Sojourner Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 As I noted in [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=48491"]an earlier thread,[/url] the House Catholic Democrats have released a "statement of principles." Here's the full text (which wasn't available until Tuesday, I think): [quote]Statement of Principles By Fifty-Five Catholic Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives As Catholic Democrats in Congress, we are proud to be part of the living Catholic tradition -- a tradition that promotes the common good, expresses a consistent moral framework for life and highlights the need to provide a collective safety net to those individuals in society who are most in need. As legislators, in the U.S. House of Representatives, we work every day to advance respect for life and the dignity of every human being. We believe that government has moral purpose. We are committed to making real the basic principles that are at the heart of Catholic social teaching: helping the poor and disadvantaged, protecting the most vulnerable among us, and ensuring that all Americans of every faith are given meaningful opportunities to share in the blessings of this great country. That commitment is fulfilled in different ways by legislators but includes: reducing the rising rates of poverty; increasing access to education for all; pressing for increased access to health care; and taking seriously the decision to go to war. Each of these issues challenges our obligations as Catholics to community and helping those in need. We envision a world in which every child belongs to a loving family and agree with the Catholic Church about the value of human life and the undesirability of abortion—we do not celebrate its practice. Each of us is committed to reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies and creating an environment with policies that encourage pregnancies to be carried to term. We believe this includes promoting alternatives to abortion, such as adoption, and improving access to children=s healthcare and child care, as well as policies that encourage paternal and maternal responsibility. In all these issues, we seek the Church=s guidance and assistance but believe also in the primacy of conscience. In recognizing the Church's role in providing moral leadership, we acknowledge and accept the tension that comes with being in disagreement with the Church in some areas. Yet we believe we can speak to the fundamental issues that unite us as Catholics and lend our voices to changing the political debate -- a debate that often fails to reflect and encompass the depth and complexity of these issues. As legislators, we are charged with preserving the Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom for all Americans. In doing so, we guarantee our right to live our own lives as Catholics, but also foster an America with a rich diversity of faiths. We believe the separation of church and state allows for our faith to inform our public duties. As Catholic Democrats who embrace the vocation and mission of the laity as expressed by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Exhortation, Christifideles Laici, we believe that the Church is the "people of God," called to be a moral force in the broadest sense. We believe the Church as a community is called to be in the vanguard of creating a more just America and world. And as such, we have a claim on the Church's bearing as it does on ours. Rosa L. DeLauro David R. Obey Wm. Lacy Clay Hilda L. Solis James R. Langevin Bart Stupak Anna Eshoo Bill Pascrell Betty McCollum Gene Taylor Raul M. Grijalva Carolyn McCarthy John B. Larson Ed Pastor Joe Baca William Delahunt Tim Ryan Silvestre Reyes Mike Thompson Linda T. Sanchez Charles A. Gonzalez Xavier Becerra Diane Watson Michael H. Michaud Nydia Velazquez Jim Marshall Frank Pallone John T. Salazar James P. McGovern George Miller Tim Holden James L. Oberstar Dale E. Kildee Patrick J. Kennedy Cynthia McKinney James P. Moran Michael Capuano Richard E. Neal Mike Doyle Peter A. DeFazio Maurice Hinchey Dennis A. Cardoza Joseph Crowley Jim Costa Lucille Roybal-Allard Loretta Sanchez Robert Brady Marty Meehan Grace Napolitano Luis V. Gutierrez Jose Serrano Stephen Lynch Edward J. Markey Nancy Pelosi Lane Evans [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagiDragon Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 if it weren't for that "primacy of conscience" bit, they'd actually have to start acting like they were Catholics according to that spiel too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Era Might Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Why do I get the feeling that this is part of a concerted Democratic effort to rebuild the party's image so that they don't get trounced by the religion and morality vote in '08? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagiDragon Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 [quote name='Era Might' date='Mar 9 2006, 11:25 AM']Why do I get the feeling that this is part of a concerted Democratic effort to rebuild the party's image so that they don't get trounced by the religion and morality vote in '08? [right][snapback]907281[/snapback][/right] [/quote] don't be silly, of *COURSE* it is! it's not like they'll actually clean up their act, but they can at least give it some good lip service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 Both pro-life and pro-choice Democrats signed this. In other words, there are avowedly pro-life Democrats in Congress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Era Might Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 I still think the statement is mealy-mouthed. [quote]In all these issues, we seek the Church's guidance and assistance but believe also in the primacy of conscience.[/quote] Translation: Democrats are still gonna dissent. But we'll couch it in fancy "primacy of conscience" language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socrates Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 [quote]Statement of Principles By Fifty-Five Catholic Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives As Catholic Democrats in Congress, we are proud to be part of the living Catholic tradition -- a tradition that promotes the common good, expresses a consistent moral framework for life and highlights the need to provide a collective safety net to those individuals in society who are most in need. As legislators, in the U.S. House of Representatives, we work every day to advance respect for life and the dignity of every human being. We believe that government has moral purpose. We are committed to making real the basic principles that are at the heart of Catholic social teaching: helping the poor and disadvantaged, protecting the most vulnerable among us, and ensuring that all Americans of every faith are given meaningful opportunities to share in the blessings of this great country. That commitment is fulfilled in different ways by legislators but includes: reducing the rising rates of poverty; increasing