An appeal to Congress to respect my choice

The Gazette's April 9 front page reported that the government shutdown was avoided at the last minute. One of the contentious issues was the government funding of Planned Parenthood, which is the nation's largest provider of abortions.

Now we are talking about how my tax money is being spent. To that I do not have a choice! However, there is a choice made (No. 1) to provide a situation for which an abortion is possible and likewise there is a choice made then (No. 2) to conclude the process for which an abortion is employed. After choice No. 1 is made, choice No. 2 is - in clear speaking - murder.

I cannot stop a person from buying a gun to shoot me, but I don't think I have to help that person pay for the instrument that he uses to shoot me.

Likewise, I do not want my tax dollars to be used for buying an instrument to end the life of my legislators, judges or president or anyone else regardless of which stage of development that person may be at or how conveniently provided the cessation of life may be.

I hope those who spend my tax dollars respect my choice to live and let live.

John Steger

Dyersville