Pro-Life Rita, Part 2
Unfortunately for me, I have lived through the murders of over 40 million innocent Americans. Funny, right up to the 1960's, abortion was generally considered the illegal option of degenerates and low life. But things changed. Many of the people who would say abortion was wrong in the 60's began to waffle in the 70's. The great debates back then about the pre-born being human or not are no longer an issue. Today abortion is what it has been all along – last resort birth control.
In the 1970's the Supreme Court took on the responsibility that parliaments took in Europe. At least there was some debate in Europe, admittedly with the same result as here. At least if Congress had taken on the issue there would have been hearings and debates and politicians have to put their futures on the line with a vote. Something the Supreme Court does not have to worry about.
We sometimes get nasty-grams from our friends, not our enemies, about how stupid or naïve we at the PAC are. But that's not a fair assessment. I vividly remember the Goldwater for President campaign in the early 60's. And what a shock to watch Republicans, including Bill Scranton from my own state of Pennsylvania, sink any possibility of Goldwater's election. I remember vividly George Wallace saying that there is not a dime's worth of difference between the major parties back in 1968. Then we watched the newly elected conservative President Richard Nixon trade his rhetoric for politics as usual.
The nature of politics in this country is a "duocracy", as Joe Sobran puts it. Just hug the middle of the road, wherever that may be. That is where most of the votes are. Sticking out your neck, on any issue, gains a few votes and loses others. It is safer, for both parties, to campaign on personalities rather than issues.
That is where third parties have come in. They cannot campaign on personalities because no one has heard of their candidates. They emphasize issues. Yes, they usually lose, especially at the state and national level. It is often a shame to see these disillusioned stalwarts after a defeat. Especially when they knew that their chances of winning were non-existent. They forget that they kept issues alive that the major parties wanted to bury. But third parties are not enough – especially on the Life issue.
When I wrote the first Pro-Life Rita essay, just before the governor's race here in Pennsylvania, I figured it would stir things up a little. Just a little stir, among friends who love babies. I figured our "lesser of two evils" friends would be upset. (You see almost everyone associated with the PAC was a "lesser of two evils" type at least sometime in our long and depressing excursion in politics.) . Not among our enemies, they would probably ignore us, like they usually do.
Then along came Leo Robert. You have heard that line, "once a Marine, always a Marine"? Well it sure fits Leo. He took the Pro-Life Rita idea and pushed it with the tenacity of Generals Butler, Puller, Krulac and Walt combined. I picture Leo living in a fairly large tent with a solar powered PC eating cold C-rations and sleeping every few days. He must have an address book the size of the Philadelphia phone book. Someone told me he was behind the Buchanan campaign in Pennsylvania. I am surprised that Pat did not take the state!
Almost immediately the hits on our web site went through the roof. I guess people were reading my little tidbit and hopefully the other essays by our Board. And Leo took a lot of flak as he busily sent my article around the world. The third party crew seemed to see the wisdom right away. The "lesser of two evils" bunch was understandably skeptical. Leo even fielded tons of questions beautifully.
In a matter of weeks national "pro-life" organizations responded. Probably because their supporters were confused. Some joined on and some did not. This was no real surprise. Then articles began to appear attempting to scuttle the 100% position. Father Pavone's article was probably the most widely circulated. An excellent article by a deservedly well respected priest. In years past, I would have agreed with him. But compromise simply does not work. You can field all of the wonderful theological arguments you wish. The fact remains, let me repeat, It Does Not Work!
I admit it does make you feel good that you voted for the guys that your favorite pro-life group claimed to be pro-life (they usually mean lesser of two evils). But did you ever do a little research and contact one or more of those organizations to find out how the candidate has voted on Life issues? No? Maybe you should start by finding out how the Republican appointed Supreme Court justices have voted on life issues since Roe v. Wade. I know, just give me the little card… I won't have to think.
