Politics 101 by Bev Ehlen, State Director

Transcription

1 Legislative Action Committee Fall, AD2008 P.O. Box 274 Chesterfield, Missouri Web: Tel: Fax: Politics 101 by Bev Ehlen, State Director We are near the end of the campaign season AD2008. After all the debates, the literature, the mail, the radio ads, the TV ads, the slams, the smears, the accusations, the rhetoric, what is a Christian to do? A Christian is to vote. Well, yes, we know that or should know that. The United States of America is a representative republic and the people are Caesar. We choose our leaders and by choosing our leaders, we are choosing public policy that will either advance the principles of the Bible or oppose those standards. Therefore, a Christian s first and foremost consideration in choosing a leader from County Commissioner to President is whether the candidate will uphold Biblical standards of righteousness and oppose those policies that encourage unrighteous behavior. There are few sources of candidate surveys for most of the offices for which the recipients of this newsletter will have to decide. The publication Frontline had information on the state representative and state senate races in their August issue. They will produce a publication for distribution for the November election that has information on federal and statewide candidates, judges and ballot issues. I would suggest you order a copy of Frontline from the CWA state office and then arrange to order some for your church, professional or social group in the years to come. Frontline is produced every election year for the April, August, and November elections. Clif Ehlen, Bev Ehlen, and State Rep. Jim Lembke at the breakfast reception where CWA members honored Bev as she assumed her new role as state director. In this newsletter we have published the answers we received from the statewide candidates. continued on page 5 The fight against Amendment 2: Our progress and how you can help! By Missouri Roundtable for Life Missouri Roundtable for Life is working to fight Amendment 2, a change to the Missouri constitution that narrowly passed in November, Our work is simple. We ve read the amendment in full, and we re spreading the truth about this change. Our publications reveal the amendment s impact step by step (available at under Research Publications ). In short, Amendment 2 creates a constitutional entitlement to ever-increasing funding of human cloning and stem cell research, including embryonic stem cell research. These practices were all legal before Amendment 2. The only thing Amendment 2 did was create a constitutional entitlement to taxpayer funding for such work. Where our tax dollars go is something about which we all care. See below for details on our work to educate Missourians and legislators and to state our case in the courts. We are making progress, and there are many ways you can help. Our efforts are an investment in a financially and ethically sound future for Missouri! continued on page 2

2 Amendment 2: Continued from page 1 Missouri Roundtable For Life is working on a fourprong approach to fight Amendment 2. First, we are trying to educate the public through presentations, distributing our Research Publications and engaging the proponents of human cloning in public forums. Second, we are working to educate and push the Legislature to pass a constitutional amendment to limit or repeal Amendment 2. Third, we have engaged the cloners in court through a number of lawsuits. Finally, Missouri Roundtable For Life is going to undertake an initiative petition drive to pass a constitutional amendment that would limit or repeal Amendment 2. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC? Missouri Roundtable for Life has published a number of research documents that expose the real impact of Amendment 2 on Missouri taxpayers and the Missouri Legislature s ability to control how and where to allocate our tax-dollars. Our research materials are available through our Regional Coordinators and our website, which is www. moroundtable.org. WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE COURTS? On March 19, we submitted three petitions to the Secretary of State, each proposing an amendment to the Constitution that limits or repeals the effects of Amendment 2. We hoped these would appear on the ballot this November but the Secretary of State s proposed language didn t accurately summarize our amendments. As a result, we filed three lawsuits that assert the insufficiency of her language. The lawsuits are pending. In addition, in an effort to clarify the power of Amendment 2 to override previously existing laws, on June 30, we asked the circuit court for a temporary restraining order to freeze funds in the Life Sciences Research Trust Fund ($21 million) until the court determines: 1) whether Amendment 2 provisions override those of the Life Sciences Research Trust Fund itself, by allowing funding of human cloning, abortion services and prohibited human research, all of which were originally prohibited under the fund s establishing provisions and 2) whether the appropriation authority of the state legislature is limited by Amendment 2 by the amendment s provision that entities receiving public funds for stem cell research be prohibited from having their state funding reduced. Our request for a temporary restraining order was denied, but we will have a hearing in the fall wherein a judge must answer these two questions. WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE LEGISLATURE? We continue to lobby state legislators through education as it is also possible for them to bring a petition that would allow citizens to vote to limit or repeal the powers of Amendment 2. We always encourage voters to contact their legislators to inform them of disapproval for Amendment 2. HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT AMENDMENT 2? Visit our website at We have coordinators around the state to spread the truth and tell how you can help (click on Find Your Local Coordinator on the website or call us at ). The presentation of the Patrick Henry Award to The Honorable Jim Lembke was well attended by many CWA members and others. On behalf of the Leadership Council, Bev Ehlen and Lois Linton presented the award to Rep. Lembke for the many years of his outstanding leadership in the Missouri House of Representatives. State Director Bev Ehlen and CWA member Karen Sievert visit with Sen. Mike Gibbons after they presented him with the Constitution Day gift his constituents sponsored in September.

