This is an open letter that I sent to Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) about the Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment which would ban federal funding of abortions in any new health care bill passed.

You can contact him yourself by calling (202) 224-5274
(Note: when I called it went straight to voicemail and the mailbox was full)

You can also contact him by e-mail here.

Dear Senator Bill Nelson,

I know from your history on the issue of abortion that you will probably oppose the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment, but I urge you, as a constituent in your state, to consider that a November CNN poll found that 61% of Americans reject federal funding of abortions.

It is a violation of the taxpayers' consciences to force us to fund elective abortions or plans that cover elective abortions.

All the Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment does is ensure that the long-standing language of the Hyde Amendment remains consistent in our nation's health care.

I must inform you that the respect for life is the most important issue to me when I vote. I will not support any politician that believes it is acceptable to end an innocent life in any situation. I personally know many other voters who would agree. I am sharing this letter (along with your response) with them and urging them to contact you as well.

Please respect the wishes of your constituents and the lives of the defenseless.

Please vote yes on the Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ensley

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The Manhattan Declaration is a fantastically well-written document, and I believe in it so much that I'm encouraging everyone to sign it.

Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.

We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:

1. the sanctity of human life
2. the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
3. the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

If you believe in what it says and want to add your signature:

Go to the homepage and click Sign the Declaration

Here is the Declaration in its entirety:

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I never thought I'd be saying this, but the New York Times agrees with me. For anyone who thought I was making unfair conclusions, even the New York Times acknowledges that the president lied and abortion would be covered by the proposed plan.

From the article:

...his assertion that “no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions” is not so clear-cut.

...

Existing restrictions on the use of federal money for abortion would remain in place, as Mr. Obama stated. But in practice, the public and private money would all go into the same pot, and the source of money for any single procedure is largely a technicality.

See for yourself:
Check Point: Examining Obama’s Assertions
By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN
Published: September 9, 2009

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