Catholics United launches “Set the Record Straight” to address “the dishonesty of many political operatives”
This received via e-mail, it does not pertain to any elected representatives of our area, but may be of interest to many of you:
Catholics United Announces New Campaign to Defend Rep. Driehaus and Rep. Boccieri from Religious Right Attacks
Organizing and Paid Media Effort will Set the Record Straight about Health Care Reform
Washington, DC – The social justice group Catholics United (www.catholics-united.org) today announced that it is mounting an innovative, multifaceted campaign to defend Rep. Steve Driehaus and Rep. John Boccieri’s voting record on health care reform and a number of other issues. The Congressmen are now facing a coordinated misinformation campaign from a host of self-proclaimed pro-life groups intended to perpetuate the misconception that the health care reform bill passed earlier this year allowed for federal funding of elective abortion. The $500,000 campaign will also be active in the districts of Kathy Dahlkempeer (PA-3), and Tom Perriello (VA-05).
Catholics United’s “Set the Record Straight” campaign will activate thousands of Catholics and other people of faith who reject the abortion funding myth and support recent congressional efforts to expand health care access, create jobs, reduce dependence on foreign oil, protect consumers, and crack down on Wall Street abuses. Paid organizers and volunteers will work in each district to monitor the religious right’s activities, educate faith leaders, and provide the media with local voices to speak on behalf of social justice issues. Catholics United will augment local organizing efforts with television, radio, and internet advertisements, phone calls, and direct mail.
“As a person of faith, I’m proud that Congress passed health care reform,” said Catholics United member Pat Mallory, a constituent of Congressman Steve Driehaus and resident of the White Oak neighborhood of Cincinnati. “Health care reform will help millions of uninsured Americans obtain access to health insurance while also providing pregnant women and their children the help they need.”
The Catholics United effort comes in direct response to advertising campaigns currently underway by Republican-affiliated groups such as the Susan B. Anthony List, Family Research Council, National Right to Life Committee, and Republican National Campaign Committee. These groups’ ads ignore the findings of health care policy experts and independent news analyses which show that abortion funding is prohibited by both the legislation and a subsequent presidential executive order.
In one recent high-profile example, the National Right to Life Committee and Susan B. Anthony List claimed that the federal government was funding elective abortions through high-risk pools in Pennsylvania. The allegations were widely discredited by media fact-checks.
“Catholics and other people of faith are frustrated by the dishonesty of many political operatives who oppose reform of our nation’s outdated economic and social policies,” said Chris Korzen, executive director of Catholics United. “Instead of an open and honest dialogue about how best to meet the challenges of the 21st century, these groups are engaging in scare tactics and misusing the language of faith to score cheap political points and lead voters astray.”
Catholics United’s “Set the Record Straight” campaign is an expansion of its earlier efforts to inform people of faith about the true nature of health care reform. In March, it ran television ads in eight Congressional districts challenging the false claim that health care reform included abortion funding. After the vote, the organization ran thank-you ads in the districts of four Members of Congress who were under pressure from the religious right for voting yes.
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Catholics United is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting the message of justice and the common good found at the heart of the Catholic Social Tradition. This is accomplished through online advocacy and educational activities. For more information, visit www.catholics-united.org.
Catholics United, social justice – says it all right there.
Obamacare is all about government control of our lives, it has nothing to do with reforming our healthcare system. We are a free society. Government has no right stealing from one person and giving it to someone else. As a person of Catholic faith I am ashamed of this Catholics United group. They do not speak for me. More and more people are realizing the nightmare obamacare will be.
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/69384
from the article
“The fact that the high-risk pool insurance program in Pennsylvania will use federal taxpayer dollars to fund abortions is unconscionable,” Boehner said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Just last month at the White House, I asked President Obama to provide the American people with a progress report on the implementation of his Executive Order, which purports to ban taxpayer-funding of abortions. Unfortunately, the President provided no information, and the American people are still waiting for answers.”
Hey Catholics United, where is the report?????
