Letter to the Editor in the Cols. Dispatch

Wow! Finally, someone who can explain my version of "Pro-Life" - which I have never been able to put into words myself.....or never so eloquently. Thank you Mr. Lorz

Pro-life means more than anti-abortion
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 2:57 AM
Some people think it's impossible to be a Christian and vote for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Quite the contrary. I'm a lifelong Catholic, a 1961 graduate of St. Charles Preparatory School and pro-life. Here's why I voted for Obama. I don't define the term pro-life so narrowly that it automatically becomes a wedge issue.
To me, pro-life means avoiding war unless it is unavoidable, providing a dignified life for disabled veterans and sufficient benefits for soldiers coming home from war. Pro-life means providing comprehensive health care for children born into poverty, and all citizens, so we all may avoid disease and lead healthy lives. It means protecting Social Security and Medicare for senior citizens so they don't have to choose between heat or food or medicine.
Pro-life is providing a strong economy and good jobs so families can live above poverty with self-respect. It means investing in America's children and America's future by ensuring that all children receive a quality education so they can live their own American Dream.
And, pro-life means saving the health of our planet. Above all, pro-life means providing prenatal care and maternity leave, and drastically reducing the number of abortions in America through education and adoption counseling.
And it means balancing these basic needs against others' wants, so our national economy returns to health.
These are Obama's Christian values. They represent a culture of life, not just birth.
F. MICHAEL LORZ
Columbus