NARAL (Pro-Abortion Group) Heralds Election of Pro-Abortion Legislators – Catholic Voters Guide

A quick guide for all Catholics, (or any given denomination that does not support Abortion): In light of Pope Benedict’s warning to Catholic legislatures this past week, following the short meeting with Rep. Nancy Pelosi (As head of the Vatican State, not head of the Catholic Church (a snub in itself) - the Pope noted it was every Catholics duty to uphold life at every stage. The Bishop of Scranton, (Pennsylvania), has taken up Benedicts tone, baring pro-abortion activist from any St. Patrick’s days masses or parades.

With this new tone on Abortion set by the Pope, the following may be a beneficial guide for lay people when considering candidates in 2010 (let alone the “stimulus package”). NARAL’s (pro-Abortion) website offers congratulations to all representatives that either won or held onto a seat in 2008 - those who have worked tirelessly for abortion rights, are noted with an asterisk as being endorsed by NARAL. The List From ProChoiceAmerica (NARAL)

President
Sen. Barack Obama *
Governors
Gov. Christine Gregoire, Washington
Gov. John Lynch, New Hampshire
Beverly Perdue, North Carolina
Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Montana
U.S. Senate
Sen. Max Baucus, Montana *
Mayor Mark Begich, Alaska *
Sen. Richard Durbin, Illinois *
Sen. Tom Harkin, Iowa
Sen. John Kerry, Massachusetts *
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey *
Sen. Carl Levin, Michigan
State Speaker Jeff Merkley, Oregon *
Sen. Jack Reed, Rhode Island
Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire *
Rep. Tom Udall, New Mexico *
Rep. Mark Udall, Colorado *
U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Neil Abercrombie, Hawaii - 01
Rep. Gary Ackerman, New York - 05
State Sen. John Adler, New Jersey - 03 *
Rep. Rob Andrews, New Jersey - 01
Rep. Michael Arcuri, New York - 24
Rep. Joe Baca, California - 43
Rep. Brian Baird, Washington - 03
Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin - 02
Rep. Melissa Bean, Illinois - 08
Rep. Xavier Becerra, California - 31
Rep. Shelley Berkley, Nevada - 01
Rep. Howard Berman, California - 28
Rep. Tim Bishop, New York - 01 *
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Oregon - 03
Rep. Rick Boucher, Virginia - 09 *
Rep. Bob Brady, Pennsylvania - 01
Rep. Bruce Braley, Iowa - 01 *
Rep. Corinne Brown, Florida - 03
Rep. Lois Capps, California - 23
Rep. Michael Capuano, Massachusetts - 08
Rep. Russ Carnahan, Missouri - 03 *
Rep. André Carson, Indiana - 07 *
Rep. Kathy Castor, Florida - 11
Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Michigan - 13 *
Rep. Yvette Clarke, New York - 11
Rep. William Lacy Clay, Missouri - 01
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, Missouri - 05
Rep. Steve Cohen, Tennessee - 09 *
Gerry Connolly, Virginia - 11 *
Rep. John Conyers, Michigan - 14
Rep. Joe Courtney, Connecticut - 02 *
Rep. Joseph Crowley, New York - 07
Rep. Elijah Cummings, Maryland - 07
Rep. Susan Davis, California - 53
Rep. Danny Davis, Illinois - 07
Rep. Peter DeFazio, Oregon - 04
Rep. Diana DeGette, Colorado - 01
Rep. William Delahunt, Massachusetts - 10
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut - 03 *
Rep. Norman Dicks, Washington - 06
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Texas - 25 *
Rep. Donna Edwards, Maryland - 04 *
Rep. Keith Ellison, Minnesota - 05 *
Rep. Rahm Emanuel, Illinois - 05
Rep. Eliot Engel, New York - 17
Rep. Anna Eshoo, California - 14
Rep. Sam Farr, California - 17
Rep. Chaka Fattah, Pennsylvania - 02
Rep. Bob Filner, California - 51
Rep. Bill Foster, Illinois - 14 *
Rep. Barney Frank, Massachusetts - 04
Mayor Marcia Fudge, Ohio - 11
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona - 08 *
Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, New York - 20 *
Alan Grayson, Florida - 08 *
Rep. Al Green, Texas - 09
Rep. Raul Grijalva, Arizona - 07 *
Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Illinois - 04
Rep. John Hall, New York - 19
State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, Illinois - 11 *
Rep. Phil Hare, Illinois - 17 *
Rep. Jane Harman, California - 36
Rep. Alcee Hastings, Florida - 23
Martin Heinrich, New Mexico - 01 *