access to education for all; pressing for increased access to health care; and taking seriously the decision to go to war. Each of these issues challenges our obligations as Catholics to community and helping those in need. We envision a world in which every child belongs to a loving family and agree with the Catholic Church about the value of human life and the undesirability of abortion—we do not celebrate its practice. Each of us is committed to reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies and creating an environment with policies that encourage pregnancies to be carried to term. We believe this includes promoting alternatives to abortion, such as adoption, and improving access to children=s healthcare and child care, as well as policies that encourage paternal and maternal responsibility. In all these issues, we seek the Church=s guidance and assistance but believe also in the primacy of conscience. In recognizing the Church's role in providing moral leadership, we acknowledge and accept the tension that comes with being in disagreement with the Church in some areas. Yet we believe we can speak to the fundamental issues that unite us as Catholics and lend our voices to changing the political debate -- a debate that often fails to reflect and encompass the depth and complexity of these issues. As legislators, we are charged with preserving the Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom for all Americans. In doing so, we guarantee our right to live our own lives as Catholics, but also foster an America with a rich diversity of faiths. We believe the separation of church and state allows for our faith to inform our public duties. As Catholic Democrats who embrace the vocation and mission of the laity as expressed by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Exhortation, Christifideles Laici, we believe that the Church is the "people of God," called to be a moral force in the broadest sense. We believe the Church as a community is called to be in the vanguard of creating a more just America and world. And as such, we have a claim on the Church's bearing as it does on ours. [/quote] This is nothing but typical politician doublespeak. It looks to be like nothing other than a bunch of liberal Democrats trying to regain "religious" votes by explaining how they are "good Catholics" in spite of their public support for abortion. This is simply a variation on the old "I'm personally opposed, but . . ." line. The key line is the following: "In all these issues, we seek the Church's guidance and assistance [b]but believe also in the primacy of conscience. In recognizing the Church's role in providing moral leadership, we acknowledge and accept the tension that comes with being in disagreement with the Church in some areas[/b]." These politicians are acknowledging here that their positions in "some areas" (probably abortion and similar moral issues) are opposed to those of the Church. They justify their unfaithfulness to the Church with the BS line of "primacy of conscience" (i.e. "I'll do what I want to do, rather than what the Church says.") But, hey, it's all good because, after all, they support "helping the poor" (in the guise of the increase of the welfare state), and in throwing more money at public education, and other lobbies beloved of liberals. It seems that these politicians are saying essentially, "we support the Church's teachings so long as they do not oppose the Democratic Party platform." However, if these pols were truly interested in winning over devout Catholic voters, acting according to Catholic principles, and in "protecting the most vulnerable among us," they would take a firm stand against abortion. These Dem Congessmen are showing themselves to be politicians first and foremost, and Catholics last. This "Statement of Principles" is anything but. (And some wonder why some of us don't get all over the Democrats! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dspen2005 Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 is this deja vu... wasn't there a supposed statement of 'principles' (termed used lightly here) when Kerry was running for prez? is this a rehash of those same bogus ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socrates Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 [quote name='Sojourner' date='Mar 9 2006, 11:51 AM']Both pro-life and pro-choice Democrats signed this. In other words, there are avowedly pro-life Democrats in Congress. [right][snapback]907300[/snapback][/right] [/quote] How many of the congressmen signing this "statement" have voted pro-life? I'd like to research this. I'd be willing to bet that the majority of them are pro-abortion. And the very fact that "pro-choice" politicians signed this bill shows that this "statement of principles" is rather meaningless with regards to actual principle! (It's basically, "We'll follow Church teaching unless we don't want to.") What is the point of re-posting this statement? I don't see anything added in it that would change its essential message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted March 10, 2006 Author Share Posted March 10, 2006 [quote name='Socrates' date='Mar 9 2006, 07:55 PM']How many of the congressmen signing this "statement" have voted pro-life? I'd like to research this. I'd be willing to bet that the majority of them are pro-abortion. And the very fact that "pro-choice" politicians signed this bill shows that this "statement of principles" is rather meaningless with regards to actual principle! (It's basically, "We'll follow Church teaching unless we don't want to.") What is the point of re-posting this statement? I don't see anything added in it that would change its essential message. [right][snapback]907596[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Please do research this. I reposted because I thought it only polite, since I'd posted the partial statement in the past. Plus, it's funny to see how just the mere mention of the word "Democrat" puts your knickers in a twist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted March 10, 2006 Author Share Posted March 10, 2006 Socrates, It's possible that I read more into your intial post than you intended. I interpreted it as an attack, and responded as such. I apologize for my rudeness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1337 k4th0l1x0r Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 I guess their line of reasoning is that the best way to help out poor people is to limit the number of poor people. I also don't buy into their social agenda. There is no love in giving someone a welfare check. People who willingly and lovingly help the poor out do far more good for the poor than politicians who want to throw money at them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socrates Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 I researched each of the congressmen who signed this statement.. The information was from [url="http://www.issues2000.org"]www.issues2000.org[/url], which tells how all of the politicians voted on various issues. It is easy to look up any of these voting records there. [b]32 of the 51 "Catholic Democrat" signers of the "statement" voted 100% pro-abortion on all votes pertaining to the issue. Only six voted 100% pro-life.