Prop A’s Misuse of Comtstock + RICO Acts
Letters from an ARFA conservative
As a God-fearing man, a husband of 50 years, a father, and a proud grandfather, I have seen a lot in my time. I've witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly in our great country. But nothing troubles me more than the government sticking its nose where it doesn't belong—especially when it comes to our families. The Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn ordinance, now being called Prop A, in Amarillo is one such overreach, and it’s tearing at the very fabric of what holds our communities together.
This ordinance uses big, fancy federal laws like the RICO Act and the Comstock Act to pit neighbors against each other, encouraging folks to sue their fellow citizens over deeply personal choices. Now, I may not be a lawyer, but I know when something just ain't right. These laws were never meant to be used this way, and this misuse is dangerous, plain and simple.
The Bible says, "A house divided against itself cannot stand" (Mark 3:25). When we turn on each other like this, we’re not just harming our neighbors—we’re tearing our families apart. This ordinance threatens to divide us, driving a wedge between good, decent folks over a tragedy that should remain private.
Let’s talk about RICO, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. This law was made to go after the Mafia, the real bad guys. But this ordinance tries to use it against people who are simply trying to help someone access healthcare. That’s not just wrong; it’s a betrayal of the law’s intent. Abortion providers and the folks who help distribute medical pills aren’t criminals, and they certainly aren’t mobsters. Trying to label them as such is a gross misuse of power.
And then there’s the Comstock Act, a law from the 1800s that’s older than my grandparents and just as outdated. This law was originally meant to keep "obscene" materials out of the mail. But let’s be honest—times have changed. Using this old law to criminalize the distribution of abortion pills is like trying to fix a modern car with a horse-drawn wagon. It just doesn’t make sense.
The Bible also teaches us, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged" (Matthew 7:1). Encouraging folks to sue their neighbors over these matters is not only judgmental, but it’s also a dangerous step toward a society where we’re always looking over our shoulders, wondering who might come after us next.
Our government is supposed to protect our freedoms, not take them away. Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn ordinance is an attempt to control what we do with our own lives and bodies, and it’s just plain wrong. It goes against the very principles this country was founded on—freedom, privacy, and the right to live our lives without unnecessary government interference.
As a grandfather, I worry about the world we’re leaving behind for the next generation. I want my grandchildren to grow up in a country where they’re free to make their own choices, where the government doesn’t reach into their personal lives or turn them against their each other. This ordinance doesn’t just hurt women; it hurts our families too. It’s not just about abortion—it’s about government overreach, and that’s something we should all be concerned about.
The Lord calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), not to turn them into enemies. Voting "No" on Prop A is about more than just stopping a bad law; it’s about protecting our families, our communities, and our freedoms. Let’s stand together against this dangerous overreach and keep our government in check.
So when you head to the polls this November, remember what’s at stake.
