In this year’s presidential election, there has been a huge debate over women’s reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood has been at the center of this controversy. For the past 100 years, Planned Parenthood has provided health care and sex education and services for millions of Americans.

Mitt Romney believes the government should stop funding the program based on the fact that the institution provides abortions, which only makes up 3 percent of the program’s services. 

The $75 million dollars in funding the government provides is strictly used for pre-preventive health care, such as cancer and STD screenings, for low-income Americans. Thus, none of America’s tax dollars goes toward the funding of abortions. 

Yet the Republican Party continues to argue the program is not necessary to the running of our country. But with one in every five women in America using Planned Parenthood’s services at least once in their lifetime, it is safe to say Planned Parenthood’s presence is needed within our communities.

In reference to the abortion issue, if one has a problem with it, then one can simply make the choice to not use such services. 

We choose our own religious beliefs, and have the right to live by them. But we do not have the right to let our religious beliefs dictate the lives of others.

I believe that this is a theme within the Republican Party. They don’t believe in homosexuality; therefore, no one else in this country may have the right to marry whomever they choose. They don’t believe in free comprehensive health care; therefore, industrialized nations like America should continue to pay 90 percent more on health care and be globally ranked 50th in life expectancy.

Our country’s strength is rooted in basic principles of freedom and equality. Planned Parenthood represents the freedom of choice. One has the choice to use or not use the program. 

As Republicans dictate women’s freedoms, I choose to support a president who believes women can make their own decisions about their health care.