Transforming society to respect and protect all innocent human life. July/August 2012 Supreme Court Upholds National Pro-Life Leaders react to Obama Health Care Law Supreme Court Upholding ObamaCare

he message of the disappointing Supreme Court decision National Right to Life President Carol Tobias: “All voters who Ton the Obama Health Care Law is that elections matter! care about the value and dignity of human life must do everything Pro-life people must work to replace this pro-abortion president and they can to elect Mitt Romney and a Congress who are committed U.S. Senate with a pro-life president and with pro-life leadership in the to repeal of ObamaCare. If President Obama wins re-election, it Senate. will mean massive abortion subsidies, and it will put the lives of While the challenges to the law were not based on the life millions at risk through systematic government-imposed rationing issue, this 5 to 4 decision is a devastating setback for all who of lifesaving medical care.” believe in the sanctity of life and in the freedoms upon which Family Research Council: “(This) Supreme Court decision will do this country was founded. serious harm to American families. Not only is the individual man- The Obama Health Care Law contains multiple provi- date a profound attack on our liberties, but it is only one section sions that provide authorizations for subsidies for abortion, among hundreds of provisions in the law that will force taxpayers both implicit and explicit, and multiple provisions which may to fund abortions, violate their conscience rights, and be used as bases for abortion-expanding administrative actions. impose a massive tax and debt burden on American This is a sharp departure from decades of previous federal families. The Obama administration has created, policy under the Hyde Amendment, the Federal Employees for the first time in American history, new Health Benefits program, and other federal programs. federal regulations that toss aside the constitu- In addition, doctors, hospitals, and other tional right to religious freedom by forcing health care providers will be told by Wash- religious institutions and employers to pay ington just what diagnostic tests and for abortion-causing drugs, contracep- medical care are considered to tives, and sterilizations. It’s now time meet “quality and efficiency” to replace those leaders who disre- standards. garded the constitutional limitations of their authority and the deeply held These standards are spe- religious beliefs of their constituents, voting cifically designed to limit the for the government takeover of healthcare.” funds that Americans may choose to spend on health care so that they Alliance Defense Fund: “ObamaCare treats American citizens cannot keep up with the rate of medi- like subjects. This administration has used health care law to be- cal inflation. Treatment that a doctor come a dictator of conscience. The court’s decision is alarming and and a patient deem needed or advisable deeply wrong. ObamaCare holds your health care hostage and offers to save the patient’s life or preserve or im- no real choice. Either comply and abandon your religious freedom prove the patient’s health -- but which runs and conscience, or resist and be fined for your faith.” afoul of the imposed standards -- will be denied, even if the patient is willing and able to pay for it. In effect, there will be Faith in Action Director Rev. Rob Schenk: “This opinion may one uniform, national standard of care, established by Wash- allow government to compel people to pay into the system, but it ington bureaucrats, that is designed to limit what private citi- can’t compel any of us to abandon our most deeply held convic- zens are allowed to spend to save their own lives. tions. This is a moral, spiritual, and ethical crisis. People of con- This decision makes it absolutely imperative that this law science will need to make difficult decisions, including engaging in be repealed by the next congress and president. Right conscientious objection or even respectful civil disobedience, which to Life Political Action Committee will work diligently to se- may bring painful penalties with it. It’s time to be prayerful, brave cure a strong pro-life congress and president committed to and strong. From here on we will need help from God and from repealing this life-destroying legislation. one another.” Missouri Right to Life Political Action Committees Endorsement Criteria As the oldest and largest grassroots, single-issue pro-life However, a vote on particularly egregious legislation can organization in the state, Missouri Right to Life, through its disqualify a candidate from endorsement in spite of an otherwise Political Action Committees (MRL PAC), strives to elect pro- acceptable voting record. Such is the case this year for candidates life candidates at the