By Lois Anderson, PAC Director

It’s easy to be discouraged.   Just think about it!   Nearly 50 million babies killed since 1973.   The uncounted, mostly silent, killing of our terminally ill, handicapped and elderly citizens.   The international push for human cloning and embryo-destroying research.   I feel overwhelmed and tearful, even as I type these awful words.

We want sweeping changes.   We want an end to all the killing quickly.   We are impatient!   While we have the privilege of living in the United States, with all the blessings of freedom, change here seems so difficult and slow.

But, just as we must never allow the joy of one baby saved to be diminished by the grief of those many who were lost, we must never allow the defeat of pro-life politicians or legislation to diminish our commitment to changing our laws.

This year, nationally and in Oregon, our opportunities for political victory seem limited.   There have been numerous opinion columns and newspaper articles detailing the decreasing influence of the “values voters” who helped elect and re-elect President Bush.   Exit polls in early presidential contests showed this bloc of voters split among the Republican candidates, with Catholic voters flocking back to the Democratic Party.

The outcome of November’s 2008 election are far from certain.   Even the most seasoned political pundits have admitted that this year is nearly impossible to predict.   As a result, whether or not pro-life leadership will be maintained in the White House or returned to Congress is up for grabs.

It has been wonderful to experience pro-life leadership in both the White House and Congress.   However, our progress, even though remarkable, has been muted by political realities.

However, even in times of perceived political weakness, the power of the pro-life message has gotten through.   Remember the ugly confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas?   In 1991, the Democrats had a 14-vote advantage and the leader of the Senate, Senator George Mitchell, was the sponsor of the infamous Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) to encode Roe v. Wade into federal law.   Nevertheless, Justice Thomas was confirmed and FOCA was defeated.

Partial-birth abortion ban legislation was first introduced during Bill Clinton’s presidency.   Clinton vetoed the ban twice.   However, the national debate over this barbaric procedure caused a change in public thinking about abortion.

For these reasons, we must continue to work hard toward our goal, but be practical about our expectations.   Let’s not allow discouragement or shifting political winds to get the better of us.   “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

This issue of Life in Oregon includes our Primary Election Voter Guide.   I hope that you enjoy it.   We have worked very hard to make it an informative and useful tool for voting decisions.   Please share it!   We would be happy to provide extra copies!  

Oregon Right to Life PAC has developed another tool to help you communicate how important it is to vote pro-life.   Our colorful “Five Ways Card” has a simple message: Voting pro-life is a part of living pro-life.

To view this helpful card, and for information on how to order cards or additional voter guides, please visit our website at www.ortl.org.