Positive Alternatives Act a Triumph for Women and Their Unborn Babies

I am no longer much of a science fiction reader, but thinking back these many decades later I remember how common the theme of parallel [ or alternative] universes was. As I understand it, nowadays this device is more prevalent than ever (especially in fantasy) and is especially helpful is sliding over what are obvious logical paradoxes.

I couldn't help thinking of this literary genre when I stumbled across a story that appeared in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the home town paper in the city in which I grew up. For those of who followed the subject of the story, titled, "Finding common ground on the abortion divide," your first thought is to wonder whether the writer occupies the same time-space continuum that we do. (To be fair, the story does have many good components.)

The writer of the October 7 piece, Maura Lerner, would have you believe that "Traditional foes on the abortion issue joined forces on a new program helping pregnant women." Really?

Now it is quite true and eminently logical that if pro- and anti-life forces could agree on anything, it would seem to be the "Positive Alternatives Act" passed in 2005 and signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. And it is also true that the law was "eventually embraced" by pro- and anti-life forces. What's the rest of the story?

The law was/is intended to help pregnant women in need. As Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) explains on its website, the act "makes service grants available to life-affirming organizations that provide direct care to pregnant women and their unborn children and provide referrals for services. Those services include medical attention, nutritional support, housing assistance, adoption services, education and employment assistance, and parenting education and support."

The story in the Star-Tribune was pegged to how the nearly $5 million dollars (over two years) was beginning to be distributed. We learn "37 groups have won two-year grants to provide free cribs and car seats, or run 24-hour pregnancy hotlines, or provide temporary housing and other assistance to pregnant women. It also helps them after the baby is born."

But pro-abortion forces fought the legislation tooth and nail. One pro-abortion group quoted in the story is described as "neutral" of the Positive Alternative Act. It may or may not be neutral now, but when the legislation teetered on the brink of failure, that group joined others in behind the scenes strategizing to try to ensure that the law failed.

In that peculiarly logic-challenged manner that is their wont, pro-abortionists in Minnesota were incensed that a measure to help women carry their children to term couldn't dispense money to organizations that actually perform or "directly refer" women for abortions. Recall, by the way, that pro-abortion groups nationwide receive hundreds of millions of dollars from state and federal authorities each and every year.

Pro-women and children forces compromised, as the story indicates. Thus, one group that "considers itself supportive of abortion rights and doesn't try to sway clients one way or the other" nonetheless "won a $145,215 grant to expand its prenatal and counseling services to pregnant teenagers."

How and/or why? "We're working with girls who have already made that decision," the executive director told the Star-Tribune.

But aside from giving pro-abortion forces far more credit than they were due, Lerner does an excellent, excellent job of showing how having resources in a time of crisis helps women avert abortions. Many/most of the organizations who are receiving grants apparently worked previously on far smaller budgets with virtually all volunteers. However, with a grant made possible by the Positive Alternatives Act, one center is adding four new staffers and hopes to reach many more women than the 80 clients per month they currently serve, the Star Tribune reports.

And what good work they do! According to Lerner, "The center offers free pregnancy tests and a sympathetic ear to clients. Counselors often take on the role of problem-solvers. Need maternity clothes? Check the closet. A vacuum cleaner? They'll find one. Help paying the utilities? They'll make a call."

The story concludes with two paragraphs which tell you all you need to know about the two sides to the abortion debate.

"I don't think this is going to prevent abortions," said Connie Perpich, the chief lobbyist of Planned Parenthood's Minnesota chapter. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to believe what she really meant is that she hopes it doesn't.

"Others say it's a start," writes Lerner. She then quotes Scott Fischbach, MCCL's executive director.

"The idea of helping these centers reach more women is a very simple concept," Fischbach said. "But the impact is going to be great."

If you have any comments or questions, please write Dave Andrusko at dadandrusko@nrlc.org.