Well, I finally got a letter from the White House. It is clearly a form letter; it doesn’t address the issues brought up in the Open Letter to President Obama. Of course, I didn’t expect much response — yet (we need to do more, to be proactive, but this will require others encouraging action and not just rely upon one person to do so)– but I was hoping there would be some recognition that within our letter, we have made room for dialogue, the dialogue which the President has said he wanted, and therefore, encourage some ways to go about that dialogue. But there is nothing. I still think there is room for it.
But I also think President Obama needs to do more here; he just talks about it right now, saying he knows its it is heart-wrenching, and he is glad to hear from people to know their thoughts on it; but he needs to do more than listen, he needs to do something.
As a way to start, he could bring together a group of people, leaders from all sides on the abortion issue (and respected by the people they represent), so they could actually discuss and debate (in charity) the issue, and find out how they can do as the President has suggested: find ways to reduce abortion in our society in which all sides (or most sides) can agree. They should even make a proposal together and give it to the President. Until that happens, all we have is words– good words which can inspire people to act (not everything has to be done in and through the government), but words which have yet to be put into effect by the President himself. It’s one thing to acknowledge that abortion is a grave issue; it is another to ask why is it so grave, and that, I think, is the next thing which needs to be asked of the President. Once he figures that out, and has a response, maybe we will see what kind of dialogue he is open to having. But until then, those of us who are pro-life need to follow the humble, charitable example the Pope has given to us. We can be firm in our beliefs, without demonizing the opposition (for all that does is make them defensive and react against our desires).
The letter reads as follows:
Dear Friend,
Thank you for taking the time to share your views on abortion. This is a heart-wrenching issue, and I appreciate your input and thoughts.
I am committed to making my Administration the most open and transparent in history, and part of delievering on that promises is hearing from people like you. I take seriously your opinions and respect your point of view on the issue. Please know that your concerns will be on my mind in the days ahead.
Thank you again for writiing. I encourage you to visit Whitehouse.gov to learn more about my Administration or to contact me in the future.
Sincerely
Barack Obama
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