The 2008 Democratic Platform on Abortion

I was heartened to see that Kristen Day, Director of Democrats of Life of America, expressed her views on the 2008 Democratic platform saying that it is a step forward (semantically and in recognition, maybe), but not at all perfect. She praised the emphasis on promoting childbirth and helping pregnant women, but calls the unequivocal pro-abortion position out of touch.

The platform reads, "The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right."

Day stated that advocating unlimited abortions financed by taxpayers won't go over well with Americans. She further said, "We do not believe that the first paragraph of the [abortion] section that 'strongly and unequivocally' supports Roe v. Wade and federal funding of abortion accurately represents the common ground position that Americans are seeking." She reiterated the committment of pro-life Democrats despite this, saying, "Democrats for Life of America will strongly and unequivocally champion the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and will continue to oppose any and all legislation that infringes on that right." Amen to that.

Day also expressed unhappiness that a proposed conscience clause proposed by Democrats for Life saying "we respect the conscience of each American and recognize that members of our Party have deeply held and sometimes differing positions on issues of personal conscience, like abortion. We recognize the diversity of views as a source of strength and we welcome into our ranks all Americans who may hold differing positions on these and other issues," was rejected and replaced with a general conscience clause not specifying the abortion issue, which is the most critical. In fact, the pro-choice base and elected officials balked at the language.

"Democrats for Life of America appreciates the Platform Committee adding this statement of general inclusiveness, but we will continue to work with the Democratic Party to explicitly recognize and welcome pro-life Democrats in the big tent of the Democratic Party," Day said.

I fully agree with Day on this and believe that all pro-life Democrats, particularly Catholics, should not be so easily fooled. While it is indeed positive that pro-lifers in the party are being recognized and even Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. will be allowed to speak at the Democratic convention (hopefully he'll take the opportunity to stand up for the unborn) in Denver after his father was denied a speech in 1992 because of his pro-life views, we should ask ourselves: do they really understand our concerns or are they throwing us a bone because they realize how critical we are this election (after two losses in 2000 and 2004)?

The platform states, "The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v Wade and a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay." There is very little room for common ground with people who believe abortion is murder in that statement, but rather it is totally reflective of the views of NARAL and Emily's List. Moreover, "regardless of ability to pay" sounds off an alarm to my Catholic conscience especially when Barack Obama pledged in 2007 to fund abortion through the medium of his universal healthcare plan, which would undermine the Hyde Amendment and allow abortion to be funded by tax-payer dollars.

The Democrats say they "oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right." That's why they support the Freedom of Choice Act and their presidential nominee has vowed to sign it, which would virtually overturn every federal and state pro-life laws which restrict and undermine the so-called right to abortion. This means the partial-birth abortion ban would be reversed, parental consent and notification laws overturned, mandated ultrasound viewing options overturned, laws against traveling state lines for abortion overturned as well, conscience laws that protect pro-life doctors would be overturned and they would be obligated to perform abortion as standard medical procedure, and the list goes on. Essentially, this would call for abortion-on-demand from conception to birth, maybe even after. (cf. Barack Obama's vote on the Born Alive Infants Protection Act).

I am not surprised they would throw pro-life Democrats a bone by supporting reducing unwanted pregnancies and thereby the abortion rate because that's all we'll have once they enact the Freedom of Choice Act. But as a Catholic, their proposed solutions to reducing abortions are a bit problematic, so much that I would oppose them even while I agree with the principle idea. The Democratic Party "supports access to affordable family planning services." Well, no, that's not Natural Family Planning (NFP), but tax-payers dollars being used to fund wanton distribution of contraceptives, the morning after pill and other abortifacents, and lastly they would advocate comprehensive-sex education (not education on health and disease that I received in school that promotes abstinence) which will "empower people to make informed choices and live healthy lives." It is obvious that abstinence is not in that education packet, and if it is, it is in the background. Someone should alert the Democrats that Catholics (who they are courting) don't oppose contraception because we think it's a nice little rule, we oppose it because we believe it to be contra-human nature and no good can ever come from its use. Moreover, we can't use evil (contraception) to stop evil (abortion).

It seems to me that at present the Democrats have not changed at all and to quote Obama, "on this fundamental issue," they will "not yield." I sometimes wonder why I don't leave the Democratic Party. With all my soul, I pray they lose their White House bid this November and after three straight presidential losses and more pro-life Democratic seats in Congress and inclusion in the party, they will begin to reassess their priorities. But, at present, I am a dissenter in the ranks and I will be until the Democratic Party stops warring with her own principles.

On a final and very important note: all pro-life Americans who are voting for Barack Obama for whatever reason, do so because you believe that you cannot violate your conscience. I believe that you're profoundly mistaken, but I will not pass my judgment on any of you. Those of you, particularly my Christian brothers and sisters, who are speaking out against war, for peace, for economic justice, for fighting poverty and access to quality healthcare, and your most pressing concerns, do so standing upon the right-to-life if you wish to be morally coherent. In fact, it is the only way to be truly human and truly a humanitarian.