state and the federal levels. By endorsing who voted for the Missouri Science Innovation & Reinvestment candidates who meet specific criteria and by rating all candidates, Act (MOSIRA) without protective language during the 2011 special MRL PAC provides the most comprehensive guidance to the pro- session of the General Assembly. life voters of Missouri on which candidates would best advance • Interviews - In some races, members of MRL PAC may conduct the cause of life. a personal interview with a candidate. MRL PAC endorsements are non-partisan and are based on MRL PAC will also consider a candidate’s history of pro-life the following guidelines: activism, public statements, and input from MRL members in a • Pro-life Survey - A candidate must complete an MRL PAC candidate’s district. or National Right to Life PAC survey verifying their pro-life The PAC believes that an incumbent with a pro-life record position on abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, embryonic running for re-election deserves a single endorsement, but stem cell research, and other issues that fall under the purview redistricting in Missouri this year has eliminated incumbency status of MRL. in most races. In races with no pro-life incumbent and where all • Voting record - When a candidate has held office, whether candidates meet MRL PAC endorsement criteria, MRL PAC will running for the same seat or a different seat, MRL PAC do multiple endorsements. considers up to a four-year voting record to determine a In a race with two or more pro-life candidates and one or more candidate’s eligibility for endorsement. The percentage of viable anti-life candidates, or viable candidates whose position is pro-life votes required for endorsement is determined by MRL unknown, MRL PAC will likely endorse a single candidate in hopes PAC and takes into consideration not only the candidate’s of avoiding a split in the pro-life vote. MRL PAC also considers votes, but also the degree of involvement in advancing pro- the political realities and circumstances of each race. life legislation and the importance of specific votes. MRL PAC reserves the right to withdraw an endorsement should there be reason to believe a candidate has been untruthful or has changed a position on life issues. Additionally, MRL PAC believes in giving candidates opportunities to The greatest gift that parents give to advance the cause of life if they have moved from their children is the gift of life. a less pro-life position to a stronger one. For Mother’s Day and for Father’s Day, these parents were honored Primary endorsements made by MRL PAC with a Tribute Gift to Missouri Right to Life Education Fund. do not necessarily roll over to General Election races. MRL PAC will release General Election endorsements following the Primary Election. MOTHER’S DAY HONORS Anne Dierks by Mark Dierks Columbia Planned Parenthood Frances Martin by Patty Skain suspends abortions Virginia Ernstmann by Glen & Mary Ernstmann Lucile Edmonds by Mary & Glen Ernstmann The Columbia Missourian has reported that Planned Parenthood (PP) Columbia has suspend- Shirley Brown by Bev Ehlen ed abortions indefinitely. This has been confirmed Rose Landholt by Mary Lou Frank by the 40 Days For Life team which maintains a Dorothy June Hoard by Larry Hoard year-round presence on the sidewalks outside of Lois A. Milford by Christine Hoffmeyer PP on the days that mothers come for abortion Pam Fichter by Dan, Doug & Nick Fichter counseling or for procedures. Pam Fichter by Tom Fichter Planned Parenthood cites the lack of an abor- tion doctor as the reason for the suspension, Josephine and Regina by Walter & Janet Knaust something that has been a recurring situation at this facility. The 40 Days For Life team’s peaceful, Father’s Day Honors prayerful intercession has saved many babies, and Arthur Walz by Pam Fichter they are again thankful that babies and their moth- Richard Kerckhoff by Randy Kerckhoff ers, at least for a time, will be spared the tragedy of abortion. Thomas Gottschamer by Family “We have been praising and thanking God Sam Perry by Lynda since we found this out,” said Mike & Kathy Forck, Jim Wilcox by Jim Campaign Directors. “We pray they will not be able to find another doctor to replace the last one.” Mi s s o u r i Ri g h t t o Li f e Po l i t i c a l Ac t i o n Co mm i t t e e s Ca n d i d a t e Ra t i n g s a n d En d o r s e m e n t s Primary Election -- August 7, 2012 Below are the candidates of the major parties and their ratings by Missouri Right to Life. Ratings are based on surveys, public statements, public record, voting records for those who presently hold or previously held office, interviews, and information from those in the districts. Those candidates listed in BOLD CAPS are endorsed by Missouri Right to Life Political Action Committee for the August 7 primary election.

