I almost gave a little “woo hoo!” when our priest read a letter from our bishop, reminding Catholics that the U.S. Bishops support health care reform that provides for quality health care for all people, but that the current bills do not provide adequate care for the poor, immigrants, some elderly and the unborn. Every Catholic parish should have had a bulletin insert from the bishops giving us some action steps to follow to make our voices heard.
As we walked out of church, my husband said, “Do you really think that would make a difference at all?” It was an honest question, and he’s got a reason to be cynical. I was a bit incensed, though, and in my optimism/passion/naivete I cried, “But imagine if ALL Catholics actually did what the bishops said! That’s 1/3 of our country! Plus all the Christians who believe the same way…the politicians are supposed to listen to their constituents…” I drifted off.
Then again, we speak with our votes, too.
Regardless of how you voted last November, commemorate the first Tuesday of November today by making a phone call or sending an email (or both) to make your voice heard. If you’re Catholic, you’ve got this information, but in case you have trouble getting papers to the computer in a timely fashion (like I do!), I’ll make it even easier. If you’re not Catholic but believe that abortion is not health care, join in! Just click from here:
- To send a pre-written, instant email to Congress go to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Action page.
- I added this to the beginning of the form letter: “Regardless of what you personally believe about abortion, please don’t force doctors to compromise their moral code and perform them. Language needs to be changed to separate D&Cs for miscarriage and “live abortions”. The former is health care; the latter is not.”
- Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121.
- Message to Senate: “During floor debate on the health care reform bill, please support an amendment to incorporate longstanding policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”
- Message to House: “Please support the Stupak Amendment that addresses essential pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights in the health care reform bill. Help ensure that the Rule for the bill allows a vote on this amendment. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”
- When? Act today! Both House and Senate are preparing for floor votes now!
The above is quoted from the USCCB Nationwide Bulletin Insert.
Why is this important? View some facts on the bill here.
As vital as good health care is, if it’s at the expense of human life, our priorities are skewed. For whom are we caring if we don’t allow our nation’s children to be born to benefit from the health care bill? (My philosophy here.)
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Just wanted you to know that your link over at Tackle It Tues. brings me to an error page. When I clicked Front Page it brought me to your post! Thank you for alerting me to this!
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Done! Thank you for calling attention to this very important matter and standing up for those who cannot defend themselves. Blessings!
Lenetta @ Nettacow´s last blog ..Dehydrator Giveaway!
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Thank you for this information – it was a simple way to voice my concern!
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Thanks so much for this reminder, Katie, I meant to do this after Mass Sunday but hadn’t got to it yet, then I couldn’t find the bulletin with the link. You made it easy for me.
Kelly
Kelly the Kitchen Kop´s last blog ..Monday Mix-Up 11/2/09
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a bit off topic,but is does 1/3of the USA really identify as Catholic? or did you mean Christian? just curious.
emily´s last blog ..Real Eggs, Bread and Jam!
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Katie Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Emily,
Katie
good question – now that you mention it, that might be a world figure. Or maybe it’s Christian, but I think in the US Christians are more of a percentage than 1/3. Too many numbers in my head! Good thing this one didn’t make or break the post…
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emily Reply:
November 5th, 2009 at 10:21 am
I was just curious, I think it’s awesome that the Bishop cares about those in need getting health care. The Catholic church has a good history of caring for people who are otherwise marginalized in the world, and I appreciate this.
emily´s last blog ..Coconut Cocoa Almond Macaroons
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Thanks for writing about this Katie!
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Thanks for posting about this! I agree totally.
I love your blog, so I passed along the Over the Top award to you. Read more about it at my post today: http://quickeasycheaphealthy.blogspot.com/2009/11/blessed-are-flexible.html
Anne´s last blog ..Blessed are the Flexible…
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Katie Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Thanks, Ann! I couldn’t get a comment to go at your site, so:
I’m honored to be on this list of well-respected bloggers whom I read as well! Thank you! Don’t know if I’ll ever find the time to answer the Qs, though…
Katie
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Of course the bishops are right that we can’t be made to pay for abortion.
However, they forget the spiritual dangers of socialism when they seem to support the bill otherwise.
I don’t think our system is perfect by any means. But don’t buy into government control!
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/11/07/the_costs_of_medical_care_part_iv__98984.html
Leila´s last blog ..Make menus. Really.
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Another concern of mine is protecting the lives of those who are “of no use” to society. I currently have some friends in Canada who are fighting to keep their 2 1/2 month old baby on life support against the doctor’s orders. His name is Isaiah James and he is improving! Check out his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=167085117294&ref=ts
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Katie Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Elisa,
Thank you so much for sharing – there are a lot of tender issues in this “culture of death” we live in. We need lots and lots of prayer as a society to value life in all its stages.
Katie
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Elisa Berry Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Absolutely Katie. The “culture of death” comes from a Greek mindset. The Hebrew mindset views death as being our enemy. In Revelation death gets thrown into the Lake of fire! We were not meant to die! The Greeks, however viewed death as “our friend”, a liberator from the misery of life. I believe that is where euthanasia comes from, and even abortion to a degree.
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