3 Concerned Women for America Compare CWA s Core Issues to the National Party Platforms The mission of Concerned Women for America (CWA) is to protect and promote Biblical values among all citizens first through prayer, then education, and finally by influencing our society thereby reversing the decline in moral values in our nation. CWA s Core Issues National Democrat Platform National Republican Platform Family Family Family CWA believes that Opposes Defense of Marriage Act Calls for a Constitutional Amendment that fully marriage consists of one Supports equitable alignment of benefits protects marriage as a union between one man and man and one woman. Supports the full inclusion of gay and lesbian one woman We seek to protect and families in the life of the nation Recognizes the importance of having a married father support the Biblical Opposes Don t Ask, Don t Tell and mother in the house design of marriage and Enacted the Defense of Marriage Act while in the the gift of children. majority in Congress, affirming the right of states not to recognize same-sex marriages licensed in other states Opposes initiatives that erode parental rights Sanctity of Human Life Sanctity of Human Life Sanctity of Human Life CWA supports the protection of all innocent human life from conception until natural death. This includes the consequences resulting from abortion. Strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade Supports a woman s right to choose a safe and legal abortion at taxpayer expense, and opposes any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right Strongly supports access to comprehensive, affordable family planning services Strongly supports age-appropriate sex education, which supposedly empowers people to make informed choices and live healthy lives Supports embryonic stem-cell research and wishes to lift the current Administration s ban on using federal funding for embryonic stem cells Pornography Pornography Pornography CWA endeavors to fight all pornography and obscenity. Wishes to protect children from violence and neglect Will continue to increase funding to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs Will give parents tools to block the content that they find objectionable, both online and on television Supports the Violence Against Women Act Faithful to the first guarantee of the Declaration of Independence Affirms that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed Helped enact the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act Definition of abortion: fundamental assault on the sanctity of innocent human life. Supports a human life amendment to the Constitution Endorses legislation to clarify the Fourteenth Amendment s protections applying to unborn children Opposes the non-consensual withholding of care or treatment from people with disabilities, as well as the elderly and the infirm Opposes euthanasia & assisted suicide Will not fund organizations involved in abortion Supports the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 Believes that the executive branch must carry the fight overseas to where the evil is perpetrated Believes Congress should expand the range of companies required to report the existence of child porn Religious Liberty Religious Liberty Religious Liberty CWA supports the Godgiven rights of community groups to help meet challenges like of religion Will empower grassroots faith-based and Believes in the constitutional free exercise individuals poverty, ex-offender re-entry, and illiteracy Believes the Constitution prohibits the establishment in the United States and Doesn t believe that faith-based groups are a of a state-sponsored creed other nations to pray, replacement for government or secular non-profit Balance between these two ideals has been worship and express their programs distorted by judicial rulings which attempt to beliefs without fear of Ensures that partnerships with faith-based groups drive faith out of the public arena discrimination or do not endanger the First Amendment protections Supports the right of students to engage in persecution. because there is no conflict between supporting faithbased institutions and our Constitution athletic events, and graduations student-initiated, student-led prayer in public schools, Rejects the claim that the public display of the Ten Commandments violates the Constitution, believing that it accurately reflects the Judeo-Christian heritage of our country Deplores attacks against religious

