Pissed off by Berks lawmakers’ anti-abortion putsch? You can’t get rid of them

by Steve Reinbrecht

Berks County’s state representatives split 7-2 on party lines this week to advance a bill that would further restrict abortions in Pennsylvania.

All seven Republicans who represent part of Berks voted against a motion to hold hearings on the bill:

Barry J. Jozwiak          Jerry Knowles           Gary Day

Mark Gillen                   Jim Cox

David Maloney             Ryan E. Mackenzie

Berks Democrats Mark Rozzi and Thomas R. Caltagirone voted to delay the bill and hold a public hearing.

Republicans Cox and Day are on the Health Committee and joined the 16 members who successfully voted Monday to move the bill – introduced four days earlier, on Friday, April 1 – out of the committee.

Gov. Tom Wolf is likely to veto it if it reaches his desk.

If you oppose this Tea Partyish activity by your Republican state representative, tough luck. 

All of those who represent Berks are running unopposed in the primary and general elections.

On the abortion bill, critics wonder why there is such a hurry and warn that this fast-tracked bill reflects nationwide efforts to chip away at women’s right to abort their fetuses.

According to Pennlive, the bill, if adopted, would make some of the biggest changes to abortion policy in Pennsylvania in the last 20 years.

Opponents including Planned Parenthood said it would “mark the biggest attack on abortion rights in Pennsylvania since the current Abortion Control Act took effect in 1994,” Pennlive wrote.

The ever-squeamish Reading Eagle had a wire story about the repellent subject, which included no Berks elected officials.

For their comment, Berks voters could go to Pennlive.

"One Republican member, Rep. Jim Cox of Berks County, told about he and his wife's rejections of ‘options’ doctors presented them with after a diagnosis at 20 weeks of severe health problems with one of their five children.

“Cox said they did not abort, and his family has been made the richer for it.

“ ‘To me, it's as simple as right and wrong,’ " Cox said. " ‘We should be in a position, as a legislature of creating policy that defends life, and if there's any question as to viability that should be left in God's hands.’ "

Always with the God thing – for eons, a comforting message from the powerful to the powerless – if you do what I say, the supernatural force will come to our rescue.

The Berks Democratic Party is wasted not to have anybody to oppose Republicans – they must see this opportunity – coattails are flapping.

And who’s happy with state government as it stands? What other remedy but to vote the bums out?