Rep. Brian Higgins, New York - 27
Rep. Maurice Hinchey, New York - 22
Rep. Mazie Hirono, Hawaii - 02 *
Rep. Paul Hodes, New Hampshire - 02 *
Eleanor Holmes Norton, District of Columbia - AL
Rep. Rush Holt, New Jersey - 12
Rep. Mike Honda, California - 15
Rep. Steny Hoyer, Maryland - 05
Rep. Jay Inslee, Washington - 01
Rep. Steve Israel, New York - 02
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., Illinois - 02
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas - 18
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Texas - 30
Rep. Hank Johnson, Georgia - 04
Rep. Ron Kind, Wisconsin - 03
Ann Kirkpatrick, Arizona - 01
Rep. Ron Klein, Florida - 22
Suzanne Kosmas, Florida - 24 *
Frank Kratovil, Maryland - 01
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Ohio - 10
Rep. Rick Larsen, Washington - 02
Rep. John Larson, Connecticut - 01
Rep. Barbara Lee, California - 09 *
Rep. Sandy Levin, Michigan - 12
Rep. John Lewis, Georgia - 05 *
Rep. David Loebsack, Iowa - 02 *
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, California - 16
Rep. Nita Lowey, New York - 18 *
Dan Maffei, New York - 25 *
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, New York - 14 *
Rep. Edward Markey, Massachusetts - 07
Betsy Markey, Colorado - 04 *
Eric Massa, New York - 29 *
Rep. Doris Matsui, California - 05
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, New York - 04
Rep. Betty McCollum, Minnesota - 04 *
Rep. Jim McDermott, Washington - 07
Rep. James McGovern, Massachusetts - 03 *
Mike McMahon, New York - 13
Rep. Jerry McNerney, California - 11 *
Rep. Kendrick Meek, Florida - 17
Rep. Gregory Meeks, New York - 06
Rep. George Miller, California - 07
Rep. Brad Miller, North Carolina - 13 *
Walt Minnick, Idaho - 01 *
Rep. Harry Mitchell, Arizona - 05 *
Rep. Gwen Moore, Wisconsin - 04
Rep. Jim Moran, Virginia - 08
Rep. Patrick Murphy, Pennsylvania - 08 *
Rep. Chris Murphy, Connecticut - 05 *
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, New York - 08 *
Rep. Grace Napolitano, California - 38
Rep. John Olver, Massachusetts - 01
Rep. Frank Pallone, New Jersey - 06
Rep. Ed Pastor, Arizona - 04
Rep. Donald Payne, New Jersey - 10
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, California - 08
Rep. Ed Perlmutter, Colorado - 07 *
Gary Peters, Michigan - 09 *
Jared Polis, Colorado - 02
Rep. David Price, North Carolina - 04
Rep. Charles Rangel, New York - 15
Laura Richardson, California - 37 *
Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, Texas - 23 *
Rep. Steve Rothman, New Jersey - 09
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, California - 34
Rep. Bobby Rush, Illinois - 01
Rep. Linda Sanchez, California - 39
Rep. Loretta Sanchez, California - 47
Rep. John Sarbanes, Maryland - 03
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Illinois - 09
State Sen. Mark Schauer, Michigan - 07 *
Rep. Adam Schiff, California - 29
Rep. Allyson Schwartz, Pennsylvania - 13
Rep. David Scott, Georgia - 13
Rep. Bobby Scott, Virginia - 03
Rep. Jose Serrano, New York - 16
Rep. Joe Sestak, Pennsylvania - 07 *
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, New Hampshire - 01
Rep. Brad Sherman, California - 27
Rep. Albio Sires, New Jersey - 13
Rep. Louise Slaughter, New York - 28
Rep. Adam Smith, Washington - 09
Rep. Hilda Solis, California - 32
Rep. Jackie Speier, California - 12
Rep. Pete Stark, California - 13
Rep. Betty Sutton, Ohio - 13
Rep. Ellen Tauscher, California - 10
Harry Teague, New Mexico - 02 *
Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi - 02
Rep. Mike Thompson, California - 01
Rep. John Tierney, Massachusetts - 06
Paul Tonko, New York - 21 *
Rep. Edolphus Towns, New York - 10
Rep. Niki Tsongas, Massachusetts - 05
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Maryland - 08
Rep. Nydia Velazquez, New York - 12
Rep. Tim Walz, Minnesota - 01 *
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Florida - 20
Rep. Maxine Waters, California - 35
Rep. Diane Watson, California - 33
Rep. Melvin Watt, North Carolina - 12
Rep. Henry Waxman, California - 30
Rep. Anthony Weiner, New York - 09
Rep. Peter Welch, Vermont - AL *
Rep. Robert Wexler, Florida - 19
Rep. Lynn Woolsey, California - 06
Rep. David Wu, Oregon – 01