4 CWA s Core Issues National Democrat Platform National Republican Platform Education Education Education CWA supports reform of public education by returning authority to parents. Solely government controlled, on a federal level Believes that strong public schools are the foundation of democratic community life Put kids in school, ages zero-five Supports and funds English Language Learner classes Supports the No Child Left Inside Act Promotes summer school Works to increase public school spending in hopes that the school system will improve Makes science, technology, engineering, and math education a national priority Supports comprehensive and affordable family planning services and age-appropriate sex-education Promotes after school care learning activities Supports minority serving institutions National Sovereignty National Sovereignty National Sovereignty CWA believes that neither the United Nations nor any other international organization should have authority over the United States in any area. We also believe the United States has the right and duty to protect and secure our national borders. Works to regain a partnership with Afghanistan Works to regain a partnership with Pakistan Works to regain a partnership with NATO Will seek to strengthen and broaden strategic partnership with Turkey Continues to support a close U.S. relationship with states that seek to strengthen ties to NATO and the West, such as Georgia and the Ukraine Pursues effective collaboration on pressing global issues among all major powers, such as China, India, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria, and South Africa Builds on close relationship with Israel Will work together with other countries to advance common interests Education is a parental right, a state and local responsibility, and a national strategic interest Supports values accountability for student academic achievement. Supports periodic testing on the fundamentals of learning, math, reading, history, and geography Supports parental involvement as well as classroom discipline Recognizes and appreciates the importance of homeschooling, and opposes over-reaching judicial decisions which deny children access to such environments Supports dual-credit programs as well as child care tax credit that helps parents choose the best care Calls for the enforcement of laws designed to protect family rights and privacy in education Opposes school-based clinics that provide referrals, counseling, and abortion-related services Opposes federally-regulated schools, opting instead for schools regulated by the state governments as well as local government Opposes the hiring, firing, tenure, and promotion practices at universities that discriminate on the basis of political or ideological belief Supports the right of college students to engage in ROTC on their own campus instead of being segregated elsewhere Wishes to improve public education by decreasing public school funding on unnecessary programs Believes that international organizations must never serve as a substitute for principled American leadership Believes the U.N. must reform its scandal- ridden and corrupt management and become more accountable and transparent in its operations and expenses. Believes American forces must remain under American control Believes that discrimination against Israel at the U.N. is unacceptable C o n c e r n e d W o m e n f o r A m e r i c a 1015 Fifteenth Street, N.W. Suite 1100 Washington, D.C Phone (202) Fax (202) Your tax deductible gift of $5, $10, $25, $100 to CWA of Missouri will enable us to continue our work here in Missouri.

