A person is a human being with individuality, self-awareness, intelligence, and the ability to make moral decisions. A fertilized egg has none of these qualities. CI-100, a constitutional initiative put forth by Representative Rick Jore of Ronan, extends personhood and its rights to fertilized eggs. It pits the right to life of a living woman with all the attributes of a person against a fertilized egg with none of these attributes.

This initiative underscores the lack of respect that so many anti-abortion activists have for women, their bodies, lives and ability to make their own decisions regarding reproduction. It also attempts to insert the religious concept that life begins at conception into the Montana Constitution.

When it comes to intruding into the most intimate parts of our lives, people in the Constitution Party love the power of government. If this initiative passes, rest assured that more laws will follow to enforce protection of the "right to life" of fertilized eggs and restrict the ability of women to make appropriate decisions regarding their bodies, their health, and their lives.

Please, do not support CI 100.