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First, thank you Farmville Herald for publishing verbatim responses of 10th District Republican candidates who want to represent us in the Virginia Senate.

The candidates’ responses regarding abortion law in the Commonwealth is instructive. As an Independent voter who has sometimes found the ‘D’ candidate the best choice, or the ‘R’ candidate the best choice, the responses mostly show that Republican ideological extremism may be as hideous as Democratic ideological extremism.

Thoughts on 10th District comments

Some comments describe the mother as a sort-of living machine for the gestation of the unborn infant. It is hideous to think of human persons as machines or tools. Mother and infant must be equally respected and protected. This requires that law, policy and state budgets ensure proper care for mothers and infants, shouldn’t it? I have asked many Republican electeds over the years why they fail to call for, campaign for, and vote for proper care for every mother and infant, remembering that in most of rural Virginia there is a deadly lack of locally available, accessible and affordable high quality mother and infant care. They usually don’t respond. But some have responded that rural Virginians should not expect high quality care; or that we don’t deserve high quality care that is available in wealthier communities. Let that sink in.

All candidates announced their dedication for protecting life, often quoting the Bible. But that sounds hollow when, as one candidate blamed ‘illegal immigrants’ for lack of funds to support mother and infant care, Republicans make excuses for their failures to support mothers and infants.

Furthermore, the Bible requires protection of every life including the lives, and human dignity, of everyone living in the land. ‘Illegal immigrant’ is a construction of modern nations and is not a category found in the Bible. The Hebrew law, the Hebrew prophets, Jesus of Nazareth’s parabolic and direct teaching, and the example of the early followers of Jesus confirm that all persons living in and contributing to the wellbeing of the community must be respected and protected. They are not to be shamed and blamed, herded into deportation, and certainly never subjected to violent force.

Are we not talking about this?

Speaking of violence, it is alarming that Virginia Republican leadership has nothing to say about the growing number of nominees for important roles with the incoming Administration who are implicated – by multiple sources – in sexual violence. Sexual coercion of young women, and illicit drug use in orgies (Gaetz, now dropped out); sexually abusive and coercive behavior with women, including abusive use of alcohol (Hegseth); allowing sexual abusive and violent coercion of young children – as young as 10 year old boys! – in the workplace (McMahon).

Apparently ideological and partisan extremism requires Republicans to keep silent about these horrors and hypocrisies. Republicans may hug the Bible but apparently rarely read and study it. Democrats claim other sources of their values and also frequently violate them horribly and hypocritically for the sake of power and social control. Democrats’ ideological extremism on abortion is an example.

Reliably Independent voters are more than 10% of the electorate and we are a growing proportion of voters. In close elections both ‘R’ and ‘D’ need us to win. The Party that better engages common sensible Independent voters may be rewarded. And, as always, we’ll see what happens next in the 10th District.

EDWARD STRICKLER (and husband James Schneider) retired to Farmville in 2020 but had visited Farmville many times over the years to enjoy local state parks. Edward is retired from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and is one of the most reliable advocates for rural health in the American Public Health Association. He volunteers locally with the Piedmont Health District and nationally with Braver Angels.