5 2008 Presidential Candidate Comparison Senator John McCain Senator Barack Obama *To see Senator McCain s key votes, click cwfa.capwiz.com/bio/ id/192&lvl=c&chamber=s *To see Senator Obama s key votes, click cwfa.capwiz.com/cwfa/bio/ id/3181&lvl=c&chamber=s Sanctity of Life Definition of Family Supports tax deductions for adoption expenses Opposes creation of embryos for research, but voted for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research Voted for Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Voted for Born Alive Infant Protection Act Voted for Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Co-sponsor Child Custody Protection Act Voted for unborn child protection in the State Children s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Opposes Federal funding of organizations that perform abortions Believes marriage is a union between one man and one woman only Voted for Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Voted against Federal Marriage Amendment Supports AZ and other state marriage protection amendments Some statements opposing same-sex adoption, other statements saying states should decide Co-sponsored bill permitting tax deductions for adoption expenses Definition of Family Sanctity of Life Co-sponsor of Freedom of Choice Act, which would eliminate all federal and state pro-life laws Opposes Federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban Voted against Partial Birth Abortion Ban as State Senator Opposed Born-Alive Infant Protection Act as State Senator Supports embryonic stem cell research Voted against Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Voted against unborn child protection under SCHIP Supports Federal funding of organizations that perform abortions Would overturn Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Supports giving legal rights accompanying a marriage license to samesex couples, including adoption Co-sponsor Equal Rights Amendment Voted against Federal Marriage Amendment Believes Federal government should recognize same-sex marriages or civil unions recognized by certain states Education Supports parental rights in school choice, including vouchers; Supports DC voucher program Judiciary Voted for and promised to nominate judges similar to John Roberts and Samuel Alito Voted to confirm Judge Leslie Southwick Education Supports expansion of government schools to include ages zero to five Opposes school vouchers Judiciary Voted against confirmation of John Roberts and Samuel Alito Voted against confirmation of Judge Leslie Southwick Religious Liberty Voted against hate crimes legislation Voted against the Employment Non- Discrimination Act (ENDA) Religious Liberty Co-sponsor Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill Supports the Employment Non- Discrimination Act (ENDA) Health Care Opposes universal government (taxpayer funded) health care Taxes Voted for Tax Relief Act of 2005, which extended tax cuts for tuition payments, insurance premiums and credits for state sales tax payments Health Care Supports universal government (taxpayer funded) health care Taxes Voted against Tax Relief Act of 2005, which extended tax cuts for tuition payments, insurance premiums and credits for state sales tax payments Other Opposes repeal of ban on homosexuals in the military Voted for the 2007 update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Other Supports repeal of ban on homosexuals in the military Voted for the 2007 update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)

6 Statewide Candidate Survey Questions Asked: 1. Do you support efforts to expand legal access for the Morning-After Pill and RU-486 for minors? 2. Do you support the right of conscience that protects all healthcare institutions, pharmacists and individuals from being forced to participate in abortions or distribute contraceptives? 3. Do you support a total ban on human cloning, including research to create or attempt to create a human embryo at any stage, which shall include the one-cell stage onward, by any means other than fertilization of a human egg by a human sperm? 4. Do you support a total ban on all research on embryonic stem-cells? 5. Do you support legislation to allow the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration (food and water) from terminally ill patients? 6. Do you support the efforts to move that the sale of pornography is prohibited or regulated to the full extent possible under the First Amendment? 7. Do you oppose any effort to allow sexual orientation from ever being a relevant criterion for asserting any rights under the law, including marriage, domestic partnerships, civil unions, hate crimes, adoption, and Boy Scout leaders? 8. Do you support tuition tax credits or tax deductions for parents with children in private schools? 9. Do you support protection for the practices and curriculum of private schools that choose to participate in school voucher programs? Do you agree they should be protected from governmental control and regulation? 10. Do you support the right of parents to have their children exempted or opted out from public school classes that teach material contradicting their personal, moral or religious beliefs? 11. Do you oppose all tax increases to solve budgetary problems? 12. Do you support the use or the expansion of casinos, riverboats, gambling on Indian reservations and the state lottery? 13. Do you support the effort to lift the $500 loss limit? 14. Do you support religious expression in a public setting? (For example-the Ten Commandments, memorials, prayer and religious art.) Q Governor Lt. Governor Secretary of State Treasurer Attorney General Kenny Hulshof Jay Nixon Peter Kinder Sam Page Mitch Hubbard Robin Carnahan Brad Lager Clint Zweifel Mike Gibbons Chris Koster #1 No NR NR NR No NR NR NR No NR #2 Yes NR NR NR Yes NR NR NR Yes NR #3 Yes NR NR NR Yes NR NR NR Yes NR #4 Yes NR NR NR Yes NR NR NR Yes NR #5 No NR NR NR No NR NR NR No NR #6 Yes NR NR NR Yes NR NR NR Yes NR #7 Yes NR NR NR Yes NR NR NR Yes NR #8 Yes NR NR NR Yes NR NR NR *Yes NR #9 Yes NR NR NR Yes NR NR NR Yes NR #10 Yes NR NR NR Yes NR NR NR Yes NR #11 Yes NR NR NR No NR NR NR Yes NR #12 No NR NR NR No NR NR NR No NR #13 No NR NR NR No NR NR NR No NR #14 Yes NR NR NR Yes NR NR NR Yes NR *Yes, in school districts failing their students. NR means the candidate did not return the survey.