To identify the legislative district numbers for the area in which you live, please refer to your name and address area on the back of this newsletter. Your congressional, state senate, and state house district numbers appear there, above your name.

Key U.S. Congress District 2 Missouri Statewide Because redistricting took effect this John Morris (R) PL Governor year, there are no incumbent listings (R) PL John D. Weiler (R) NR James O. Baker (R) PL R Republican David (Dave) Spence (R) PL Randy Jotte (R) PL Bill Randles (R) PL D Democrat Marshall Works (D) NR Fred Sauer (R) PL C Constitution George (Boots) Weber (D) M Jeremiah (Jay) Nixon (D) AL i PL Pro-life Harold Whitfield (D) NR Clay Thunderhawk (D) PL Glenn Koenen (D) NR M Mixed William B. Campbell (D) NR AL Anti-life U.S. Congress District 3 Lieutenant Governor NR No response to survey (R) PL Charles W. Kullman (R) PL Eric C. Mayer (D) NR * As a legislator, voted for Brad Lager (R) PL* MOSIRA, thus ineligible for U.S. Congress District 4 Peter Kinder (R) PL endorsement. MOSIRA is (R) PL Mike Carter (R) NR the funding mechanism for Bernie Mowinski (R) M (D) NR tax dollars to be used for Teresa Hensley (D) AL i Dennis Weisenburger (D) NR human cloning and for Fred Kratky (D) NR/M embryonic stem cell research U.S. Congress District 5 Becky Lee Plattner (D) NR Jason Greene (R) PL (D) AL i i Current or past endorsement Jacob Turk (R) PL Sara Lampe (D) AL i by anti-life organization (R) PL* Jackie Townes McGee (D) NR Ron Paul Shawd (R) NR Bill (William) Haas (D) NR BOLD CAPS = MRL-PAC ENDORSED II (D) AL i Cynthia L. Davis (C) PL Federal U.S. Congress District 6 Secretary of State Bob Gough (R) PL U.S. Senate Scott Rupp (R) PL (R) PL Shane Schoeller (R) PL* (R) PL Christopher Ryan (R) NR Jerry Beck (R) NR (R) M * Kyle Yarber (D) NR Jason Kander (D) ALi* (R) PL Ted Rights (D) NR John G. Brunner (R) PL MD Rabbi Alam (D) PL Ronald Wm. Harris (D) NR Mark Memoly (R) M W. A. (Bill) Hedge (D) NR State Treasurer Mark Patrick Lodes (R) NR Cole McNary (R) NR/PL* Robert Poole (R) PL U.S. Congress District 7 Clint Zweifel (D) AL i Hector Maldonado (R) NR Tom Stilson (R) PL Claire McCaskill (D) AL i (R) PL Attorney General (R) PL Ed Martin (R) PL U.S. Congress District 1 Jim Evans (D) NR Adam Lee Warren (R) PL Robyn Hamlin (R) M (D) AL Martin D. Baker (R) PL U.S. Congress District 8 Candice Britton (D) NR Bob Parker (R) PL (D) AL i Jo Ann Emerson (R) PL i (D) AL Jack Rushin (D) NR (continued next page)

This MRL News paid for in part by Missouri Right to Life Political Action Committees, Patricia Skain Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. MO Senate District 33 District 16 District 1 Mike Cunningham (R) NR/M Noel J. Shull (R) M (R) PL Don Wells (R) PL Vic Hurlbert (R) PL Sue Schoemehl (D) PL Ward Franz (R) NR/PL* Jim Sweere (D) NR (D) ALi* MO House of Representatives District 17 District 3 Myron Neth (R) NR/PL* Gary Romine (R) PL District 1 (D) NR Mike Thomson (R) PL* Terry Varner (R) PL District 18 Joseph Fallert, Jr.