TAKE THE PLEDGELes Femmes is partnering with Virginians for Life to encourage registered voters and politicians to "Take the Pro-Life Pledge." What is it? It's really two pledges, one for politicians and one for voters. We want the politicians to pledge NOT TO VOTE FOR ANY LEGISLATION THAT GIVES ONE PENNY TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD. Voters, on the other hand, promise NOT TO VOTE IN THE NEXT ELECTION FOR ANY POLITICIAN WHO SUPPORTS LEGISLATION THAT GIVES TAX MONEY TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD. This is a truly non-partisan pledge that targets lawmakers on both sides of the aisle if they vote to give our tax dollars to the biggest abortion provider in the world. We need to make politicians see financing Planned Parenthood as the kiss of death, the equivalent of voting money to the Ku Klux Klan. Planned Parenthood should be just as much of a pariah and we can make it so. Too many politicians talk the talk, but when it comes to walking the walk it's another story. The pro-life pledge is a simple, direct, and easily measured test of a politician's pro-life credentials. And the voter doesn't promise NEVER to vote for the candidate again -- just in the next election. This strategy can be particularly effective in local races with a smaller voter base. For example, your state delegate claims to be pro-life, but is willing to compromise on numerous occasions. He receives 300 pledges on his desk from local constitutients. In the last election he won by 250 votes. Get the picture? You aren't threatening the politician, just demonstrating cause and effect. "You give my money to Planned Parenthood....I won't vote for you next election. Period!" This is a pilot program and hopefully it will be expanded across the country. Those in other states can run off the pledge form as well, and send it to their politicians. In Virginia, however, send your pledge (and hopefully a donation) to: Virginians for Life Let's defund Planned Parenthood by cutting them off from the government milk cow. Mary Ann Kreitzer |