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NRL News
Republican Party Pro-Life Platform Language For 35 years National Right to Life has worked unceasingly to reign in the rule of abortion on demand as part of an ongoing strategy that will eventually overturn the monstrous Roe v. Wade decision authored by Justice Harry Blackmun. Operating on the principle that we’re in this to make a difference, not merely to make a statement, NRLC often works quietly behind the scenes. Take as one example the strongly pro-life language adopted by the Republican Party’s Platform Committee. NRLC sent Co-Executive Director Darla St. Martin and Political Director Karen Cross to Minneapolis to assist the committee. (See story, page one.) It was only natural that we would pay special notice now that the two terms of pro-life President George W. Bush are coming to an end. Would the GOP remain as staunchly pro-life as ever? As the relevant language (reproduced below) makes clear, not only was there no slippage, the abortion language in the 2008 Republican platform is stronger and deeper than ever. There have been stark contrasts in the past between the two political parties, but none more unmistakable than this year. “We applaud the Republican Party, and especially the members of the platform committee representing grassroots pro-life Republicans across the country, for making such a strong and unequivocal stand supporting life at all stages,” Mrs. Cross said. “The work of the platform committee makes clear, in no uncertain terms, that the Republican Party is the pro-life party.” “The Democrats have gone out of their way to alienate America’s pro-life majority by embracing the radical pro-abortion agenda of Barack Obama,” said Mrs. St. Martin. “The Republican Party has once again demonstrated that it is completely in line with the majority of Americans who oppose the vast majority of abortions.” Note how comprehensive the GOP platform language is. It steadfastly vouches support for the unborn child’s fundamental individual right to life; lauds the passage of protective language, such as the ban on partial-birth abortion; salutes women-helping organizations for their indispensable assistance in helping women to choose life; and reminds us first and foremost that “women deserve better than abortion.” There is also strong language that unequivocally states that “we oppose the non-consensual withholding of care or treatment from people with disabilities, as well as the elderly and infirm, just as we oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide, which endanger especially those on the margins of society.” Take a look at the language adopted. It is most encouraging and draws a distinction no one can miss with the language adopted by Democrats. (See “Al Gore, Call Your Office” at http://nrlc.org/News_and_Views/Aug08/nv082008.html.) The platform, as approved, states in part: Faithful to the first guarantee of the Declaration of Independence, we assert the inherent dignity and sanctity of all human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children. We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion and will not fund organizations which advocate it. We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity and dignity of innocent human life. We have made progress. The Supreme Court has upheld prohibitions against the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion. States are now permitted to extend health-care coverage to children before birth. And the Born Alive Infants Protection Act has become law; this law ensures that infants who are born alive during an abortion receive all treatment and care that is provided to all newborn infants and are not neglected and left to die. We must protect girls from exploitation and statutory rape through a parental notification requirement. We all have a moral obligation to assist, not to penalize, women struggling with the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy. At its core, abortion is a fundamental assault on the sanctity of innocent human life. Women deserve better than abortion. Every effort should be made to work with women considering abortion to enable and empower them to choose life. We salute those who provide them alternatives, including pregnancy care centers, and we take pride in the tremendous increase in adoptions that has followed Republican legislative initiatives. Respect for life requires efforts to include persons with disabilities in education, employment, the justice system, and civic participation. In keeping with that commitment, we oppose the non-consensual withholding of care or treatment from people with disabilities, as well as the elderly and infirm, just as we oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide, which endanger especially those on the margins of society. |