Length of Term in Office House of Representatives, 2 years, Senate – 6 years, President – 4 years. Next election: 2010.

Unforeseen Impact of the Stimulus Package: What’s Left in Your Wallet?

Immediately following the President Obama’s signing of the Stimulus Package, otherwise known as the “American Reinvestment and Recovery Act”(full text here), Wall Street Reacted by taking a sharp downturn on Tuesday, falling 297 points to close at 7552, the lowest level since 2003. Some may argue, that Wall Street symbolizes the wealthy, (which is what a certain political party is banking on), however, the fact remains that most pension and retirement plans, public and government, are tied to the fortunes of the stock market – the more the term “nationalized” is bandied about the more Wall Street reacts.

In addition to dwindling retirement holdings, middle income consumers are also facing an increase in the interest rates on credit cards. Interest rates have doubled on some cardholders, regardless of credit score - this from banks who were on the receiving end of hefty bailouts. What to watch for: rising rates on Certificates of Deposits. During the Carter Administration, (there are some interesting parallels) interest rates on CD’s (for those who had the money to invest), rose to double digits. Unemployment was through the roof, and inflation (on the rise now), went to the double digits. Also impacted rates on new home loans (21%) and used car loans (26%).

No one knows this better than those in the trenches – pouring good money into bad ideas, (or time-tested methods that have failed in the past), are known to those in the economic trenches. This week, CNBC’s, Rick Santelli, “lost it” on the floor of the Chicago Exchange. In a rant on the home mortgage bailout, Santelli was joined by traders on the floor booing in response in response to the mortgage bailout portion of the Stimulus plan, cheers went up when Santelli suggested a Chicago Tea Party (the original Boston Tea Party a direct result of taxes levied on the American Colonies, that certain Patriots refused to pay. The taxes were assessed to reimburse England for the costs incurred by the colonies during the French and Indian Wars. Logic follows that the founding fathers in Boston, MA we’re basically tax dodgers – and our Great Nation was founded on the principal of Tax Evasion. (Or, in this case, Mortgage Evasion.)

CNBC has a poll up (here) which asks respondents if they would participate in the Chicago Tea Party. The non-scientific polls indicate that 92% of respondents would, indeed, like to join in. Where is the confidence in our Government to haul the private sector up out of the mire (originally created by the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fiasco), and on the road to recovery?

To those with any sense of history, specifically as regards to the ups and downs of the American Economy since the first Tea Party, it is a general rule that government intervention is sometimes required, but in the form of oversight, not direct intervention and ownership of programs that create massive deficits that benefit a few, and hamstring the majority with – taxes. When the tax base erodes, due to high inflation and loss of jobs (due to overtaxed corporations taking their business elsewhere or closing all together), there simply will be no money left to support these programs. Enter true middle class tax cuts in order to stimulate the economy – but that won’t take place unless there is a revolution of sorts, in the next two general elections. One would hope that given time, this stimulus package would provide some relief, albeit temporary to those who truly need assistance, and would act to jump start a very troubled economy. It is not an overnight process, that said, American’s, in general, are not patient people, seeking the quick fix, from a President whose approval rating continues to decline, dropping an additional 5 points to 60% this past week , because expectations were based on the “hype” of hope and change, not the reality of governing. The question remains, will the backlash continue, and will more “Tax Tea Party’s” be on the horizon?

Pope Benedict Reads Riot Act to Pelosi – Will the Pope Rock the Catholic Vote in 2010?