What a disingenious group of Catholics in name only with a liberal, progressive agenda.
July 23rd, 2010 at 2:32 pmI am a devout Catholic and am disgusted by these people. They have perverted biblical teaching to support their radical agenda. Charity comes from the individual, not when government confiscates from some and gives to others. Abortion is incidious and is America’s second big sin (our original sin being slavery). New Mexico and Pennsylvania are apparently already trying to make taxpayers cover abortions. Murdering unborn children for the convenience of irresponsible adults is about the worst thing I can think of.
July 23rd, 2010 at 2:41 pmWell, I’d recommend reading their website if you are interested in it. I’d also recommend reading Politifact – they have several articles on this topic, including a very recent one – (link) where some of the claims being made are fact checked.
Even this New American article states that Obama’s Executive Order is being followed, though they are not certain if they agree with Politifact or think it’s a matter of once this came to light it was then addressed.
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:00 pmI’d also add Patrick that I’m not sure you understand the basis on which this group was formed considering your comments – if you have not done so – you may want to read U.S. Catholic Bishops’ 2003 document Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility. here.
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:07 pmThank you for the links Lisa. I am not into social justice. It is just code language for wealth redistribution. If the fact check is correct and PA is not using taxes for abortions, then I am glad. That is why I used “apparently” above because I had only heard it but have not had time to look into it. Especially interesting that this is coming up during a supreme court confirmation. Hopefully the loudness coming from my side of the aisle is inaccurate and taxes are never used for abortions.
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:31 pmAn executive order is not worth the paper it’s signed on. We were also told “if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor.” We are hearing a very different story on that. How about no one making under $250,000.00 will have their taxes raised? Well tell that to people that use tanning facilities. Remember what Nancy Pelosi said, “We have to pass the bill to see what’s in it.”
From Lifenews.com
“It has quietly approved a plan submitted by an appointee of pro-abortion Governor Edward Rendell under which the new program will cover any abortion that is legal in Pennsylvania.
The high-risk pool program is one of the new programs created by the sweeping health care legislation, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, President Obama signed into law on March 23. The law authorizes $5 billion in federal funds for the program, which will cover as many as 400,000 people when it is implemented nationwide.”
http://www.thefoxnation.com/health-care/2010/07/13/1st-taxpayer-funded-abortions-approved-under-obamacare
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:53 pmThe health care issue and the concern over abortion is one that Catholics were split on. I’d also recommend this Politico article on the release from Catholics United. I’m a Catholic too Patrick, I don’t personally support abortion, though I’m also not sure that I have the right to demand others respect my beliefs when it comes to their own personal decision as to is abortion murder. Most private health insurance policies do pay for abortions, so this is an issue that is going to have to be monitored carefully when federal dollars are used to pay for health insurance. If it creates separate policies where those using federal dollars to get health insurance are not able to use it for abortions, it is going to create some concern that other services that private pay or employer paid insurance policies include are not also not included.
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:56 pmPam, there are a variety of stories out there with quotes from politicians and others, which is why Catholics United and others are trying to get the facts out there. What is being reported is not accurate as the links I’ve shared indicate.
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:58 pmI think this group should define its terms. i.e., please define “religious right”. An assumption is being made here (absent that defining) that we all agree on what “religious right” means.
Don’t these particular Catholics consider themselves to be religious? If they do, then aren’t they the “religious left”. If they don’t consider themselves to be religious, then would they accept the title “godless left?”
Further than that – if they are referring to protestants, then say so. That of course would be religious bigotry.
When this group uses “religious right” do they include other Catholics who know and believe scripture, and on that basis oppose killing the unborn in the uterus?
I mean seriously – they use “religious right” as a pejorative, without defining their terms to begin with. In other words they throw out “religious right” as a pejorative, but don’t explain why they consider people who believe scripture, worship God and oppose abortion because of that – why these people are automatically “bad” because liberals choose to code-call them “religious right”. This is an uneducated liberal trick. We need to start forcing people and groups to define their terms. That’s how you get to the heart of anybody’s agenda.
