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Pro-Life Update As we prepare for the upcoming elections, we must recognize our role in shaping the growing Culture of Life. During every election, voters must learn about the Pro-Life or pro-abortion convictions of the candidates for whom they vote. Those whom we vote into office will determine policies regarding embryonic stem cell research, prenatal protection, public funding of abortion (as with Planned Parenthood, which receives substantial funding from the government), parental involvement, end-of-life care, and euthanasia. Because elected leaders decide issues that affect the future of our fellow citizens and our democratic republic, voters have a moral responsibility to make an informed decision.
Please read this issue of the Pro-Life Update carefully to understand some of the challenges we now face and how you—an educated Pro-Lifer—can advance the Culture of Life. Please share this information with your family, friends, and church congregations. Make copies. Spread the news.
Voting Pro-Life: Single-Issue Voting? Often, those in the Pro-Life movement are accused of voting on just one issue—Life. We are criticized for supporting or rejecting a candidate based on his or her commitment to defend innocent life. This position, however, is defensible, in several ways.
Firstly, the Pro-Life position in itself deals with many issues. We believe in the sanctity of innocent human life from the moment of fertilization until natural death. This means that the Pro-Life movement addresses not only abortion, but also euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and much more. Unfortunately, today’s technology has introduced many more threats to innocent human life than just abortion, and a coherent view of the life issues recognizes the connection among these threats.
Secondly, life is so important. Our country was based upon the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Life is the first and foremost of these rights and is certainly necessary in order for one to enjoy any other rights. As the most basic and most essential of rights, it must be defended most arduously.
To those who accuse Pro-Lifers of single-issue voting, please share with them the following example. Imagine that there is one candidate who shares almost all your beliefs, except that they do not believe that women should be allowed to vote or that minorities should be treated equally. A belief such as this should undoubtedly be reason enough not to support this candidate! This is also true with the Life issues. Although other issues also carry great value, Life surpasses all. As Pro-Lifers, it is important to support politicians who will foster a true Culture of Life. When you are researching candidates for en election, remember this and please vote for Life!
“Morning-After Pill” Approved for Over-the-Counter Use On August 24, 2006, the FDA approved the “morning-after pill” to be sold over-the-counter–without a prescription—to women 18 years or older; children under 18 will still be required to obtain a prescription. Barr Pharmaceuticals hopes to begin nonprescription sales of the “morning-after pill” by the end of the year. This powerful concoction of hormones will be sold behind the counter at pharmacies so that pharmacists can check photo identification.
In order to receive approval, Barr needed to agree to track whether pharmacists enforce the age restriction by sending anonymous shoppers to buy the pill. The FDA has said that Barr must conduct a formal tracking at least twice in the first year of sales and then annually thereafter. Any store that does not verify the woman’s age will be reported to the state pharmacy licensing board.
The Pro-Life movement is concerned because the “morning-after pill” can act as an abortifacient if taken once fertilization has already occurred. Also, as Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, stated, “Statutory rape is a very serious problem. This decision is going to allow statutory rapists to rely on this drug to cover up their abuse.”
Planned Parenthood: Abortion is a Lucrative Business The 2004-2005 Planned Parenthood fiscal report has just recently been released, and they are still turning a profit with our tax dollars. America’s largest abortion provider reported committing 255,015 abortions in 2004 at Planned Parenthood clinics across America—an increase of over 4% from the previous year. Their presence and continued propaganda on “the importance of abortion” has enabled them to commit over 3.5 million abortions since 1970.
The abortion business is extremely lucrative. Planned Parenthood brought in a record $882 million in 2004. In 2003, about 10% of this profit was from abortion services; these numbers were not available for 2004.
Even worse, Planned Parenthood receives funding through the government—via our tax money. Over one-third of their income ($272.7 million) came from federal “Government Grants and Contracts”; in Texas, Planned Parenthood receives about $55 million. Although some of the funds are restricted to non-abortion services, each dollar received for their other services frees up more money for their abortion business.
Many people still believe that Planned Parenthood provides much-needed medical services. However, their extensive involvement in and promotion of abortion by far overshadows any other services they may provide. Planned Parenthood harms more women and destroys more families than any other organization in the United States. Yours for Life, Dr. Joseph M. Graham President |
