Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Successful Tea Party Movement Must Include Pro-Life Issues, Not Just Economy
Life News ^ | 8/31/10 | Tom Glessner

Posted on 08/31/2010 4:17:24 PM PDT by wagglebee

LifeNews.com Note: Tom Glessner is a pro-life attorney who is the president of NIFLA, the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates. NIFLA is an organization with more than 1,200 affiliated pregnancy centers that provides legal, medical and practical help for pregnancy centers across the country.

Political change is blowing in the wind but it is not the change promised by Barack Obama when he ran for the presidency. For sure, Obama has brought political change to the nation, but his transformational policies have meant bigger government, higher taxes, federal subsidies of abortion on demand, and greater governmental control over the lives of American citizens.

Hundreds of thousands of citizens across the nation have raised their voices to protest Obama’s policies of change. They are crying out for a different change that will honor the integrity of each individual and create an atmosphere where true liberty in all spheres of life – economic, cultural, and spiritual- reigns. Political pollsters are now predicting a huge seismic shift in the political landscape this November. The recent Glenn Beck sponsored rally in Washington D.C., attended by thousands upon thousands of grass roots activists, indicates that this public outcry of protest is real and powerful.

The Tea Party movement is comprised of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents from all walks of life. The political ruling elite, the corporate world, and the media have completely failed to comprehend this populist movement dismissing it as marginal, extreme and even racist. However, this movement is not composed of ignorant and bigoted individuals, as suggested by the political class. Rather, it is an authentic grassroots movement of thoughtful and patriotic people demanding real change from an out-of-touch political establishment.

The Tea Party movement, for the most part, centers its protest on economic issues and concern about the loss of freedom that an ever-growing federal government brings. These concerns are valid and appropriate. Most leaders of this movement also believe in the sanctity of life and the need to halt the wholesale destruction of innocent human life through abortion and other life related issues such as embryonic stem cell research. However, many in the Tea Party movement have made it clear that while they are sympathetic with the pro-life cause, the abortion issue is not formally part of the Tea Party agenda.

Economic issues are a vital concern; as is the growing size of the federal government and its overreaching into the lives of ordinary citizens. The overwhelming burden of excess regulation and taxation upon businesses and individuals is alarming. In the same manner, however, the killing of 1.25 million unborn children annually from abortion must be a grave concern. Accordingly, a failure by the Tea Party to incorporate the serious pro-life concerns of millions of Americans into its agenda will be fatal to achieving success.

Perhaps, the Tea Party should take a lesson from the old fashioned three-legged milking stool. When I was a child I visited my aunt and uncle on their dairy farm and was intrigued watching my uncle milk the cows while sitting on a three-legged stool. I asked him why he used such a funny chair to milk the cows. He explained that a four-legged chair can be unbalanced if one of its legs is a different length than the others and it could even tip over if you leaned backwards. A three-legged stool, on the other hand, balances evenly and won't tip over even if one of its legs is longer

We should learn something from the old-fashioned milking stool. There are three legs to a successful agenda that will change America for the better. Each leg is critical and the current grassroots movement for change in America will collapse if any of these legs is ignored. These legs are:

1) Revival of the Economy: This leg requires the establishment a strong robust economy that creates full employment and does not burden small businesses with taxes and oppressive regulations that hinder job development. Limited government and reduced taxation are at the core and are necessary to bring the nation out of the serious economic recession/depression in which we find ourselves.

2) Maintaining a Strong National Defense and Protecting Homeland Security: This leg requires a serious commitment by the government to win the war on terror and protect our country’s border from those who would illegally enter and do us harm.

3) Protecting the Family Unit and Restoring the Right to Life for All: The social issues – protecting the sanctity of marriage and restoring the right to life – are issues of equal importance. Millions of Americans, including myself, have placed these issues at the top of the priority list for the next generation of political leaders to seriously address.

To date, while it appears that most Tea Party leaders verbally support all three legs of this “milk stool” some, such as Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, assert that the social issues (and specifically abortion and the right to life) must take a back seat to the other two legs, which are seen as more important.

A further example of this viewpoint was shown in a recent interview of Sarah Palin with Sean Hannity of Fox News. Gov. Sarah Palin, a committed pro-life leader, was asked to name the top five issues facing the country today and the deaths of 1.25 million unborn annually from abortion was not on her list. If, indeed, this is the approach a new Congress takes after the November mid-term elections, then the agenda of the Tea Party movement will fail.

America must be forewarned. A nation that fails to protect the lives of its most vulnerable members has set a course for itself that will lead to its eventual destruction from within. The killing of future generations through the act of abortion has already taken a toll on the demographical future of the nation and the Western world. Unless this trend is stopped then, notwithstanding the impact of the Tea Party movement, our culture and nation will have effectively committed suicide.

The invention of the three-legged milking stool was truly ingenious. Will the current populist movement for change understand this and formally incorporate the life issues into its agenda? Time will tell and the future of America hangs in the balance.



