The exploding heads have started already. Frankly, the reaction here on FR says far, far more about the mindset and “Christianity” of many of the posters on this site than it does about the theology of the Pope. A few of us have noted and warned against this sort of twisted, politized reaction to what The Church teaches before. It was like hollering down a well!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2287305/posts
FR as a whole is not Christian Right, and Christian Right is not Catholic Christian Right. I think, given the Americasn experience in particular, we should be leary of world political authorities, and the posts on that thread reflect that unease.
On the other hand, your warnings were mostly about the non-negotiability of pro-life political agenda. Where is any softening on that in the encyclical?
Is not this encyclical--and the reactions thereto--really a test of the First Commandment? And a question of what are our first and foundational principles and ultimate loyalties?
I treasure Martin Luther's explanation of the commandment
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.