7 Politics continued from page 1 Several chose not to respond even with our follow up. We have listed the responses of those who did. Another and perhaps the most dependable resource is the platform of the party of the candidate. While the beliefs of the individual candidate are very important and telling, the party itself will hold the keys to either uniting with that elected official to advance the cause of the party or block the efforts of that candidate if that candidate s personal beliefs differ from the party s platform. That is just the way it works. Therefore, one really needs to understand the party platform as much as the candidate s individual views and actions on an issue. We have included a party platform comparison for the two major political parties to help make it easy for you to see the differences in them. We have not included any other party s platform because we are dealing with reality. There are two major parties in this country at this time. The next president, governor, secretary of state, etc will be from one of those two major parties. The only hope that our country has is in God and as Christians we should know that. The Church is also who holds the key to our country becoming healthy once again. God promises to heal our land when His people repent and turn from OUR wicked ways. Sadly, the typical Christian in America is distracted and has adopted the lies of the world and doesn t even know that there is something from which to repent. Until His people wake up, we have what we have in the political arena. We have just a little time before the election on November 4. You can make a difference. You must pray. You can encourage your friends, family and fellow church member to vote for the person/party that lines up with their values. You can contact the local entity of the party that holds your values and volunteer. You can contact the candidate s campaign and do those things that they tell you are important. You can certainly spread the word about Proposition A via printed material or DVD. You are only one person, but you can make a difference. As John Hancock once said, I urge you, by all that is dear, by all that is honorable, by all that is sacred, not only that ye pray but that ye act. Sounds like a good motto. Life Chain AD2008 CWA members across Missouri led or participated in the Life Chain in their area. Young Concerned Women for America participate in Life Chain. In The Bible, Voters and the 2008 Election, David Barton has listed four non-negotiables that a Biblical voter should verify about a candidate s position. Where does he/she stand on: Protecting the unborn human life Opposing the ennoblement of homosexuality Public acknowledging God and honoring Him in policy Appointing or approving originalist judges There are other important issues-the economy, national sovereignty, illegal immigration. But the first consideration should be will God s principles be advanced or protected by this candidate? The other issues have Biblical solutions as well and who better to have in office to address those issues than one who understands and is there to protect Biblical values in the first place. CWA leaders from across Missouri attended Training Camp in Jeff City in August with National Field Director Kenda Bartlett. Some of the participants pose in the Senate Chambers during their Friday afternoon at the State Capitol. To order the 32 page Frontline Voter s Guide, send $5 to CWA of Missouri, PO Box 274 Chesterfield, MO

8 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID CHESTERFIELD, MO PERMIT #52 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID CHESTERFIELD, MO PERMIT #52 P.O. Box 274 Address Label Here It is time to renew your CWA membership for AD2009! Remember if you renew your membership through CWA of Missouri, the money will stay here in Missouri to work on Missouri issues. You will be a member of the national organization as well and will get communications from them. Membership is a suggested donation of $25 or more per person. _ Name _ Address City Zip _ Phone number address Please send me information on: Encourage-A-Legislator program Becoming a Prayer/Action Chapter leader or joining a Prayer/Action Chapter in my area Letter to the Editor program Contacting my elected officials both state and federal Hosting a CWA informational meeting in my area