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May I have your thoughts? This gentleman wrote a somewhat simple, but scathing letter about Catholics and pro-Life. It's self-explantory.
Support family, faith and flag candidates this year
I’m responding to a recent letter to the editor “Support pro-life candidates this year” written by Mr. Norman Lowrey of the RI Veteran’s Home in Bristol. First, as a veteran myself, thank you for your service to our country. Second, I agree with your opinion the primaries (September 12, 2006) are where the public gets to decide who will represent them in the general election (November 7, 2006). This is true for Independent voters, too. I also respect how faith is important to your family values. Mine, too.
Pregnancy termination is a very difficult and personal issue. Two-thirds of Rhode Islanders are pro-Choice. This is true for Sheldon Whitehouse, a primary opponent of mine, as well as Senator Lincoln Chafee, the incumbent. I think many pro-lifers will agree the goal is to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, not have mostly men legislate what women do with their bodies. This is not the top issue for most voters.
Being Catholic does not make me morally superior. Being compassionate and having convictions may. My goal is progress, not perfection. Terminations should remain legal when a woman’s life or physical health is in danger, when pregnancy is caused by rape or incest and in most cases during early pregnancy. I stand for women equality, which means reducing government intrusion in the bedroom and to have terminations “safe, legal and rare”. Norman, I think Luke 6:37 is where Jesus instructed “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned…”
Frankly, people vote on a candidate based upon getting serious on values’ issues like rolling back millionaire tax cuts, Homeland Security, ending energy dependence, the Iraq war as well as greed and materialism. I think these issues impact our hope and are more central to our middle class values. This is why I support faith-based movements to combat poverty like the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
“God is not a registered Republican.” We’re both optimists. I pray he’s on my side. I think we’d agree faith and convictions in public policy is a covenant centered on issues of economic security, health care, educational opportunity and equality. “We the people” means the public doing their part and being engaged in our elections in order to rebuild stronger families and stronger communities. Shared values means we need open, honest and ethical elected officials who are going to put family, faith and flag first.
Carl Sheeler for US Senate www.carlsheeler.com
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