Right to Life of Michigan president, Barbara Listing, declared her
organization's overwhelming victories in [November 1998] state legislative races were a
telling sign about abortion politics. "With 45 of the 64 new members of
the House being pro-life, the true pro-life nature of Michigan's
electorate is being represented in Lansing. We also gained in pro-life
strength in the state Senate.
"This first election in the wake of terms limits has blown away a
longstanding myth that a so-called 'pro-choice' position is a mainstream
position. This election shows that 'pro-choice' equals 'extreme,' not
mainstream."
Listing cited the growing line of positive initiatives advanced by the
right to life movement that have helped lower the abortion rate by 40% in
Michigan since 1987, but emphasized the undaunted opposition by abortion
proponents who fight those initiatives. "To be an abortion rights
advocate today means you favor tax dollars being spent on abortion and you
oppose parents being involved in a minor daughter's abortion surgery
decision. It means you oppose giving women truthful information about
abortion and support the killing of a living child who has been forcibly
pulled from the womb up to the head and then violently killed with
scissors and suction machines," Listing said.
"It's time we strip away the facade of the pro-abortion position. They
will accept no restrictions on abortion; they want no regulation of a
multi-million dollar industry; they want to exclude parents but include
taxpayer dollars. They even defend the killing of children more born than
unborn's no surprise that pro-life candidates from both parties were
warmly embraced by Michigan voters.
"The days of viewing 'pro-choice' as credible are over. Standing in
defense of extreme positions should be labeled for what it is --
'pro-abortion.' We will continue our efforts to reduce the number of
abortions in Michigan by affirming the dignity of women while preserving
the right to life of their children."