July 23rd, 2010 at 4:29 pmThe same thing is done with liberals as well as far as the labeling without defining their terms, which is why I suggested people actually visit the website before making an assumption.
Which if one actually reads the material and the links provided, this group is not saying they support the killing of the unborn, they are saying that there is a great deal of misinformation being used to campaign against officials they support on the issue of federal dollars being used for abortion. Their release is very clear on that no where do they state they support abortion.
July 23rd, 2010 at 4:39 pmPatrick is right on abortion being a national sin, as was slavery.
The entire Civil War was fought on the basis of the Union demanding that the Confederate States respect AND FOLLOW the Northern States beliefs on enslaving other human beings.
July 23rd, 2010 at 4:46 pmAdultery is a sin as well, it’s still legal. The issue here is not how we as individuals feel about abortion, it is legal, the issue is the attempts to mislead those who are opposed to abortion that federal funding is going to be used to pay for abortions.
The additional issue is how do we create a system where federal dollars are used to acquire health insurance that prevents federal funding used for elective abortions but also provides people with the health care they deserve access for without creating a two tiered substandard system.
July 23rd, 2010 at 4:58 pmLisa,
Thank you for trying so hard to get people the facts on this. The whipped up right is just wrong. I too am a Catholic. I am pro-life. The Executive Orders of George Bush were ok for my friends in church (i.e. Stem Cell Research) but not the one THIS President signs. What is different do you think?
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:53 pmThat’s a good question Jake. It’s easier to want to believe the worst in those you are not aligned with and to assume those you are aligned with are always right. The path to facts at times makes you unpopular with both sides.
July 23rd, 2010 at 7:38 pmThis discussion is an excellent example of why this country was founded with an emphasis on government not endorsing any religious belief or creed over another. Lisa is right, the hypocrisy of the issue is hard to escape. As much as abortion may be a horrible choice faced by women the same national energy is not placed towards ending adultery or divorce , hunger, domestic violence or any number of other points touched on by numerous faiths.
Social justice is not wealth redistribution. The larger question is why are there so few with such great wealth and so many struggling to survive? That speaks to inequality and exploitation. There was a reason Roosevelt busted the trusts.
There is a fundamental truth about health care that runs directly opposed to business. The oath is first do no harm. Not ask for insurance card, check pre-authorization, run credit check or take payment.
When we allowed health care to be something that we make millions in profits from we immediately began trading on people’s lives.
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:54 pmI KNOW JOHN BOCCIERI ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, AND HE IS A VERY CARING AND WONDERFUL PERSON. HE IS A VETERAN RETIRED FROM THE US AIR FORCE WITH THE RANK OF MAJOR/0-5, IS A MEMBER OF THE VFW SERVED IN THE MIDDLE EAST, IN BOTH WARS WAS A PILOT FLYING THE WORK HORSE OF THE AIR FORCE ….THE C-130.. AND NOW SERVES HIS DISTRICT IN CONGRESS..WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM THIS MAN
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:34 pmI don’t think that abortion has to be argued from a religious angle. You can be an atheist and still think that unborn children have rights based on common sense and respect for life. I would hope that even those who support abortion could understand why other people don’t want to pay for abortions.
July 24th, 2010 at 10:59 amWell I read the link… where to start. First they call themselves a “social justice” group, and then proceed to refer to pro-lifers as “self-proclaimed” pro life groups. For subtle back-handed slaps, they’re good, I’ll give them that. That intentional insult-phrasing right there demonstrates they have no respect for pro lifers. I say, in return, they are a “self-proclaimed” social justice group.
Further, if Kathy Dahlkemper wants to refute the following:
http://www.lifenews.com/nat6531.html
… then I would be interested to hear her explain how Gov. Rendell’s high risk pool (or whatever they are going to call it in PA) will be prevented from using federal dollars to fund killing the unborn in PA. She needs to speak for herself on this, she needs to offer proof that this is not the plan, as she is the one running for the office.
