An Appeal to Joe Donnelly
[This open letter to Senator-elect Joe Donnelly originally appeared in part in the Kokomo Perspective on December 9, 2012 and in full in the Kokomo Herald on December 10, 2012.]
Dear Editor,
Hobby Lobby is facing large fines by the Federal Government beginning in January because they refuse to provide coverage for abortifacients to its 13,500 employees. We appeal to Senator-elect Joe Donnelly to make good on his commitment as a pro-life Democrat. We hope that Senator elect Joe Donnelly was unaware of the consequences of his support for the law he voted for called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and that he will now push for protection for the consciences of fellow Hoosiers. We know it may be difficult to stand alone if necessary, but we pray that Mr. Donnelly will be emboldened to do so.
The current smokescreen – that Federal tax dollars will not pay for abortion drugs – is just that, a smokescreen. The government requiring businesses to pay for abortion drugs is certainly no better. Such political ploys may divert criticism, but they suggest a deceptive and dishonest manner of governing. We urge Mr. Donnelly to use the weight of his influence to protect those humans conceived but not yet born. Our religious convictions AND our scientific understanding of the human body are why we do not consider these drugs to be conducive to healthy living.
One of our former Presidents wrote, “To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical” and “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”
Hopeful and sincere,
David, Ann and Hannah Ihms
Pastor Steve and Evelyn Sherwood
Pastor Jeff, Tammy and Jayme Hierholzer
Rob and Robin Brookshire
Leelia Cornell
Ed and Nilda Penaflor
Pastor Bill Martin
Troy and Brenda Pullen
Cindy Benedum
Jacob and Betty Deurloo
Clovis Smith
Michael G. Kranner
Joe and Andrea Russeau
Mickey Jackson
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Heck
Faith Rose-Scales
Don and Linda Burris
Jeff Schwartz
Gail Ambrose
Geri and Jesse Brewster
Pastor Ed and Marylu Vasicek
Terry and Sharon Watson
Mark Lantz
Karen and Loren Hylton
Barney and Mariann Shayne
Larry and Felicia King
“These abortion-causing drugs go against our faith, and our family is now being forced to choose between following the laws of the land that we love or maintaining the religious beliefs that have made our business successful,” David Green, Hobby Lobby’s founder and CEO, said in September. “…We simply cannot abandon our religious beliefs to comply with this mandate.”
http://www.obamacarewatch.org/primer/employer-mandate