To Sharon Barnes

Dear Congresswoman:

I find your claim that pregnancies that happen as a result of rape (approximately 5% of reported cases) are "blessings" interesting.

While I can understand that a child born from a rape is innocent of the violence and crime that brought him/her into the world, you didn't actually offer any plan to what should happen TO that child once he/she is born?

First, it was not the mother's choice to get pregnant.  You've already required her to carry the fetus to term, are you now simply expecting her to care for the child and raise it?   Who pays for that?

Are you also aware that in several states, the laws are written such that the rapist has parental "rights" to the child he conceived?   He can demand shared custody, visitation, AND a role in the decision-marking process for any subsequent adoption, etc.   Do you understand the impact this would have on the rape victim as she would have to re-live the experience over and over again for years?  

Your goal to eliminate all abortions might stem from your beliefs, but you have in no way done anything to handle the real issues that your intentions create; all of which also have mandates within your chosen religion.

Please let us know how you intend to rectify the problem other than offering rather useless, ill-conceived, and harmful "opinions".