July 24th, 2010 at 12:49 pmThe George Soros connection to this group:
http://www.catholicleague.org/release.php?id=1496
July 24th, 2010 at 1:01 pmThis from wiki defining social justice:
Social justice is also a concept that some use to describe the movement towards a socially just world. In this context, social justice is based on the concepts of human rights and equality and involves a greater degree of economic egalitarianism through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or even property redistribution. These policies aim to achieve what developmental economists refer to as more equality of opportunity than may currently exist in some societies, and to manufacture equality of outcome in cases where incidental inequalities appear in a procedurally just system.
July 24th, 2010 at 3:16 pmThat is the second part of the definition – I’d recommend also reading the first – link – emphasis mine:
Social justice is the application of the concept of justice on a social scale. The term appeared before the 1800s,[1] including in the Federalist Papers (#7, referring only to State laws that caused breach of private contracts between private parties amongst said States [2] ) and Edward Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The idea was elaborated by the moral theologian John A. Ryan, who initiated the concept of a living wage. Father Coughlin also used the term in his publications in the 1930s and the 1940s. The concept was further expanded upon by John Rawls beginning in the 1960s. It is a part of Catholic social teaching, Social Gospel from Episcopalians and is one of the Four Pillars of the Green Party upheld by green parties worldwide. Some tenets of social justice have been adopted by those on the left of the political spectrum.
July 24th, 2010 at 3:27 pmAs a protestant I have a right to my own beliefs and am not bound by anyone else. I know people who are pro life, pro choice and those who do not care. It is a very personal choice, legal by definition, and not a sin to me personally.
Social justice is what we should all be striving for in our country and the world. It is the rock that the church is built upon.
But if you as Catholics believe differently you have that absolute right to believe what you think is right. Just don’t ask me to believe also.
I do not want any political party mixing religion into the pot. I go to church for my religious needs.
July 24th, 2010 at 3:31 pmJACKIE…YOU HIT A GRAND SLAM HOME RUN WITH YOUR POST ON NUMBER 22..ITS NO ONES BUSINESS WHAT A WOMEN DOES…IT IS HER OWN BODY AND BETWEEN HER AND HER DOCTOR
July 24th, 2010 at 3:38 pmNo, the Rock that the Church is built upon is the Lord Jesus Christ. What God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit say is sin – IS sin.
And Jackie, this isn’t a Catholic v. Protestant issue – it is and right v. wrong issue. If you read the Catholic League link in #19, you will see that they pull no punches in repudiating “Catholics United”.
July 24th, 2010 at 4:13 pmThe rock upon which the church is built is the Lord who told us to go into the world and preach the gospel i.e. love one another. Doesn’t say anything about abortion being a sin like slavery.
Please understand I admire those who believe strongly in whatever religion they belong to. But you have not the right to tell me if I believe differently that I am wrong.
The Lord died on the cross for me so I am free of original sin. And any church that has an outreach mission is doing His work for social justice.
July 24th, 2010 at 4:28 pmFrom our most nationally known FORMER abortion doctor:
http://www.aboutabortions.com/Confess.html
July 24th, 2010 at 4:28 pmEven a former leader of planned parenthood has come around http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/planned-parenthood-clinic-director-joins-anti-abortion-group/story?id=8999720
July 24th, 2010 at 6:04 pmAbortion is not just some casual choice. A baby has a heartbeat, a brainwave, and a thumbprint after 3 weeks gestation. The woman called Jane Roe in the famous case is also now regretful of her decision. Roe vs. Wade is a good example of why judicial activism is a serious thing. There is certainly no right to murder children in the Bill of Rights.
All you folks with strong feelings about abortion. You have an absolute right to believe as you wish.
What you do not have it the right to make everyone believe as you.
People have a right to change how they feel on this or any issue. But you do not have the right to expect anyone else to change their feelings because someone else did.
It is very personal with each individual. Let it be.
