When I was a kid, even in a Bronx public school, we were taught about the 3 branches of government. Checks and balances, all that good stuff.

Over time, I have come to believe that powerful people and corporations with money have significant influence over how government actually operates. Through financial contributions and political relationships, certain individuals end up in positions of power that shape the direction of institutions like the Supreme Court.

I have never been personally comfortable with abortion. I have been involved in that decision before, and as the man, or would-be father, the weight of it was enormous. I carry it to this day. It is hard to imagine how much more that weight falls on a woman. These are deeply personal and painful moments, and I believe the Supreme Court’s recent decisions make an already difficult situation even harder for women navigating those circumstances.

One of the lasting impacts of recent administrations has been the reshaping of the Supreme Court’s ideological makeup for years to come. In this particular area, I do think that impact is real and will be felt for a long time.

I feel strongly that decisions this intimate and sensitive deserve a great deal of care and compassion, especially when it comes to women’s reproductive health.

I do not wish anything negative on any of the justices, but I do hope that future retirements align with administrations that reflect a broader range of perspectives on these issues.