Election Day was a mixed bag for conservative social issues. There were essentially three main battles in the culture war fought in the polls yesterday in California, Maine, and Texas.
In California, Proposition 73 would have required parental notification before an underage girl could receive an abortion, but it went down to defeat. This was a loss for the most vulnerable in society at the hands of those who seen themselves as the elite and their caretakers.
Tonight, parents and families all over the country lost out to the powerful interests of Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry, which for too long has led children into abortions without the counsel and loving care of their parents,” May said in his statement. ... Pre-election surveys showed strong support for Prop 73 from among blacks and Hispanics and people with the lowest educational levels, groups where lower incomes are more prevalent. This shows how the poor, often living in predatory environments, are struggling to try to maintain control over their families and protect their children.
We profiled this proposition in the October issue of Catholic World Report, and it included some very sad stories of girls who were exploited by boyfriends and abortionists, who if they had turned to their parents would have found support and love and not the condemnation they feared.
Dear Dom,
It struck me that the TX one is similar to the OH one, which also passed resoundingly. In OH, it also affects cohabitations.
It bums me here in VA, that after 4 years of Mark Warner, who’s vetoed a laundry-list of pro-life legislation, we’re getting a Kennedy Catholic who’s been endorsed by Michael Schiavo(!).
But Kilgore lost the election for himself, and when politicians make the kind of stupid moves Kilgore did, I don’t mourn their losing elections.
Also, FWIW, this is the third time this ballot measure has come up in Maine. Under our old leadership, this legislation had the full backing of the Diocese of Portland. This time around, under Bishop Malone, it’s stance was neutral. Malone said from the State House earlier this year that the diocese would like to support the actual law, but wouldn’t actually endorse it as it may pave the way for “Gay Marriage”.
We’re not going to win the culture war if our leaders are on the other side, or just as bad, apathetic.
It does not suprise me to hear Bishop Malone’ comment. Remember! He went to Maine after serving the Archdiocese of Boston.
Malone even got upset when lay Catholics in the area handed out “Yes on 1” fliers, which quoted his “may pave the way to Gay marriage” statement:
http://www.wmtw.com/news/5222156/detail.html
As I understand it, in Texas a similar law was already on the books. This just tightens it up.
The statistics for the “For” votes were like this:
Percentage- Number of Counties
90-100% – 117
80-89% – 108
70-79% – 24
50-69% – 6
40% – Austin/Travis County