(D) PL District 2 Jay Swearingen (D) AL i* (R) NR/PL* District 5 District 19 i Robin Wright-Jones (D) AL * District 3 John Joseph Rizzo (D) AL* (D) AL i Nate Walker (R) PL District 20 District 7 Rebecca McClanahan (D) ALi (R) PL (D) AL i* District 4 John A. Mayfield (D) PL Crystal Williams (D) AL i Craig Redmon (R) NR/PL* District 21 District 9 District 5 Vicki Riley (R) PL Shalonn (Kiki) Curls (D) AL i* Lindell F. Shumake (R) PL Ira Anders (D) AL* District 11 (D) PL District 22 Paul LeVota (D) AL District 6 (D) AL i District 13 Ron Gillett (R) PL Henry Carner (D) PL Tony Askew (R) PL Jacquelyn Thomas (R) PL District 23 Gina Walsh (D) M Alan R. Wyatt (R) PL Randy D. Dunn (D) NR Redditt Hudson (D) NR (R) PL Derron L. Black (D) NR Diana J. Scott (D) PL District 15 Erik K. Stafford (D) NR Eric Schmitt (R) M* District 7 Mike Lair (R) PL* District 24 Jonathan Sternberg (R) NR District 17 John A. Myers (R) NR (R) NR/PL* (D) AL i Harry Wyse (D) PL Sandra Reeves (D) AL i Sarah Gillooly (D) NR Travis Gonzalez (D) PL District 19 District 25 District 8 Kurt Schaefer (R) NR/M * Joshua Judy (R) NR James W. (Jim) Neely (R) PL Mary Wynne Still (D) AL i* Sally Miller (R) PL James T. (Jim) Crenshaw (D) NR Jeremy LaFaver (D) AL i District 21 Clint Hylton (D) NR David Pearce (R) NR/M* District 26 District 9 Mike McGhee (R) PL* Gail McCann Beatty (D) AL i Delus Johnson (R) PL ElGene Ver Dught (D) NR District 27 District 10 District 23 Bill Clinton Young (D) NR Pat Conway (D) AL * Tom Dempsey (R) NR/M* Bonnaye V. Mims (D) AL i District 11 District 25 Adnan Bayazid (D) PL Galen Wayne Higdon Jr. (R) NR/PL* (R) PL District 28 Terry Swinger (D) PL District 12 Jim Aziere (R) PL Ken Wilson (R) PL Tom McDonald (D) AL i* District 27 (R) PL Patrick J. Riehle (D) NR (R) PL Ellen Brandom (R) PL* District 13 District 29 Nick Marshall (R) PL Noel Torpey (R) PL* District 29 Gerry Byrne (D) NR John Sutton (D) NR James E. Strahan (R) PL Gayle (Abigayle) Wridge (R) PL District 14 District 30 (R) PL Ron Schieber (R) PL (R) PL* Jim Strafuss (R) PL Eric Pendell (D) PL Shere Alam (D) NR District 31 District 15 District 31 Scott Largent (R) NR/PL* Kevin Corlew (R) PL Chris Lievsay (R) PL (R) PL (D) NR (R) PL* Dave Morris (R) NR Shon Adamson (D) AL Syed Asif (D) NR Charles A. (Charlie) Burton (D) NR Carol Suter (D) AL i Dale Walkup (D) PL District 32 District 48 District 63 Jeanie Lauer (R) PL* (R) PL (R) PL Sherbaz Khan (D) NR Ron Monnig (D) AL i Chris Gard (R) PL District 33 District 49 Bill Stinson (D) PL (R) M (R) PL District 64 Ron Harvey (D) PL Pamela (Pam) Murray (D) NR Robert Cornejo (R) PL Rick Stokes (R) NR District 34 District 50 Jeff Grisamore (R) NR/PL (R) NR/PL* Wayne J. Henke (D) PL District 35 District 51 District 65 Anne Zerr (R) NR/PL* Gary Cross (R) NR/PL* Dean A. Dohrman (R) PL Gary L. Grigsby (D) AL District 36 District 66 Raymond F. Kinney (D) NR Tommie Pierson (D) AL i* Kevin McManus (D) AL* Terry L. Wilson, Sr. (D) NR District 37 District 52 Stanley Cox (R) PL Nola Wood (R) PL District 67 Phyllis Sue Domann (D) NR Steve Webb (D) AL (D) NR Tony Weaver (D) NR Mike Sager (D) AL District 53 Christopher J. (Chris) Moreno (D) M (R) PL District 68 Holmes Osborne (D) NR District 38 Rekha Sharma (R) PL T. J. Berry (R) PL* District 54 Keith English (D) PL Bert Atkins (D) AL i* Kevin Morgan (D) AL (R) PL* Todd Hoffman (D) PL Nancy Maxwell (D) AL District 39 District 69 Joe Don McGaugh (R) PL District 55 Glen Lindemann (R) PL Will Talbert (D) PL (R) NR/PL i Jim White (D) NR Margo McNeil (D) AL * District 40 