Photograph: Catholic News Agency

Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Speaker of the House, and third in line to the Presidency (lest we forget), met with Pope Benedict on Wednesday. The Pope met with Ms. Pelosi as the Head of State of the Vatican, specifically not the “Head of the Church”, which, in itself was significant. Pelosi, along with other pro-abortion Democrat candidates, consistently use their Catholicism during campaigns, either by professing to be “ardent Catholics”, or making “newsworthy” appearance at churches; while vigorously campaigning for a women’s “right to choose”, and receiving endorsements from pro-abortion organizations such as N.A.R.A.L. CNA (The Catholic News Agency) has been reporting this meeting and printed the following from the Vatican:

Immediately after the meeting, the Holy See’s press office released a statement saying, "following the general audience the Holy Father briefly greeted Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, together with her entourage."
"His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church's consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death which enjoin all Catholics, and especially legislators, jurists and those responsible for the common good of society, to work in co-operation with all men and women of good will in creating a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development."

Further, Pope Benedict allowed no camera’s or press during the brief meeting, taking away any opportunity for Ms. Pelosi to use the press to further political ambitions. (It is estimated that Catholics make up one of the largest voting blocs in the United States and are a key “swing vote” in U.S. elections. , Additionally, 70% of Hispanics identify themselves as Catholic )

Benedict's Vatican, has been, by far, the most vocal in opposition to politicians and abortion worldwide. In October of 2008, the Prefect of the Vatican's Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature, labeled the Democrat Party – “the Party of Death” in response to the pro-abortion policies of the majority of the party’s figureheads. The Pope’s statement issued after the private meeting with Pelosi, constitutes a strong rebuke of all Catholic Politician’s who profess their faith and then, to pacify their backers and some constituents, rely on the excuse of “choice”. Benedict is clearly not buying any of this.

Reuters reported that Ms. Pelosi issued a very brief statement after her meeting at the Vatican, however, did not mention abortion, rather praised the Catholic Church on its stance on peace and global warming.

A Catholic “pro-choice” group (oxymoron) “Catholics for Choice”, headed by Jon O’Brien, in an interview with “The Hill” hoped that the meeting with Pelosi would focus on “bigger” issues than abortion: “That would be a real conversation about choice, instead of this micro-obsession with abortion,” O’Brien said. “They made a very intelligent, diplomatic move.”
The Groups Website Article entitled “Catholic Voters and Policy Makers Lead the Way” written this past November by Mr. O'Brien praises the election of Barack Obama and the role Catholics played in electing such a pro-choice President, the following excerpt is chilling to this Catholic:

As pro choice Catholics, we celebrate the election of a pro choice President who has been a strong supporter of abortion rights, comprehensive sexuality education and access to reproductive health care. The next administration will have to work hard to repair the damage done to reproductive right during the last eight years: the Global Gag Rule, abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, subordinating science to personal belief, and a pervasive program against family-planning efforts. Undoubtedly, concerns about America’s economic security and military engagements overseas will garner a great deal of attention. However, we urge the next administration and Congress to also work for advances in reproductive health care in the US and abroad.

In other words, Mr. O’Brien and like-minded politician’s who are staunch advocates of abortion – against the teaching of a Church they profess to follow faithfully - merely use the Church to promote their agenda.

What Mr. O’Brien and politician’s like Ms. Pelosi, Biden, John Kerry, etc. had banked on in the past was the disconnect between Catholics, specifically, moderate politically minded Catholics and more traditional Conservative Catholics, as well silence from the U.S. Church and the Pope. However, Benedict is far removed in temperament from John Paul, and the growing evangelical base within the Catholic Church, the inclusion of a very conservative Hispanic Catholic population coupled with an increasingly vocal group of U.S. Bishops, may actually put an end to the game of mixing politics and church by pro-abortion politicians seeking re-election.

The following AP Video puts the meeting and the Pope’s view of Politician’s and their role as “Catholics” into perspective: (Note: there are 1,057 articles in a Google Search: “Pelosi and the Pope”)


Speaking as an Evangelical Catholic, and a values voter – to cast a vote for a politician who pro-actively campaigns on the abortion ticket – regardless of religious affiliation would run counter to conscious for this Hispanic, first generation American. To use a phrase form one of the commenter on CAN’s article regarding the Pope’s stand: “Benedict Rocks!” It remains to be seen, with the 2010 elections on the horizon, how this will play out in states that have a significant block of Catholic voters.