I think you will take heart from what your fellows on this list are doing. In response to the latest
request for action following the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the health care law, I suggested
some projects for keeping this issue on the minds of your federal representatives. And oh my
goodness, you are responding. Lots of talking with even hotly-opposed federal representatives. Lots
of letters to the editor and lots of grass roots action. We can really say we are keeping this alive….I am
including “samples” of actions taken, in some cases, so you can copy them if you like. (Please excuse
me if I’ve left anything off the list…this is not a large “operation”!)
Alabama – Letters to Representatives and Senators
Connecticut - Conversation with Congresswoman DeLauro (not pleasant, I take it! But very useful) and
with Senator Blumenthal, and candidate Elizabeth Etsy. Editorials or letters published in the Norwich
Bulletin, and the Hartford Courant.
California – letter published in the Oakland Press, and letters to Senators Boxer and Feinstein, and
Congressman McClintock
Colorado - Voter Registration Drives here, and spread to other interested states.
Delaware – Billboards sponsored by Delaware Right to Life (featured on our Facebook page)
Florida – One of our members speaking at a Stand Up Rally available on Youtube. Letter in Tampa Bay
Times directed to Senator Nelson
Illinois – Multiple letters to Senator Durbin, and a forwarded request to 40 friends to do the same.
Letters to Senator Joe Walsh
Indiana - Letter in the Indianapolis Criterion
Louisiana - Mobilizing at parish level and via Internet site (soon to be up) called
www.AmericaCodeBlue.com. From its enthusiastic founder:
We are busy here mobilizing the faithful troops!! We had invigorating Mass and Holy Hour today
and last week.....We have pages and pages of names from every parish in New Orleans ( all wanting
to be involved) and we are poised, ready to go with a website. We plan on launching right after July
4th....with a projected date in Fall for mailing. We have a simple plan to follow for those who would like
to implement in their area. We even have the form letter, all ready to go.
Massachusetts: Letters to Congressman William Keating and published letter in local newspaper
instructing readers how to contact their representatives:
From the Cape Cod area, this cheerful report!
Here is the result of the "protest" at Exit 3 on Route 6 along Cape Cod during the Fourth of July week-end.
There were two obscene gestures; otherwise the response was positive. Traffic was heavy on Friday
June 30th and even heavier on Saturday July 7th. During heavy traffic periods, when cars were forced
to travel at speeds of 15-20 mph there were many honks and thumbs up. These cars had plates from
MA, NH, VT, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, VA, and MD. This is an area popular in the Northeast. The response to
our signs was overwhelmingly positive, and we plan to continue on random Saturday afternoons in the
summer…
Maryland – a published letter to the editor directed to Elijah Cummings, and this letter sent to Senator
Barbara Mikulski:
I am saddened that on this forthcoming Independence Day we are not free to celebrate the most
important freedom, religious freedom, a freedom that has uniquely separated this country from others
for over two centuries. As a fifty five year old Cuban American woman that proudly became an American
citizen at age twelve, I am in utter disbelief that our government has temporarily succeeded in tying our
hands via the Health Care Act, as we reach out, as Jesus did, to all people of faith and non-faith to uphold
the dignity of life. Catholic means “Universal”. We are not confined to a building as we spread the "Good
News" of our faith, hope, and charity. Vaya con Dios.
Missouri – Letters to Senators Claire McCaskill and Representative Russ Carnahan
New Jersey – a published letter to the editor in a Mahwah paper
New York – a rally at Congressman Tim Bishop's office with this report: “ I only brought 2 Petitions with me,
but after they were filled gave your website to anyone who would listen and believe me they all did!”
- speaking to reporters at rallies, etc. (don’t be afraid, just tell the truth, briefly, and stick to one
or two points at the most!)
Oregon – A meeting with the local office of Senator Ron Wyden
Virginia - a published letter to the editor in a Great Falls:
Recent criticisms of Barbara Comstock's position on so-called "women's issues," and the concomitant
accusations of a Republican "war on women" have left me frustrated. Our Constitution does not, and
should not, guarantee access to free abortion and contraception. While some may believe that these
represent important women's health issues, others put a much higher priority on treating actual illnesses
that afflict many women, such as cancer and heart disease. A great deal of research suggests that
both abortion and contraception may increase a woman's likelihood of suffering from these prevalent
life-threatening health problems. Whatever your position, it is extraordinarily unfair and deceptive to
characterize those who prioritize health care issues differently as conducting a "war on women" or even
as being insensitive to women's health issues. As a woman myself, I rather prefer to see any government
funds or any mandated funds from employers go to help those who need to fight life threatening illness.
Moreover, I cherish the freedoms granted to me by our Constitution and Bill of Rights, which will diminish
if the HHS mandate stands.
Believe it or not, there are many women who feel that no employer should be forced to provide abortion,
abortifacient drugs, or artificial contraception. Many women note that there is no evidence that any of
these things have improved women's health. On the other hand, much proof exists that they have led to
far more problems than they were supposed to solve.
Wisconsin – a letter to the editor printed in the Sounder ( Random Lake)
Others are:
- blogging about it (see, e.g. www.catholiclane.com)
- sending letters to the editor but are not yet published (keep trying- keep them short, with a few
powerful points, and send regularly from your and your friends…eventually they sense a demand I
find…)
- posting on their facebook pages (an example):
Did you know that the Obama administration is trying to force all religious colleges and institutions
to cover sterilization and abortion inducing drugs in their healthcare plans? The University of Notre
Dame, who presented Obama with a honorary degree just 3 years ago, is now filing a law suit along with
several other prominent organizations.
This new mandate imposes serious and unnecessary burdens on many religious institutions’
commitments, witness and missions. The Obama administration is claiming the unique right to define
for religious organizations what constitutes their ministry. In the past, the federal government offered a
broad religious exemption that included all schools, agencies and hospitals. This new definition excludes
all of them!
In a society that respects and values diversity, we should support and protect religious freedom. Please
share and “like” to help get the word out on this unjust mandate!
- speaking at their local religious freedom rallies or (entertaingly subversive) showing up at opponents’
rallies with cheerful balloons!
- organizing kids’ schools to send letters to Congress or the White House
- leading local discussions:
I wanted to let you know that I led a discussion on the HHS Mandate issue for a gathering of 10 people
– Christian, Non-Christian, Believers and Non-Believers – in a private home Next week I will be leading
a discussion on it in my parish. My pastor has invited every parish around us as well as given the event
info to the Archdiocesan PR person who have posted it on the Archdiocesan website and the channels of
communication the Archdiocese uses.
- or forwarding to other lists they have.