Get facts straight on abortion funding
This letter is in response to multiple entries in Fence Post that have caught my attention. There continues to be hyperbole rooted in ignorance. I think it is dangerous to make blanket, ill-informed statements. It is frustrating to read comments condemning the president of the United States when they are not factually sound. Using talking points and cherry picking pieces of information for the purpose of projecting an ideological agenda is irresponsible.
Many of the issues facing us today are extremely complicated and require some research if I am going to comment publicly and vote accordingly. This is just one example of many. I would like to respond to Larry O’Neill (Fence Post, Oct. 25). Mr. O’Neill makes the argument that President Obama will break a promise made in 2009 that “no federal dollars will be used to fund abortion, and federal conscience laws will remain in place.” That promise will not be broken if the Protect Life Act is vetoed by the president. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act keeps federal dollars separate from private insurance payments that cover abortions. This was accomplished through executive order No. 13535 which upheld the Hyde amendment instituted in 1976.
On Aug. 1, a federal judge ruled against the Susan B. Anthony List, which was claiming that “Obamacare” subsidizes abortions. The opinion of that judge states, “The express language of the PPACA does not provide for taxpayer-funded abortion. This is a fact, it is clear on its face.”
The veto would be in response to other, more restrictive measures in the bill. The bill, and the abortion issue itself, are very complicated. Therefore, it is destructive to our political system, to form opinions while stretching the truth.
Michael Clayton
Hoffman Estates