Abortion Albatross Plagues Catholic Dems

[PLAL]

ABORTION ALBATROSS PLAGUES CATHOLIC DEMS

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A “Statement of Principles” has been released by 55 Catholic Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Commenting on this statement is Catholic League president William Donohue:

“The House Catholic Democrats who signed this statement—and 17 of them did not—are trying to convince the public, and especially Catholics, that one can be a good Catholic and differ with the Catholic Church on abortion. They agree with the Church about the ‘undesirability of abortion,’ adding that ‘we do not celebrate its practice.’ What gives them pause is not explained, but one thing is certain: there is not a word in the statement that commits these Catholics to work towards a change in the Democratic Party’s Platform on abortion. Thus, even the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion is not so undesirable that it must be opposed.

“The statement is driven by fear. The fear is the Abortion Albatross that is literally strangling them from getting their message out. Recall that in 2004, 48 Catholic members of Congress—all Democrats—signed a letter to Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington warning him that if some bishops were to deny Communion to abortion-rights advocates it would ‘revive latent anti-Catholic prejudice, which so many of us have worked so hard to overcome.’ Funny we never recall one of them joining with us to denounce the incestuous relationship that existed for years between the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Catholics for a Free Choice, a notoriously anti-Catholic front group: a link with the bigoted group was posted on the DNC’s website for years.

“Perhaps the most convincing evidence that this statement is a sham is the fact that Rep. Rosa DeLauro is the point person for this effort. There has never been an abortion she couldn’t justify, including the killing of an innocent child who is 80-percent born. Indeed, she previously served as the executive director of EMILY’s List, the richest pro-abortion organization in the country. So with her at the helm, the ‘Statement of Principle’ is nothing more than a ‘Statement of Politics.’ Thus, the Abortion Albatross remains securely in place.”

catholicleague.org/06press_releases/quarter%201/060301_albatross.htm

 

[vz71]

Quick question for everyone…

How many would actually have a deeper respect for these people if they left the church?

Considering that, at least they could be said to be adhering to their principles. But as it sits now, they are trying to ride both sides of the fence.

:twocents:

Z

 

[Ender]

The House document opens a window into a major problem the Democrats face as well as highlighting an issue facing the bishops.

In the last election one of the most interesting pieces of data was the correlation between church attendance and choice of presidential candidate. The more often one went to church the more likely one was to vote for Bush, the less likely one attended church the more likely one was to vote for Kerry. As this thread states, this problem is in large measure associated with abortion. Democrats are losing religious voters and I suspect this “Statement of Principles” is but one attempt to find a way to win them back.

There is also a challenge here for the bishops. It appears that Catholic politicians are to some degree still sensitive to what their Church teaches and to that degree the bishops still have an opportunity to influence them. I am not altogether optimistic about the bishops seizing this opportunity but one can always hope.

Ender

 

[wjp984]

anyone hear about South Dakota outlawing abortion?
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060307/ap_on_re_us/abortion_south_dakota

 

[wjp984]

oh I didn’t see that there was a whole another thread for this. Well sorry, ignore my post and I can’t delete it since it is too late.

 

[thistle]

Procuring an abortion is not only a mortal sin but one which carries with it automatic excommunication.
Maybe this should also apply to Catholics who are politicians who also support abortion or do not publicly condemn it

 

[JOHNYJ]

Very true if one looks at the whole picture.The democratic party represents Jesus beliefs much more than the Republicans. The Republicans are for the rich and the privilaged,not Jesus people at all.

 

[Beaver]

vz71:

Quick question for everyone…

How many would actually have a deeper respect for these people if they left the church?

Considering that, at least they could be said to be adhering to their principles. But as it sits now, they are trying to ride both sides of the fence.

:twocents:

Z

They would leave, if it was not for the catholic vote. Being on both sides gets them into office.

There is already talk of the American Catholic Church.

 

[mike182d]

NEWSFLASH:

CATHOLIC DOCTRINE PLAGUES NOMINAL CATHOLICS…

more as it develops.

 

[Researcher]

I think I prefer the burden of the abortion position taken by the Democratic party platform as an anchor rather than an albatross. I find both parties to be very difficult to vote for from a Catholic perspective because of their platforms. As many have said it is vote for the lesser of two evils.

The statement issued by the “Catholic” Democrates is very telling. It tells me quite clearly that these people do not know the faith which they proclaim to belong to. They are more Protestant than Catholic.

And if they are willing to make a public pronouncement about something they know very little, what does this tell us about them as public servants? They are of two (maybe even more) minds.

