President’s Message: Adopting five voters protects Michigan’s future

On November 5, 2002, Michigan voters have an historic opportunity. Their voting decisions will change the course of Michigan’s history.
What a tremendous responsibility.

A recent letter to the editor with the headline, “Seek qualities in candidates, “ caught my eye as I was thinking about the upcoming elections. The author suggested a number of criteria for voters to consider when selecting our political leaders including:

“Those committed to the most vulnerable in our society...children in the womb awaiting birth....Those with a moral compass, who themselves are committed to behaving honorably and who expect others to behave honorably.”

We in the prolife movement certainly see that a major part of the moral compass of any elected official is the understanding that the unborn child is a member of our human family deserving of protection under the law. While there are many important issues that affect our lives, without an opportunity to be born none of the other issues matter.

While I am not one that emphasizes public polls, three recent reports demonstrate that we who hold as a part of our moral compass the belief in the unqualified “right to life,” are not alone. In fact, we are gaining ground in the public debate.

A May 2002 Gallup poll of over 1,000 adults found that 53% of the respondents said abortion was morally wrong which was an increase of 8% since the question was asked a year ago. In an August USA TODAY poll regarding when abortion should be legal, only 25% said abortion should be legal under all circumstances with 73% saying abortion should be either illegal or legal only under certain circumstances. In June the Black America’s PAC polled 1,000 registered Black voters and found that 57% said they side with the prolife stance on the abortion issue.

All of this polling information is comforting; it demonstrates that we are in the majority. It proves that our proabortion opponents are a vocal minority, but unfortunately a vocal minority with huge financial assets and the backing of powerful institutions.

Fortunately on our side we have people; people who are committed to carrying the message of life in this election. I urge you to take up the challenge of our Adopt Five project. Starting now think of 5 friends, family or church members that you will contact about the importance of this election. Urge them to register to vote (deadline of October 7), keep them informed about our endorsed prolife candidates, and then remind them to vote on Tuesday, November 5th.

Jerome Lejeune, the French scientist who sacrificed his chance at a Nobel prize when he opposed abortion, said that “a society that kills its children has lost its soul and its hope.” He went on to describe what we prolifers face by writing, “Every day we will have to struggle, we will have to convince ourselves and others....come what may, and whatever happens to us, we will never abandon the little ones.”

I thank you for not losing hope, but instead remaining strong in your commitment not to abandon the little ones, and for your courage to take up the challenge of “adopting five” that will lead to the election of leaders with a true moral compass.

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