To the editor:

U.S. Representative Finstad received an A+ on the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America National Pro-Life Scorecard. Since Ms. Anthony is one of my heroes, I had to know more. This scorecard has one criteria – “pro-life” legislation. This organization claims Ms. Anthony as “the influential suffragette who also fiercely opposed abortion”.

Ms. Anthony’s stand on abortion could be inferred from these quotes: “Much as I deplore the horrible crime of child-murder, earnestly as I desire its suppression, I cannot believe… that such a[n anti-abortion] law would have the desired effect. It would only be mowing off the top of the noxious weed, while the root remains.” “We want prevention, not merely punishment. We must reach the root of the evil, and destroy it.”

Ms. Anthony’s life work in women’s right to vote, abolition, labor, education, and women’s rights directly impacted “root” causes and abortion “prevention”. From the Minnesota Department of Health, “From 2017-2021, the most common reason for seeking an abortion was . . . “did not want children at the time”, followed closely by . . . “declined to provide an answer”. Economic reasons and emotional and physical health were other common reasons given. Other “roots” listed: sexual violence including domestic violence and human trafficking and socioeconomic impacts of unplanned pregnancy. While Rep Finstad received credit for voting for H.R. 1 as it “would stop forced taxpayer funding of the abortion industry for one year,”programs to address root causes were negatively impacted. I’m not sure Ms. Anthony would approve. I don’t.

Beth Zabel

New Ulm