 

[estesbob]

JOHNYJ:

Very true if one looks at the whole picture.The democratic party represents Jesus beliefs much more than the Republicans. The Republicans are for the rich and the privilaged,not Jesus people at all.

They are??? I hear democrats say that a lot but they never can give me any specifics. Of course even if it were true the democrats still have the problem of having the blood of 47 million dead children on their hands…

 

[Phil_M]

The biggest problem is that the Democrats aren’t open to pro-lifers. The Republican party seems to be known as the “pro-life” party, but they still allow for people who are pro-choice to join and have a future in that party (Giuliani, Arnold, Specter, Forrester). Democrats won’t let a pro-life candidate even speak at their conventions, let alone run for office. They shouldn’t tell Catholics to disagree with the Church, they should let good Christians disagree with them on the issue. But I guess that’s too hard for them

As far as either party being more “Christian” than the other, they both have their flaws. The Democratic party is way too pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage, but Republicans aren’t really much better when it comes to tax cuts for the wealthy, and slashing antipoverty programs left and right. God isn’t a Republican or Democrat, just vote for whichever candidate best upholds Christian ideals

 

[estesbob]

Phil M:

As far as either party being more “Christian” than the other, they both have their flaws. The Democratic party is way too pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage, but Republicans aren’t really much better when it comes to tax cuts for the wealthy, and slashing antipoverty programs left and right. God isn’t a Republican or Democrat, just vote for whichever candidate best upholds Christian ideals

Could you tell us what anit-poverty programs have been slashed?

As far as Tax cuts for the rich I am a CPA who will be doing over 500 tax returns this year and have been doing so for 26 years. The major beneficiaries of the Bush tax cuts are the middle class and poor-are you aware that nearly half the people in this country pay NO federal incme tax.

It is my experience that most of the opostion to the republican party is based on half thruths, distortions and flat out lies about what they do and what they stand for.

 

[Phil_M]

estesbob:

Could you tell us what anit-poverty programs have been slashed?

As far as Tax cuts for the rich I am a CPA who will be doing over 500 tax returns this year and have been doing so for 26 years. The major beneficiaries of the Bush tax cuts are the middle class and poor-are you aware that nearly half the people in this country pay NO federal incme tax.

It is my experience that most of the opostion to the republican party is based on half thruths, distortions and flat out lies about what they do and what they stand for.

Child tax credit for poor families was cut, cuts have been made to educational spending, and core programs creating affordable housing, hiring police officers, decreasing juvenile delinquency, guaranteeing health insurance for poor children, and providing childcare for low income working mothers have also been slashed. Also, the top 400 taxpayers are now taking in more than 1% of the total income of all taxpayers, and these people’s average annual income increased to $174 million, while the bottom 90% of the population had an average income of about $25,000. Job creation under President Bush is also the lowest it has been since WWII.

 

[mary_bobo]

estesbob:

They are??? I hear democrats say that a lot but they never can give me any specifics. Of course even if it were true the democrats still have the problem of having the blood of 47 million dead children on their hands…

Isn’t it amazing if you repeat an untruth often enough, there are many people who will believe it. If the Dems say it, it must be so. Don’t bother me with facts, as we used to say, my minds made up.

 

[estesbob]

Phil M:

Child tax credit for poor families was cut, cuts have been made to educational spending, and core programs creating affordable housing, hiring police officers, decreasing juvenile delinquency, guaranteeing health insurance for poor children, and providing childcare for low income working mothers have also been slashed. Also, the top 400 taxpayers are now taking in more than 1% of the total income of all taxpayers, and these people’s average annual income increased to $174 million, while the bottom 90% of the population had an average income of about $25,000. Job creation under President Bush is also the lowest it has been since WWII.

There is really no basis for what you are saying above,. The child tax credit is the exact same as it was last year-if it has changed I guess I have 250 returns to amend. Unemployment is at historic lows and NO programs for the poor have been cut. In fact the only real dispaointment I have with the republicans is they havent cut anything.

The top 10% of taxpayers pay 65% of all federal Income taxes. The bottom 50% pay 2.5%. Because of refundable credits like the EIC most low income taxpayers not only pay no tax-they get a refund even though they have paid no tax in. Most credits(child, education. , etc) are not avaiable to those who make over $100,000-hardly an income that one would consider rich. You start losing your exemptions and itemized deductions at $150,000 in income, And then there is the infamous AMT that effects not one poor person but comes down hard on the wealthy and middle class

BTW-has tax revenue increased or decreased since the Bush tax cuts went through???

The answer is they have increased substantially. You see Phillip class warfare and confiscatory taxes hurt those at the bottom the most.