The Difference You Can Make

The Associated Press reported an interesting fact today. Apparently, just before the current recession reared it's ugly head, the national birth rate went down. There has been a steep decline in the number of children under one year of age. Apparently, people do pay attention to their economic situation when planning a family. Of course, that translates into fewer children being placed for adoption, since fewer are born. Other disturbing reports indicate that the national abortion rate has increased dramatically. In his commencement speech to Notre Dame graduates, President Obama stated that "We need to make adoption more available". Please exercise your American right and write to Mr. Obama to tell him to put his money where his mouth is. Instead of funding more abortions, let's help fund adoptions and put some of that money into programs for single mothers, so that these children won't need to be aborted. I am reminded of the starfish story...where a little boy is walking along the shore throwing starfish back into the water before they dry up and die. A man approaches and says, "Why are you doing that? You see how many starfish there are? You can't possibly make a difference." The little boy bent down and picked up a starfish and flung it far out into the ocean. He smiled at the man and said, "Made a difference to that one!". We can all make a difference, as small and insignificant as we are -- but we have to make an effort, even a little one. Write your congress people and write Mr. Obama. What if that effort saved even a single life? The life you save may be the child who will eventually be yours.

The Economics of Abortion

The Associated Press today reported that pregnant women are seeking abortions in record numbers. There's no secret as to why this is occurring -- our economy is affecting everyone. Some women who even desired and planned a pregnancy have reconsidered due to their current financial issues. A record number of abortions were performed by Planned Parenthood of Illinois clinics in January. There is no way to get up to date statistics on abortions throughout the nation, but many private and government agencies are reporting a significant increase in the abortions requested. I learned something new by reading this article. There is actually an organization called the National Network of Abortion Funds, which helps pay for abortions for women who can't afford them. Then there is the National Abortion Federation. Why don't we have something similar for adoption? It's interesting that people will donate to take a life, but not to save one. I'm not faulting women for feeling as if they can't handle additional responsibilities, financial and otherwise. I'm simply saying that there is no excuse for the fact that life is not valued as much as "choice". Shouldn't it be supported at least as much as abortion, if not more so? There should be funds to support both adoption and single parenthood when finances are the only issue standing in the way of life or death for an unborn child. Prior to that, assistance obtaining birth control would eliminate part of the problem.

Additionally, the economy is affecting those who want to plan a family. Fear of losing jobs or not having enough money to make it through the recession is causing people not to plan to have a child that they would have chosen to have. Those who have made the choice of life for their child may not have insurance to cover maternity benefits. There is so much money being spent on the abortion industry. What if all that money went to help women complete their pregnancies and get through the tough times or place their child for adoption should they have that desire? I'm praying for all of the lives lost. Who would they have been?