July 24th, 2010 at 6:13 pmAbortion is legal – debating those of us who have personal feelings towards or against abortion has nothing to do with this situation, where a group that does not support abortion is trying to make sure the truth is out there to combat misinformation that the federal government is going to pay for elective abortions through insurers.
People should be concerned about the misinformation and also about what we don’t know — how will a dual system of insurance be created since most private insurance plans do pay for elective abortions.
July 24th, 2010 at 6:17 pmMisinformation on this subject is always going to be out there since this is an issue people feel strongly about. Trying to cut to the truth is going to be quite a challenge. As long as there is a campaign to spread untrue rumors this is only going to fester more.
Almost all insurance policies people have through their work or even private policies cover elective abortion today. And I did not know that till just recently.
I again state that I do not want religion mixed with politics. I have a place I go on Sundays for my faith.
July 24th, 2010 at 7:49 pmJackie, I wholeheartedly agree with you.
How is it that a Faith can aggressively concern themselves with a legal act, abortion, yet turn a blind eye to an illegal act, the pedophiles running rampant in the Priesthood, and act as tho is isn’t happening? So the Catholics believe in sparing a child’s life only to have it sexually abused when it’s old enough?
You God-fearing zealots just keep your Belief-laden Hypocracy out of the Government and focus on cleaning up your Religion.
July 25th, 2010 at 6:50 amThis group absolutely has the right to express their views. They should not try to represent all Catholics, because they don’t. Brian and Jackie, should murder not be outlawed either since it is based on the 10 commandments? Most of our laws are founded on judeo-christian beliefs. People found a way to manage before Roe vs. Wade. There were also a lot less illegitimate children back then. Maybe people just made better decisions?? What an interesting idea! Personal responsibility is very undervalued these days.
July 25th, 2010 at 1:14 pmI realize it is difficult when abortion is part of the issue to not discuss our personal feelings on abortion. However, as I’ve stated several times during the course of this discussion. Abortion is legal — the misinformation being put out there that federal dollars are involved where they are not and how we separate private insurance policy coverage that allows abortion to be used for those who need federal assistance in obtaining abortion should be the focus.
July 25th, 2010 at 2:12 pmPatrick W 32
“Thou shalt not Kill” is a commandment from God and most of you know I think if it is wrong to kill it is wrong to kill in the name of the government. I have been against the death penalty for decades.
I went to school with people who died from back street abortions. They have always been around just not legal.
Again, I do not want politics mixing with religion. I strongly believe in the separation of church and state.
I do believe in personal responsibility. But there are times we need government’s help.
Everyone has a right to their own beliefs. What they do not have is the right to tell someone else what to believe.
July 25th, 2010 at 2:14 pmSo if politics and religion shouldn’t mix, then murder should be legal since the laws on murder are based on religion? Stealing should be legal also, since the laws on theft come from religion? I certainly hope that no one believes this. Abortion wasn’t a political matter until it was made one in the 70’s by liberal supreme court justices. Jackie, I would like to understand how you are against the death penalty but are for abortion. You want to kill babies but don’t want to execute people like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer? Seems bizarre to me. Just to be clear, I am against both. I used to support the death penalty but have shifted away from it.
July 25th, 2010 at 5:40 pmPatrick W 35
I never said I was for abortion. I said it is legal and I do not have a right to tell anyone else what to believe. Quite a difference.
Some things are from common law and others common sense. We probably aren’t as far apart as you think. I look at things through eyes that have seen many decades. You, I bet, are looking through young eyes.
July 25th, 2010 at 6:05 pmPatrick,
Kudo’s to your beliefs, but they’re not my beliefs.
And you’re welcome of my not shoving what I believe down your throat.
I think if religions want to get involved with government policies, I think they need to give up that tax-exempt status.
July 25th, 2010 at 7:58 pmI think it’s great Pam is echoing Glenn Beck’s social justice attack. No doubt she had no idea she was against those central teachings of Christ until Beck informed her. I wonder what other central Christian teachings she’ll be against once Beck tells her to be so.
