The Real Pro-Life Movement

Full Disclosure: My mother is a pro-life Catholic who voted for Obama. I am a pro-choice Jew who voted for Obama. Long story. Anyway, we had an interesting conversation the other day…

“President Obama removed the ban on federal funding for clinics that counsel women about abortion,” Mom said. “I wish he hadn’t done that.”

“Since Reagan,” I said, “Republican presidents institute the ban and Democratic presidents remove it. Shouldn’t surprise anyone.”

“That’s why the pro-life people are calling him the abortion president.”

“No, they’re not,” I said. “Real pro-life people are too busy creating a culture of life, working hard to help single women who find themselves pregnant. They’re like you, Mom, busy funding and volunteering with charities and other organizations that are changing minds instead of laws. The namecallers are just some people who have a lot to gain by distracting from real change and initiatives that help the people who might otherwise abort. They want to get the mouthbreathers all riled up, those sad and sorry souls who can’t think for themselves.”

“You have a point.” My mom chuckled at me.

“Take SCHIP for example,” I continued. “President Obama is right to make this a priority. This is a program that helps to fund states so they can cover uninsured children in working poor families who cannot afford health insurance. Republicans, who have yet to fully comprehend the fact that they lost, are trying to play fear-monger by claiming this attempt to cover children is really socialism in disguise.”

I shook my head.

“Who’s really pro-life?” I asked.

“Like you even have to ask.”

We clinked teacups.

…my mom, a pro-life Catholic I can get behind.

Tags: president obama, SCHIP, uninsured children