Jim Hansen (R) PL District 56 District 70 Paul Quinn (D) PL Chris Molendorp (R) NR/PL* Eugene Dokes (R) PL Patty Johnson (D) ALi Tyler Holyfield (R) NR District 41 Bill Otto (D) NR Beverly A. Steiniger (R) PL District 57 Ed Schieffer (D) PL Wanda Brown (R) NR/PL* District 71 i Don Bullock (D) PL Susan Meredith (D) AL District 42 Tracy McCreery (D) AL i Bart Korman (R) PL District 58 James E. Bryant (R) PL District 72 District 43 Patrick J. Brennen (R) PL Jay D. Houghton (R) PL* (R) PL Steve Henderson (R) NR Eileen Grant McGeoghegan (D) AL i* Ed Lockwood (D) AL i Mary Nichols (D) AL i* District 44 District 59 Paul Berry (D) NR Mike Bernskoetter (R) PL (R) PL Vonnieta E. Trickey (D) NR District 73 Mike Becker (R) NR Courtney Curtis (D) NR Chris Dwyer (R) PL District 60 Doug Clemens (D) AL i Dennis Smith (R) NR Jason (Jay) Barnes (R) NR/PL* Ken Jacob (D) ALi Thomas F. Minihan (D) NR District 74 Sharon L. Pace (D) AL i District 45 District 61 C. M. Spreng (D) AL i* Chris Kelly (D) AL i* (R) PL Michael Sage (D) NR District 75 District 46 Sylvester Taylor II (D) AL i* Fred Berry (R) PL District 62 Rochelle Walton Gray (D) AL i (D) AL i* Chris Brundick (R) PL District 76 District 47 Stephen Wieberg (R) PL Chris Mertz (R) NR Chris Carter (D) AL i* Mitch Richards (R) PL Matthew Combs (R) NR Nancy Copenhaver (D) AL i District 77 John A. Wright (D) NR Tom Hurst (R) PL Chris Elliott (D) AL Bruce Sassmann (R) NR McFarlane E. Duncan (D) NR Eldon L. Kelley (R) PL Kimberly M. Gardner (D) NR Joe Clay Crum (D) NR Greg Stratman (D) PL District 78 District 96 District 114 Penny V. Hubbard (D) AL i* (R) NR/PL* (R) PL Ruth Ehresman (D) AL i District 97 T. J. McKenna (D) NR Samuel J. Cummings III (D) NR John McCaherty (R) PL* District 115 District 79 Sam Komo (D) AL i Elaine Freeman Gannon (R) PL Martin Casas (D) NR District 98 Joe Detter (D) PL Michael Butler (D) AL Dwight Scharnhorst (R) NR/PL* Rich McCane (D) PL Dan Darian (D) PL District 80 District 99 Mike Colona (D) AL i* District 116 Andrew Koenig (R) PL John Robinson (R) PL Rio Vitale (D) PL William H. (Bill) Pinkston (D) NR Kevin Engler (R) NR/M* District 81 District 100 District 117 Jacob W. Hummel (D) M Sue Allen (R) PL* Linda Black (D) PL District 82 District 101 District 118 Edward Harlow (R) PL Don Gosen (R) PL* Michele Kratky (D) M* Ben Harris (D) PL District 102 District 119 District 83 Kurt Bahr (R) PL i Dave Hinson (R) PL* Gina Mitten (D) AL John Callahan (D) M James Trout (D) AL District 120 District 103 Jason T. Smith (R) PL District 84 Douglas Funderburk (R) NR/M* Hope Whitehead (D) AL i District 121 (D) AL i* District 104 James R. Skaggs (R) PL Mike Owens (D) NR Kathie Conway (R) PL Keith Frederick (R) PL* Terry Lesinski (D) PL District 85 District 122 Clem Smith (D) AL i District 105 Cliff Hammock (R) NR Mark A. Parkinson (R) PL* Twyla N. Cordry (R) NR District 86 (R) NR Rory Ellinger (D) AL i* Steve Lynch (R) PL Debbie Bixler (D) NR Tony Miller (R) NR District 87 District 106 District 123 Susan Carlson (D) AL i* Kyle Albert (R) PL Diane Franklin (R) PL Stacey Newman (D) AL i* (R) PL Todd Isaac (Ike) Skelton (R) NR District 88 Tom Fann (D) NR District 124 (D) AL i* District 107 Carolyn F. Loraine (R) PL District 89 (R) PL (R) M John J. Diehl Jr. (R) NR/PL* A. C. Dienoff (R) PL