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: abortion; moralabsolutes; prolife; teaparty
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 321-339 next last
To date, while it appears that most Tea Party leaders verbally support all three legs of this “milk stool” some, such as Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, assert that the social issues (and specifically abortion and the right to life) must take a back seat to the other two legs, which are seen as more important.

A further example of this viewpoint was shown in a recent interview of Sarah Palin with Sean Hannity of Fox News. Gov. Sarah Palin, a committed pro-life leader, was asked to name the top five issues facing the country today and the deaths of 1.25 million unborn annually from abortion was not on her list. If, indeed, this is the approach a new Congress takes after the November mid-term elections, then the agenda of the Tea Party movement will fail.

He is absolutely right.

1 posted on 08/31/2010 4:17:28 PM PDT by wagglebee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: cgk; Coleus; cpforlife.org; narses; Salvation; 8mmMauser

Pro-Life Ping


2 posted on 08/31/2010 4:18:04 PM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 185JHP; 230FMJ; Albion Wilde; Aleighanne; Alexander Rubin; Amos the Prophet; ...
Moral Absolutes Ping!

Freepmail wagglebee to subscribe or unsubscribe from the moral absolutes ping list.

FreeRepublic moral absolutes keyword search
[ Add keyword moral absolutes to flag FR articles to this ping list ]


3 posted on 08/31/2010 4:18:31 PM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

QUITE CORRECT!

Fiscal conservatism cannot succeed in the Culture of Death.


4 posted on 08/31/2010 4:25:29 PM PDT by iowamark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

I respectfully disagree. Remember when our nation was founded, the issue of slavery was the most important moral issue of the day, with entrenched disagreement on both sides.

The founders would never have come together for independence, or to ratify the Constitution, if the slavery issue had been inserted into the debate. Instead, there was agreement to disagree, and the anti-slavery states did what they could to make a little progress, but did not allow the disagreement to derail the formation of the Union, which it certainly would have done.

I think it will be a tragic mistake if pulling back the reach of the federal government, and stopping/reversing the take over of our economy, is tied to the abortion issue or gay marriage or other social issues.

The Tea Party is right to keep its narrow focus, IMHO.


5 posted on 08/31/2010 4:26:11 PM PDT by Maceman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

The Tea Party is about putting limits on out of control government and elites who don’t listen to the people anymore.

But Glenn Beck did a brilliant thing at the Lincoln Monument, bringing social conservatives into the tent through honorable government.


6 posted on 08/31/2010 4:27:15 PM PDT by counterpunch (Imam B'araq Hussein Mohammad 0bama, President of the 57 States of Islam.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Maceman

Pure horse droppings.


7 posted on 08/31/2010 4:29:15 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Mexico is the U.S. version of Hamas)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

It seems to me that the Tea Party HAS to include everything about Natural Law Theory as espoused by John Locke and the Founders. It is included in the documents of our country.

It is easy to understand Natural Law. It is reason, common sense and science.

It means that all children have a right to be raised by their biological parents—so laws HAVE to support their natural rights, NEVER DENY THEM.

It means that everyone has to be responsible for their actions and there is a right to private property.

It means that all life, even (and especially) when that life is dependent on others, a civil society, while abiding by natural law, could never be allowed to destroy that life unless in self defense.

Laws that go against Natural Laws are unjust....as cited by Cicero.


8 posted on 08/31/2010 4:30:02 PM PDT by savagesusie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

I agree.


9 posted on 08/31/2010 4:38:09 PM PDT by Eagles6 ( Typical White Guy: Christian, Constitutionalist, Heterosexual, Redneck.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

The house is burning and we’re worried about the broken toilet? Lets get as many people together, both Pro and Anti death to beat back Gov’t to a manageable state. If the Pro life message was such a universal winner, why has a grass roots movement of its own not take hold lately? As people are introduced to the new GE 3D ultrasound, minds will naturally be changed.


10 posted on 08/31/2010 4:39:30 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

100% on the mark. Murder is not just an “issue.” Set it aside, fix the economy first?? Tempt the good God, I say.

There won’t be a dime from me for a “personally opposed but...” candidate. There won’t be a vote from me unless the Dem is a bona fide Communist like Obama.

Republicans, listen up. Eighteen years ago, Lee Atwater opened up the “big tent” to baby killers. I left, and there’s many more like me. We’re waiting.


11 posted on 08/31/2010 4:41:43 PM PDT by eens (beware the errors of Russia)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee
Eh, all this tells me is that social conservatives have no interest in reigning in an out of control government, cutting federal spending, and devolving power to the states.

For if they were, they'd vote for it if they had a chance. But this article indicates that they would not... because this message is not a ‘socially’ conservative one.

That speaks volumes as to how ‘conservative’ they really are.

IE: Anything is good as long as abortion is banned! No, really, ANYTHING! Forced anal goat sex on pain of death, fine... as long as abortion's banned. Turning the citizenry into slaves of the state, that's fine too! Just gimme dat old-time abortion ban!

It's attitudes like this that got Venezuela their Hugo Chavez.

