-
Polls consistently show that the overwhelming majority of Americans
reject the standard, established by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade
and subsequent decisions, of legal abortion at any time during a pregnancy
and for virtually any reason. 1
-
Polls consistently show that a majority of Americans would limit legal
access to abortion to the so-called "hard cases" -- rape, incest, or to
protect the life of the mother. This position would, in effect, withdraw
legal sanction from at least 98 percent of all currently performed abortions.
2
-
Abortions are performed far more frequently in the United States, and
for far less grave reasons, than most Americans realize, according to a
nationwide survey. Almost half of Americans believe there are fewer
than 500,000 abortions annually in the U.S.; the real total is more than
3 times that -- 1.6 million annually or about 4,400 per day. 3
-
A majority of americans overestimate the total number of abortions performed
for the rare "hard cases." On average, Americans estimate that 20
out of 100 abortions are performed for rape or incest, while the real figure
is about 1 out of 100. Americans also think that approximately 17
out of 100 abortions are performed for life endangerment, but in fact far
less than one out of 100 abortions is performed for life endangerment,
and no more than 7 out of 100 for the much broader category of "health
problems" (which includes life endangerment). 4
-
Sixty percent of those surveyed found either "extremely convincing"
or "very convincing" the statements: "All human life, including that
of the unborn, should be protected," and "Every unborn child has a basic
right to life. 5
Take a moment to think about these facts. When the choice
is between life and death, more is at stake than an asserted "right to
choice."
FOOTNOTES
1. Everett Carll Ladd, "Trouble for Both Parties,"
Public
Opinion, May/June, 1989, pp. 4, 35-39.
2. Ethan Bronner, "Most in U.S. favor ban on
majority of abortions, poll finds," The Boston Globe, March 31,
1989, p. A1.
3. U.S. Catholic Conference press release, "Americans
Unaware of Abortion Numbers, Reasons, Survey Shows," November 2, 1990 (commenting
on a Wirthlin Group survey of August 1990).
4. Ibid.; when Medicaid was funding elective
abortions in 1980, it received 42,969 claims for reimbursement over an
eight month period. When funding was limited to cases of life endangerment,
claims dropped by over 99%, numbering only 48 in fiscal year 1989.
Source: Health Care Financing Administration.
5. U.S. Catholic Conference press release, November
2, 1990.
This article was printed and distributed by
the Knights of Columbus and was posted on this web site March 1999.
Send
a pro life letter (letter is preferable) or an email to your Senators
and representatives using the Directory at the Congressional Email Directory.
Point and click here to surf to their web site.
A note from the Web Master:
It is noteworthy and honorable that some folks are willing to
stand up for a ban on Partial-Birth Abortion. Let us not forget that
ordinary everyday run of the mill abortion is also murder. We must
understand that murder is murder no matter the method. Because one
method of abortion seems to be horrible does not make the other methods
less so. We should be horrified and sickened by any abortion regardless
of the method. The Fifth Commandment spells it out clearly:
"Thou shalt not kill."
A fetus is a person, a human being with a God given soul.
Imagine the pain the Lord must feel when any abortion occurs. Please
contact both of your Senators and Representative, via letter or phone,
to let them know how horrified you are that abortions are legal and to
stop Partial-Birth abortions and all other abortions as soon as possible.
(It has become apparent that they do not respond to
email therefore you will have more of an impact by writing or telephoning.)
|
This page is hosted by GEOCITIES - get
your own Free Home Page
|
|
| |
|
Today's Date:
|
|
|