Johnnie Franzeskos (R) NR Rod Hoffman (D) NR District 90 District 125 (R) PL* District 108 Robert Sawyer (R) PL (D) AL i Chuck Gatschenberger (R) NR/PL* Warren D. Love (R) NR Josh Jones (R) PL District 91 District 109 Elizabeth Deal (R) PL Paul Curtman (R) PL District 126 Jeanne Kirkton (D) AL i* Ann Schroeder (D) NR Randy Pike (R) NR Barbara York (R) PL District 92 District 110 Bill Yarberry (R) NR Al Faulstich (R) PL Timothy W. Jones (R) PL* i District 127 Genise D. Montecillo (D) AL * District 111 Mike Kelley (R) PL District 93 Derrick R. Good (R) PL Tony Leech (R) PL Ian McFarland (R) NR District 128 Bob Burns (D) AL i Michael Frame (D) AL Sue Entlicher (R) PL Joe Montecillo (D) NR District 112 District 129 District 94 (R) PL (R) PL Cloria Brown (R) PL Avery A. Fortenberry (R) M Randy Angst (R) PL Tim Hotop (R) NR Dean Asbury (D) NR John L. Wilson (D) NR i Daniel E. James (D) NR Vicki Lorenz Englund (R) AL District 130 District 95 District 113 Jeff Messenger (R) PL Marsha Haefner (R) NR/PL* Dan E. Smith (R) PL Thomas Long (R) PL* Joe Zelle (D) NR Jeff Roorda (D) AL Loren Hunt (R) PL District 131 Sonya Murray Anderson (R) PL Arthur Hodge Sr. (R) NR Larry Roark (R) PL Tom Martz (R) PL Do your District 132 Melissa Leach (R) PL part to Charlie Norr (D) AL i District 133 save her Eric W. Burlison (R) PL Nicholas Ivan Ladendorf D) M Richard Buchli (D) NR generation . . . District 134 John Sellars (R) NR Elijah Haahr (R) PL Send a donation to James M. Owen (D) NR District 135 Missouri Right to Life Lincoln Hough (R) NR/PL* Casey Clark (D) NR Today

District 136 Reserved. All Rights © 2011 Speed of Life Photography. Copyright Kevin Austin (R) PL Ken Boyce (R) NR District 146 District 154 Van C. Hitt (R) PL Shawn Rhoads (R) NR District 137 Donna Lichtenegger (R) PL* Lyndall Fraker (R) NR/PL* Kathleen Hensley (R) PL Gerald Adams (R) PL Stan Watson (R) PL District 138 R. A. Pendergrass (D) NR Don Phillips (R) PL District 147 Kathy Swan (R) PL District 155 District 139 Lyle Rowland (R) PL* Kevin Elmer (R) PL* District 148 Mike Lind (R) PL Clayton Jones (R) NR (R) PL Bob Rubino (D) NR Josh Bill (R) PL District 156 Mike Marsh (D) NR Jeff Jestus (R) NR District 140 Bart Ziegenhorn (D) NR Gail Hinshaw (R) PL Lynn Morris (R) PL Matthew P. Block (R) PL District 149 District 157 Don Ruzicka (R) NR/PL* Bill Preston (R) NR Neal E. Boyd (R) PL District 141 Steve Hodges (D) PL District 158 Scott Fitzpatrick (R) PL Tony Dugger (R) PL District 150 Mike Bennett (R) PL Kent Hampton (R) PL District 142 Frank Washburn (R) PL Don Bordwell (R) PL Tom Todd (D) NR/M Chris Purvis (R) NR District 159 District 151 Bill Lant (R) NR/PL* Robert Ross (R) NR Bob Thrower (R) PL Freddie Jennings (R) NR Ted Sheppard (R) NR Dennis Fowler (R) PL District 143 Gary L. Gaines (D) NR District 160 Bill Reiboldt (R) NR/PL* Jeffrey Pogue (R) PL Ryan Wm. Holder (D) NR Shane Van Steenis (D) PL District 152 District 161 William (Bill) White (R) NR/PL* District 144 Todd Richardson (R) NR/PL* Paul Fitzwater (R) PL District 162 District 153 Michael L. Jackson (D) NR Charlie Davis (R) PL Steve Cookson (R) PL District 145 District 163 Shelley (White) Keeney (R) NR/PL* Cory Hyland (R) NR Tom Flanigan (R) NR/PL* P. O. Box 651 Jefferson City MO 65102

Elections have consequences!