[/b] (A 100% rating by NARAL - National Abortion Rights Action League - means the politician is is 100% pro-abortion. A 0% rating means he has voted 100% pro-life.) Hows that for "principle"?? DeLauro scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record. DeLauro is endorsed by EMILY's list, a pro-choice PAC Clay scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record. Langevin scores 10% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record (supports allowing fetal stem-cell research) Eshoo scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Eshoo is endorsed by EMILY's list, a pro-choice PAC McCollum scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record McCollum is endorsed by EMILY's list, a pro-choice PAC Grijalva scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Larson scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Baca scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Ryan scores 10% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record (supports allowing fetal stem-cell research) Thompson scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Gonzalez scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Watson scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Watson is endorsed by EMILY's list, a pro-choice PAC Velazquez scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Velazquez is endorsed by EMILY's list, a pro-choice PAC Pallone scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record McGovern scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Holden scores 0% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record (Pro-life!) Kildee scores 0% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record (Pro-life!) McKinney is endorsed by EMILY's list, a pro-choice PAC (100% Pro-abort voting record) McKinney adopted the Women's Caucus policy agenda which supported funding contraception and UN family planning Capuano scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Doyle scores 0% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record (Pro-life!) Hinchey scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Crowley scores 30% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Roybal-Allard scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Roybal-Allard is endorsed by EMILY's list, a pro-choice PAC Roybal-Allard adopted the Women's Caucus policy agenda which supported funding contraception and UN family planning Brady scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Napolitano scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Napolitano is endorsed by EMILY's list, a pro-choice PAC Serrano scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Markey scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Evans scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Obey scores 30% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Solis scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Solis is endorsed by EMILY's list, a pro-choice PAC Stupak scores 0% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record (Pro-life!) Pascrell scores 30% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Taylor scores 0% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record (Pro-life!) McCarthy scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record McCarthy is endorsed by EMILY's list, a pro-choice PAC Pastor scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Delahunt scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Reyes scores 30% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Sanchez scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Becerra scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Michaud scores 10% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record (would allow fetal stem-cell research) Marshall scores 10% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Salazar only voted on 2 issues (voted to allow fetal stem-cell research) Miller scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Oberstar scores 0% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record (Pro-life!) Kennedy scores 30% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Moran scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Neal scores 30% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Defazio scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Cardoza scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Costa only voted on 2 issues (voted to allow fetal stem cell research) Sanchez scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Sanchez is endorsed by EMILY's list, a pro-choice PAC Meehan scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Gutierrez scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Lynch scores 10% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record Pelosi scores 100% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record adopted the Women's Caucus policy agenda which supported funding contraception and UN family planning A pro-life article on this statement here: [url="http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/mar/06030202.html"]http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/mar/06030202.html[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Just Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Bunch of so called Catholics. More like Nazis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socrates Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 For those who don't have time to research on the site, each of those congressmen with 100% "pro-choice" ratings by NARAL voted in the following fashion: Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. Voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. Voted NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. Voted NO on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. Voted NO on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. Voted NO on banning human cloning, including medical research. Voted NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad (for programs that include or support abortion). Voted NO on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortions. Voted NO on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. As you can see, these "Catholic" Democrats are oppposed to any restrictions whatever on abortion, and are in favor of federal promotion and funding of abortion with your tax dollars! (and btw, kids, the pro-life bills they voted against were proposed by [i]Republican[/i] congressmen.) Then they hypocritically try to win over the Catholic vote by signing a statement saying that they're good Catholics who don't like abortion! Don't be fooled by their nonsense! The Democrats are anything but a pro-life party! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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