President’s Page: Toward a Culture of Life

The cover article of this issue (in case you haven’t already read it) describes how George W. Bush could begin to unravel the shroud Clinton cast over life during his two terms in office. We propose there that Bush issue Executive Orders reinstating and broadening President Reagan’s Family Impact Policy and repudiating NSSM 200.

As of this writing, we are hopeful that President Bush will embrace this modest agenda. Even if he does, however, it will only be a starting point. It is now 28 years since the Supreme Court legalized abortion on demand in the US, and over 30 years since controlling population growth in the lands of our less fortunate neighbors became US foreign policy. The decades-long erosion of respect for human life cannot be stopped by a flood of Executive Orders. It can only be recaptured when America comes to a renewed appreciation of the sacredness of human life.

To hasten the arrival of that day, there is much more that President Bush — and all of us — can and should do to build a culture of life both at home and abroad. At home we must work to end the direct assaults on human life that go under the names of abortion and euthanasia. We must strengthen pregnancy-resource centers, eliminate public subsidies for abortion, and promote adoption as a life-giving alternative. We must assist families through tax relief in caring for elderly loved ones, and ensure that the elderly are never abandoned.

This same emphasis on life and family should be incorporated into America’s foreign policy. We must end the assault on human life that goes under the name of “population stabilization,” or “family planning.” Contraceptive imperialism — which forces pills into the mouths of women whose stomachs are empty — does not advance American interests and is objectively immoral. Population control, which weakens the family and attenuates the bond between husband and wife, must be abandoned. Each couple should determine their own family size without pressure from US-funded agencies.

President Reagan’s many foreign policy successes came from his determination to support and encourage democracy and the rule of law around the world. Relations with other countries were not governed solely by profit, but by a desire to spread democracy and the institutions that make democracy possible.

One of these institutions is the family. Strong families are the cornerstones of democracy. If our goal is to encourage the flowering of democracy, then we must adopt policies that promote and foster strong families. Without strong families, democratic government has no foundation. Without strong families, democratic government cannot long endure.

This has been a milestone year for PRI in many ways. Through your sacrificial financial support, PRI is now regularly presented on Mother Angelica’s EWTN network. In the “Putting People First” miniseries, guests from around the world join me to discuss the global population control movement, environmental issues and the blessings of children. Thanks to you, millions of people can listen to and watch our educational series where we expose the Culture of Death and promote the Culture of Life.

Many new initiatives are planned for 2001. PRI plans to investigate new Tiahrt violations, educate the Black Caucus, produce educational research material on various topics, and (to top it all) co-host an international conference in honor of Fr. Marx, our founder. (More info about this coming to you soon!)

So, my friends, our work has had many successes this past year. We can, by working together, achieve many more victories on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. I thank you for your continued support for PRI in the days and months ahead.

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