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Inside -- Candidate ratings and endorsements for the August 7 primary election

lifematters

Excerpts from Baptists for Life Inc., bfl.org One could make the case that all issues affect the sanctity of human life, but none Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus . . . and is more foundational than the right to life whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. ~ Colossians 3:17, 23 itself. If there is no justice for the most vul- nerable human beings, there can be justice hen Paul wrote these words, he may not have had voting in mind. As a Roman citizen, for none. Candidates ought not pit “inter- Whe had more privileges than some – to own property, make contracts, marry, and mi- est groups” against the unborn. grate – but the right to vote could be exercised only when in Rome. And it’s doubtful he was able Some say, “If you’re really pro-life you’ll to participate in civic life while under house arrest or in prison. join the [fill-in-the-blank] cause!” But In a sense, his situation was similar to that of many Christians today living under repressive these are often the same people who refuse regimes. Although most modern nations hold elections and have universal suffrage, many deny to also speak for the unborn. Why should their citizens the ability to vote their consciences. the tiniest of little ones be forced to wait at Those of us, however, who do enjoy free and fair elections mustn’t take voting for granted. It’s the end of the line behind those with more our right and responsibility. For Americans, the “whatsoever” of Colossians definitely extends to money or a louder megaphone? Too many participation in government – voting and beyond. are being killed every day! We all might take a lesson from God’s instructions to the exiles in Jeremiah 29:5-7 – to build Countless times in Scripture God de- homes, settle in, plant gardens, marry, raise families . . . and seek the peace of the city wherever cries the perversion of justice and shed- we live. ding of innocent blood. He hates violence. But for whom should we vote? What are the values we can bring to the voting booth that Isaiah 59:7-8 describes people who run accord with Jesus’ name? How can we be sure our votes serve Him and not men? toward evil and hasten to commit murder The best leaders submit to God’s sovereignty and acknowledge their need of His help. They and yet foolishly expect to find peace. The know they’re accountable to Him and persevere in obedience (see the examples of Israel and way of bloodshed does not yield peace or Judah’s kings). But even the most secular leaders can exhibit qualities that are commended by prosperity. God in Scripture, ... In Acts 3:14-15, Peter called our Savior Such leaders would assuredly serve the best interests of everyone in the communities, the the “Prince of life.” In their jealousy and states, the countries where we live. rage, the rulers chose to release a murderer and kill the “Author of life” instead! In ser- Vote pro-life! vice to our Prince, when we go to the voting What about a candidate’s stance on abortion? How important is it, compared to issues such booth, may we all love what God loves and as the economy or the environment? choose life.