July 25th, 2010 at 8:49 pmThe topic here is who is telling the truth about funding of abortions.
If the group wanted to take religion out of the discussion they would have named themselves something else.
That being said, I often ask any person of faith what exactly are you doing to improve the lives of those less fortunate than you. Isn’t that a basic tenet of all religions?
July 25th, 2010 at 9:17 pmI am 29 Jackie, so you are right on my youthfulness. I base everything on my life experience and common sense. We may not be so far apart. I do not want Catholic teaching or any other specific faith running the government or anything like that. I have no problem recognizing that America is basically a Christian nation. I believe deeply in “endowed by our creator,” meaning that our rights come from God and not government. I hope that you get where I am coming from in not wanting my taxes to go to abortion. However, I am sure there are a lot of people who would say the same about their taxes going to Iraq.
July 26th, 2010 at 9:07 amFrom Patrick – “I have no problem recognizing that America is basically a Christian nation.” How do you figure this? You go and quote “endowed by our creator”…
Every religion has a creation myth; I don’t see how this makes us anymore Christian than Jewish or Sikh nation.
How many times does the constitution mention Jesus?
July 26th, 2010 at 10:29 amJim,
Your saul alinsky tactics are not working.
Stay on topic and quit making other posters the issue. Read Lisa’s rules on posting.
Lisa, please give Jim a refresher course.
July 26th, 2010 at 11:47 amSensor,
July 26th, 2010 at 12:34 pmIf creation is a myth, then please explain Earth and the entire universe to me. I would like details regarding how planets stay on their orbitals, how life started, and why each person is so unique. Creation is far off of the topic. I don’t want to pay for murders, plain and simple. If you are arrogant enough to not believe in God in some way, then I hope he shows mercy on you. I’m sure your explanation of planet rotation and their orbital path will be brilliant.
I’ve already asked that you all try to remain close to the topic, several of you are straying.
July 26th, 2010 at 12:45 pmSorry Lisa, I know it’s like herding cats some days.
Patrick, I’d love to talk planetary and gravitation physics with you, science is a passion of mine, but we’ll have to wait till Lisa starts another open thread.
July 26th, 2010 at 1:19 pmSee link in #18 – How, then, is it “misinformation” that federal taxpayer dollars are not going to be used for abortions in PA.
As for remaining close to the topic, besides that link, the Catholic Leage link I also provided indicates that Catholics Unites are pro-abortion. You keep saying that they do not support abortion. The Catholic League disagrees in very strong terms with that assessment. What about that?
And the parallels with the slavery “question” are excruciatingly, painfully obvious. Here is what a southern plantation owner might have said in the 1860’s [copied from a comment above on abortion]
“All you folks with strong feelings about abortion. You have an absolute right to believe as you wish.
What you do not have it the right to make everyone believe as you.
People have a right to change how they feel on this or any issue. But you do not have the right to expect anyone else to change their feelings because someone else did.
It is very personal with each individual. Let it be.”
We, none of us would agree with that on slavery would we now? We none of us would concur with the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision, would we now? And none of us would have told Martin Luther King Jr. that he could not talk about God or religion or preach civil rights from church pulpits, would we now? So much for calling pro-lifers hypocrites.
July 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pmCorrection – in the quote above, had intended to substitute the word “slavery” for the word “abortion”.
If people should always be allowed to keep something legal that is morally wrong, then the Civil War should not have been fought. That’s so simple a ten-year-old could understand it. The Dred Scot decision was scrapped. Roe v Wade will one day be scrapped. And by the way – isn’t the Arizona immigration law being fought by this White House – and on MORAL grounds??? That is all in answer to the “it’s the law” point. “It’s the law” is of NO interest to liberals when it’s a law they don’t like.
July 26th, 2010 at 1:30 pm“Truth”seeker-
One – NO I know is “Pro-abortion”, we’re pro-choice and think that the decision should be between a woman and her doctor.
