Monday, February 6, 2012

Susan G. Komen Charity Starts to Enter the 21st Century


Western civilization has gradually progressed away from barbaric practices. By the 20th century, most developed nations stopped torturing people and executing them in cruel ways. In the US, only humane ways of execution are permitted for executing the most notorious criminals.

Similarly, support for abortion decreased in recent years as awareness spread of how horrific the procedure is. A nationwide ban on partial-birth abortion finally made it into law in 2003, and was upheld by the Supreme Court. The younger generations have become more pro-life than older generations; 23-year old Lila Rose is one of the biggest names today in the pro-life movement. In 1990, 65% of Americans supported legalized abortion. In 2009, a Gallup poll found for the first time that more Americans call themselves “pro-life” on abortion than not. 51% now consider themselves pro-life compared to 42% who consider themselves pro-choice. In 2011, 62% or all of Americans surveyed told Gallup they wanted all or most abortions made illegal.
This past week, the well-known Susan J. Komen breast cancer charity started to back away from its ties to abortion. Komen contributes about $680,000 per year to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the US. Komen has been under pressure for years by pro-lifers to disassociate itself from Planned Parenthood. On January 31, 2012, Komen announced it would cut funding to Planned Parenthood. At first it appeared that the decision to stop funding came as a result of a new policy not to fund organizations under investigation. Planned Parenthood is under investigation for several reasons, including providing abortions to minors. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) is investigating Planned Parenthood for using taxpayer funding for abortions, a violation of the Hyde Amendment. Planned Parenthood receives over $300 million per year in taxpayer funding, one-third of its budget.
26 members of Congress, mostly feminists, responded with an angry letter to Komen demanding that it reconsider. Abortion supporters also put pressure on Komen. Komen issued a clarification backing off somewhat from its decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood. The organization stated that it would only stop giving to groups under criminal investigation, and that the reason for dropping Planned Parenthood was because it does not provide mammograms. Planned Parenthood only provides breast exams, and sends women who come in for mammogram screening elsewhere. Komen said it would continue giving existing grants to Planned Parenthood, but made no promises to provide future grants.       
          
This is not about “women and their healthcare” as abortion supporters are trying to spin in the media. There are already plenty of clinics around the country where low-income women can receive free or very discounted breast exams and mammograms. Planned Parenthood’s primary mission is to provide abortions; women’s healthcare is a smokescreen it uses to disguise the distastefulness of abortion. Planned Parenthood provides about one-quarter of all abortions performed in the US. It has been increasing the number of abortions it performs each year, even though abortions overall are declining. Planned Parenthood receives one-third to 40% of its income from performing abortions. Even if Planned Parenthood directs federal funding and charitable contributions from Komen to services other than abortions, that frees up more of its funds for abortions.

No comments: