A short while ago, I commented on a thread about the rash of violence, threats, harassment and insults Democratic legislators have endured during the last few days as a direct result of their positions and votes on health care reform. This is part of my comment on the ordeal Representative Bart Stupak has been through because of the way he voted on the legislation:
I am referring to the unspeakable abuse, threats, ridicule, accusations, etc. Representative Stupak and his family have endured since he voted in favor of Health Care Reform.
Six days ago, before the historic vote in the House, Stupak was a principled, decent, patriotic, family loving and—above all—pro-life man.
He was loved and respected by Conservatives, especially, and naturally, by pro-life people.
He then, in good conscience, was able to get the President of the United States to reaffirm in an executive order that no federal funds would be used for abortion.
Then, Sunday night, he cast a vote in Congress.
On Monday, after that historic vote, Stupak was still a principled, decent, patriotic, family loving and—above all—pro-life man.
He had not changed.
But lo and behold, suddenly he was one of the most evil, despised, hated men in America–and we all know what followed.
Now, you tell me, who changed?
Of course, Stupak has not changed. He is today the same man he was a week ago, still pro-life, and still pro-health care for all Americans.
But don’t take my word for it.
Stupak has just written a column in the Washington Post, which he concludes with the following words:
I have said from the start that my goal was to see health-care reform pass while maintaining the long-standing principle of the sanctity of life. The president’s executive order upholds this principle and current law that no federal funds be used for abortion. I and other pro-life Democrats are pleased that we were able to hold true to our principles and vote for a bill that is pro-life at every stage of life and that provides 32 million Americans with access to high-quality, affordable health care.
He starts his column as follows:
When I saw that Kathleen Parker’s March 24 op-ed, “Stupak’s original sin,” defined me as a “backstabber,” it reminded me of a Bible verse. Matthew 7:3 asks, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
Stupak then calls into question the true motives of many blogs and organizations claiming to be pro-life: “[They] have become clear in recent days: to politicize life issues as a means to defeat health care reform. One group even sent an e-mail to supporters saying they are ‘working feverishly to stop this legislation from going forward.'”
To read more of Representative Stupak’s unchanged position and principles on the sanctity of life, please click here, and then perhaps we can answer the question as to who changed, who is doing the “backstabbing.”
