Posted on 10/05/2008 7:42:44 PM PDT by Publius804
USAID Defunds International Abortion Provider
Posted on October 04, 2008, 12:36 PM | Deal W. Hudson
For those who think, erroneously, the Bush administration has done little to reduce abortions during its two terms, I would draw attention to the announcement that USAID has withdrawn funding from Maria Stopes International.
Invoking the Kemp-Kasten Amendment, Kent Hill of USAID explained the action based upon the "coercise abortion practices" of Maria Stopes.
Four years ago I met with a group of Catholic legislators in Peru -- the purpose of the meeting was to hear their complaints about U.S. funding of Maria Stopes. The stories they told at the time stunned me that our country would provide funding for an organization that forced poor women into having abortions, and worse, sterilization.
They told me this funding began during the Clinton administration.
When I relayed that information to USAID, I was told an investigation was already in progress -- I am glad USAID has come to the right conclusion.
Steve Mosher of the Population Research Institute is to be congratulated for his effort in bringing the crimes of Maria Stopes International to the public's attention.
This is not the first time the Bush administration has defunded an abortion provider. Millions of dollars, taxpayer dollars, have been taken away from Planned Parenthood and the United Nations Population Fund.
If Obama is elected, all this money, and more, will be restored. Kemp-Kasten will go by the wayside, along with the Hyde Amendment, and the Mexico City Policy. The Freedom of Choice Act, promised to be signed by Obama, will overturn any abortion restrictions passed by the states.
The argument about abortion reduction during an Obama presidency would be risible if it were not so tragic.
Hardly a day passes without a bishop commenting publicly on the importance of voting for life during the upcoming election. Cardinal Rigali and other bishops have begun to focus on the Freedom of Choice Act and its ramifications.
Rigali said FOCA would make abortion a "national entitlement."
The bishops have entered a presidential election in an unprecedented way, and they should be congratulated for that. So have the Knights of Columbus whose pro-life radio ads are playing nationwide.
Sadly, they may have come to the table too late -- Catholics have grown accustomed to most bishops saying little or nothing about the Catholic politicians who promote abortion-on-demand.
A few days ago, the bishops of New York state issued a magnificent statement on the importance of voting "through the lens of faith." However, at this moment Catholics in New York are presently favoring Obama by 47% to 40%. This number does not discriminate between active and inactive Catholics, but it tells the tale, nonetheless.
Bush has his faults, but he has been staunch in support of life. He deserves great credit for that.
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