Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Part I - Personal PAC Legislative Questionnaire -- Predicts Overturn of Roe v. Wade – Ploy, Says Pro-Life Opponent
Cosgrove says that his organization identifies, educates and brings to the polls large numbers of pro-choice voters in targeted state House and Senate districts to “…well over 100,000 voters.”
The letter is dated December 13th and replies are due December 27th.
If someone can think of a detail in the abortion debate that the questionnaire does not cover, it would be surprising.
On page 1, under the heading “Protecting the Lives and Health of Illinois Women,” the first question is worded interestingly, actually using the word “death,” but not with regard to aborted children:
“If the Illinois General Assembly were considering a law to criminalize all abortions, except procedures to prevent a woman’s death, would you OPPOSE this legislation?”
Just in case the candidate is in doubt as to which answer is desired by this special interest group, the question puts the “correct” answer in capital letters and in bold face type.
The second question prints the oath of office that each legislator takes, pledging to uphold the U.S. and Illinois constitutions and then points to the Parental Notice Act of 1995 and the “so-called” Partial Birth Abortion Act (1997) as acts which have been held unconstitutional. The question asked is whether “you will OPPOSE all future anti-abortion legislation that is similar to previous legislation that was held unconstitutional.”
Since Cosgrove apparently thinks the U.S. Supreme Court is about to loosen its constitutional interpretation of Roe v. Wade, this is an interesting question. One might wonder if a candidate would be off the Personal PAC hood if the federal court’s interpretation changes.
Nah.
In its question about parental notification or consent, Personal PAC appeals to the authority of numerous medical trade associations and uncited atrocities that have supposedly occurred where such laws are in force. Ignored are survey research results showing public support. It is interested in the judicial by-pass aspect, however.
Fall-back positions are given—lowering to age 16 the age of consent for an abortion and allowing non-parents to approve them (much as the previously criticized 1995 Illinois did). Let “aunts, uncles, adult siblings, social workers (for Planned Parenthood?), nurses (at an abortion clinic?) and clergy” substitute for parents, Personal PAC wants to know.
To return to McHenry County Blog, click here.
The letter is dated December 13th and replies are due December 27th.
If someone can think of a detail in the abortion debate that the questionnaire does not cover, it would be surprising.
On page 1, under the heading “Protecting the Lives and Health of Illinois Women,” the first question is worded interestingly, actually using the word “death,” but not with regard to aborted children:
“If the Illinois General Assembly were considering a law to criminalize all abortions, except procedures to prevent a woman’s death, would you OPPOSE this legislation?”
Just in case the candidate is in doubt as to which answer is desired by this special interest group, the question puts the “correct” answer in capital letters and in bold face type.
The second question prints the oath of office that each legislator takes, pledging to uphold the U.S. and Illinois constitutions and then points to the Parental Notice Act of 1995 and the “so-called” Partial Birth Abortion Act (1997) as acts which have been held unconstitutional. The question asked is whether “you will OPPOSE all future anti-abortion legislation that is similar to previous legislation that was held unconstitutional.”
Since Cosgrove apparently thinks the U.S. Supreme Court is about to loosen its constitutional interpretation of Roe v. Wade, this is an interesting question. One might wonder if a candidate would be off the Personal PAC hood if the federal court’s interpretation changes.
Nah.
In its question about parental notification or consent, Personal PAC appeals to the authority of numerous medical trade associations and uncited atrocities that have supposedly occurred where such laws are in force. Ignored are survey research results showing public support. It is interested in the judicial by-pass aspect, however.
Fall-back positions are given—lowering to age 16 the age of consent for an abortion and allowing non-parents to approve them (much as the previously criticized 1995 Illinois did). Let “aunts, uncles, adult siblings, social workers (for Planned Parenthood?), nurses (at an abortion clinic?) and clergy” substitute for parents, Personal PAC wants to know.
To return to McHenry County Blog, click here.
# posted by Cal Skinner : 2:09 PM