Two – The White house isn’t fighting the AZ law on “Moral” grounds. It’s fighting it on the constitutional grounds that individual states can’t enact and/or enforce their own immigration laws.
July 26th, 2010 at 1:37 pmChoice to do what? Kill a baby. And the baby had what “choice” in the matter?
I could post reams of stuff by Dr. Nathanson (above), who is more knowledgeable on this issue than anyone posting here. One of his memorable comments was that when NARAL was plotting strategy early on, someone suggested the phrase “It’s a woman’s choice” and everybody around that conference table laughed out loud, because (Nathanson’s description) none of them thought the American public would ever buy something so transparently stupid.
The Arizona law is “the law”, therefore by the “it’s the law” reasoning, it should never be overturned or discussed – everybody should just have their opinion and be left alone.
July 26th, 2010 at 1:56 pmAbortion is legal.
This thread is not about changing the law on abortion, it is about how the new healthcare system will be able to use private insurers, that for the most part do cover elective abortions, without using federal funding.
July 26th, 2010 at 1:59 pmLisa is right…abortion is legal.
It is a medical procedure. If only other more costly, less effective medical procedures had been/would be discussed with this much interest, everyone’s healthcare bills would be lower today.
Geeze, I hate being a realist.
mj
ps…Ya know, the healthcare system, even the Cathoilc one would be obligated to treat (and cover) the client after a botched abortion.
July 26th, 2010 at 3:29 pmLots of immoral things are legal. If the morality of this murder were not a NATIONAL continuing argument – there would be NO REASON for “Catholics United” to do anything on behalf of select congressional candidates on this topic. You can’t slice and dice and separate Catholics United and the misinformation they are spreading from the reasons they are doing so. The Catholic League says this is a leftist group who, among other things, accepts money from what Catholic League calls a religious bigot, George Soros, in order to fight pro-lifers. This is all very pertinent to the question of whether “Catholics United” is telling the truth, for one thing. And pertinent to the question of why Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania is not producing evidence that taxpayer dollars are/are not going to be used for abortions in Pennsylvania.
I posted a link in #18 that indicates that Catholics United is not telling the truth on this topic – nobody has responded to that. Nobody has posted anything by Dahlkemper of PA refuting it. Pro lifers are also frustrated by dishonesty, when it comes to this topic.
July 26th, 2010 at 5:09 pmI’ve posted the information from Politifact that disputes the claims made. This is why it would have been nice to have remained on topic.
July 26th, 2010 at 6:51 pmSaul Alinsky, Pam? Another Glenn Beck talking point. If you come up with your own thoughts lemme know…
July 26th, 2010 at 7:20 pmCatholics who are part of this thread should remember that there’s room for a diversity of opinions about how best to represent the social justice teachings of our church in public policy. It’s important for us to have an open and honest conversation about the issues of our day. We don’t have to agree, but we do have to respect one another and do our best to be truthful at all times.
We cross a line when we start calling those who disagree with us bad Catholics, and when we allow our politics to determine our faith.
To those on this thread who are casting stones at our organization, I encourage you to do some actual truth seeking of your own. Catholic League president Bill Donohue earns more than $350,000 per year spouting political propaganda. He knows that Catholics United has never received a dime from Mr. Soros, as well as the fact that Mr. Soros has donated generously to Catholic Charities. Regardless, Donohue insists on perpetuating these falsehoods.
In this respect, Mr. Donohue has much in common with those who insist that the health care reform act will fund abortion. The experts agree that it will not, and as far as I can tell, the only ones who believe otherwise have a vested political interest in cementing the abortion funding myth in the public mind. Indeed, the National Republican Congressional Committee was one of the first organizations to announce a campaign to exploit this myth in the upcoming elections. Other so-called “pro-life” groups merely followed the NRCC’s lead.
Chris Korzen
July 27th, 2010 at 4:48 pmExecutive Director
Catholics United
Thanks for commenting Chris as well as providing some information to help further combat some of the misinformation out there about Catholics United.
July 27th, 2010 at 5:19 pm