Leo was unbelievable. He emailed my article to the Fisher campaign headquarters. Fisher was the Republican candidate for governor here in Pennsylvania. Leo got an hysterical reply from the fellow, who I figure, was in charge of keeping the Catholics and pro-lifers from jumping ship. This fellow essentially used the lesser of two evils arguments. He kept repeating how bad Rendell, the Democrat, was. He was quite correct. Rendell is the governor now!
You see, some time ago Bob Casey, a Democrat, ran for governor in Pennsylvania. His pro-life views were pretty unpopular with the party Democrats so pro-lifers had to secretly infiltrate his campaign because the Dems were sitting on the sidelines. They didn't really support him, mostly because he was "anti-abortion". But the word was passed to the grass roots pro-lifers that he was their man and they worked hard for him undercover. Casey won big time!
But Fisher did not learn. Life was, and is, never an important issue to either party. Fisher lost badly. As a matter of fact, most Catholics voted for Rendell! Did our Pro-Life Rita campaign cause Fisher's defeat? I doubt it. Fisher got beaten so badly that we could not have, in my most optimistic moment, have influenced so many votes.
You Republican spies who read this web site take note! Back in the late 1960's when my wife ran for county treasurer, I was a poll watcher. It was a great experience. When the regular tallies were recorded, one of the drones from the election board asked the judge of elections if they should count the write-ins. Before he could answer, I shouted, "By all means!" It was obvious that they did not usually count them. And I doubt that many, if any election officials, Democrat or Republican, counted Pro-Life Rita write-ins. That means that neither party knows for sure the Rita impact in Pennsylvania. That is just perfect!
If the Republicans think that we cost them the election that is great – even if it is not true. Although Leo did get a series of emails from a loyal Republican named David who said we caused Fisher's defeat. Rita may make them address the issue of Life. So I do not think we failed. We just want abortion addressed.
Do you like conspiracy stories? So do I! Well, less than two weeks before the election our web site crashed. The fellow who handles the site said he never saw anything like it We were only knocked out for a few days, but at a very critical time. Who do you think did it… a Democrat, a Republican or maybe a "pro-choice" hacker?
Thanks in large part to Leo, Pro-Life Rita is now a nation-wide movement. I lost track of all the states with activists, but they include Missouri, California, Florida, Vermont, Illinois, the Carolinas, Virginia, New Jersey and, of course, Pennsylvania. We even got a request for our endorsement from a fellow running for national office in Guam!
I know this "Rita" thing makes some of you mad. That may be good. Are you a puppet or can you think for yourself? Just be realistic about what you have gained by compromise with politicians on the Life issue. If you really believe that there has been gradual change towards the eventual abolition of abortion, by all means continue supporting the "lesser of two evils". If you find that there has been no real change, then why do you persist in doing it? You might as well not vote, as is common with disillusioned former voters. What do you do when the "duocracy" just ignores you ? Of course, Rita is an ideal. But what is wrong with ideals? Especially when being "practical" has gotten us nowhere.
Pro-Life Rita is ideal for any state in any election where there is not a 100% pro-life candidate. We at the PAC are going try to stock bumper strips for the big elections like Governor, US Representative, US Senator and, if necessary, President. We will be happy to supply them at low cost. Can you picture the effect of a Pro-Life Rita billboard? Email us if you need some help or ideas. Lastly, we need donations. If you can help, send a check. Thanks.
Remember, we are the 100% Pro-Life PAC. We do not engage in false advertising. We will happily endorse any candidate, from any party, that is 100% pro life who meets our rigid criteria.
PS: Our most recent mailing and this essay have really stirred up the "lesser of two evils" crowd. That was our intention. Please remember we do not hate "them". They are "us". I believe they are just as sincere in the support of Life as we are. They are just impractical in their methods. Methods that do not work.
Unfortunately, some "pro-life" organizations do not tell the truth to their supporters. Some regularly label candidates as "pro-life" when they mean they are the "lesser of two evils" or, better put, they are "pro-abortion with exceptions".
Why do they do this?
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