12 posted on 08/31/2010 4:42:51 PM PDT by gogogodzilla (Live free or die!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee
You cannot tell the Tea Party what to include and what not to include. The reason is that the Tea Party is not a party at all. It is simply a collection of like-minded individuals. It is organic and grown from the seeds of fear and anger. Fear for the future of their children and anger at elected officials who have violated the public trust.

To treat it as a political party with a platform will not work. Such a strategy is not even in the same ballpark and those who try it will relegate themselves to a cul-de-sac of history. They will be left behind and chances are, if they are even thinking of the movement in those terms, they are left behind already.

13 posted on 08/31/2010 4:45:16 PM PDT by Pete (exponential problems require exponential solutions : 29thday.org)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: iowamark; All
I respectfully disagree with this idea and the article.

I posted on a similar thread and said this:

Fiscal conservatism is the only way to preserve LIBERTY. Without liberty, the government “naturally” will impose all manner of morally nihlistic policies — and have the power to FORCE citizens to comply with them.

If the federal government were not a huge behemoth (fiscally unrestrained), it couldn’t force states and you and me to support with our tax dollars abortion, homosexuality and on and on.

Also:

Let’s say the best you can do is elect 50 social conservatives (what some on this thread call “true” conservatives) who may or may not be fiscally conservative. Once elected, they cannot (not enough numbers) or will not (not committed to fiscal conservatism) do anything to limit government. What have those 50 elected social conservatives accomplished for social conservatism?

Now let’s say you can elect 60 fiscal conservatives who may or may not be socially conservative. Once elected, they can (they have enough numbers) and they will (because they are committed to fiscal conservatism) do everything in their power to limit government spending at every turn.

In fact, they end up having enough political power and will to repeal Obamacare, which in turn greatly reduces the number of federal programs providing and paying for abortions.

Or they strip funding for the Czars, purely on fiscal grounds — but this means no Kevin Jennings forcing his perversion on schools.

What have those 60 fiscal conservatives accomplished for social conservatism?

14 posted on 08/31/2010 4:48:35 PM PDT by fightinJAG (Step away from the toilet. Let the housing market flush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Maceman

Very wise words, supported by our own history. Thank you.


15 posted on 08/31/2010 4:49:33 PM PDT by fightinJAG (Step away from the toilet. Let the housing market flush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: counterpunch

Fiscal conservatism is the only way to limit government. Limiting government is the only way to preserve liberty. Without liberty, you can kiss you ability to advance social conservatism good-bye.


16 posted on 08/31/2010 4:51:51 PM PDT by fightinJAG (Step away from the toilet. Let the housing market flush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee
Political pollsters are now predicting a huge seismic shift in the political landscape this November. The recent Glenn Beck sponsored rally in Washington D.C., attended by thousands upon thousands of grass roots activists, indicates that this public outcry of protest is real and powerful.

There may have been a seismic shift but 8/28 was not about November. I explain in this piece I posted today.

What was Glenn Beck's “Restoring Honor” rally really about? (Maybe not what you think).

I have to warn you, though. Most of those commenting had trouble getting through it but not all. I am in the process of a rewrite but here it is as is.

17 posted on 08/31/2010 4:52:18 PM PDT by Pete (exponential problems require exponential solutions : 29thday.org)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Lazlo in PA; Coleus; narses; Salvation; cpforlife.org; EternalVigilance; BykrBayb; ...
The house is burning and we’re worried about the broken toilet? Lets get as many people together, both Pro and Anti death to beat back Gov’t to a manageable state.

So, you want to build a "big tent" so we can be just like the 'Rats?

The GOP has LOST every election since Roe v. Wade when abortion was ignored.

John McCain never mentioned abortion, he focused on "earmarks" (e.g. fiscal conservatism) and got his ass handed to him.

If the Pro life message was such a universal winner, why has a grass roots movement of its own not take hold lately?

It has taken hold, the problem is people like you who want to drop the issue.

52 MILLION babies have been killed since 1973, a baby is killed EVERY 24 SECONDS. The REASON that Social Security and Medicare are broke, the REASON the economy isn't growing is because fiscal conservatism is contingent on population growth and it COLLAPSES when an entire generation is MURDERED.

18 posted on 08/31/2010 4:52:29 PM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: fightinJAG

The TEA party does not belong to either the pro-life crowd or the pro-choice crowd. To force it to acknowledge one or the other is a huge mistake.


19 posted on 08/31/2010 4:55:19 PM PDT by micmac
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: savagesusie

True, but supporting fiscal conservatives does nothing to “deny” natural rights or Natural Law.

Supporting fiscal conservatives, regardless whether they are also socially conservative, is the only way to restore and preserve liberty. And without liberty, you can guarantee citizens will have no ability whatsoever to advance socially conservative causes.

Removing the cancer (pursuing fiscal conservatism’s goals of limiting government) doesn’t mean you can’t also take treatments to ensure the body becomes healthier (pursuing social conservatism’s goals). It’s just that it’s just plain dumb to give up the opportunity to remove the cancer because those “doctors” don’t necessarily also believe in chemotherapy.


20 posted on 08/31/2010 4:56:35 PM PDT by fightinJAG (Step away from the toilet. Let the housing market flush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 321-339 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson