As in all debates, a lot is stated in hopes of turning the voter tide towards one party or the other. Before one renders their vote, based on what is heard at these debates, it is a good idea to 'fact check' some of the statements. Here are a few 'facts' from the recent debate that don't pan out under closer scrutiny.
Falsehood: President Obama stated, "[T]here are millions of women all across the country who rely on Planned Parenthood for…mammograms."
Fact: President Obama is attempting to resurrect and advance the myth that Planned Parenthood provides mammograms, an argument that was thoroughly discredited after deceitfully proffered by Planned Parenthood’s President Cecile Richards in 2011 Not one of Planned Parenthood’s approximately 800 clinics nationwide provides mammograms; moreover, as the Department of Health and Human Services documented in June 2012, Planned Parenthood is not even authorized to perform mammograms, and — if a clinic did — it would be violating federal law. Under the federal Mammogram Quality Standards Act, administered by HHS, "[n]o facility may conduct an examination or procedure…involving mammography" without a certification from the US. Food and Drug Administration.
Falsehood: President Obama stated that, under Obamacare, "if you like your healthcare plan, you will be able to keep your healthcare plan. Period. No one will take it away, no matter what."
Fact: Obamacare eliminates life-affirming choices from the health insurance market. In 2010, President Obama and his allies in Congress passed the most expansive healthcare bill in the history of the U.S. The Obama Administration’s implementation of that "healthcare reform" law now forces many women (and men) to purchase insurance that covers abortions and life-ending drugs and devices regardless of their deeply held — and constitutionally protected — conscientious beliefs. Forcing Americans to pay for an agenda is not choice. Punishing them with onerous fines if they do not submit is not freedom. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against Obamacare’s anti-life mandates that violate federal law and American's First Amendment Freedom of Conscience. Real healthcare respects life and the foundational American principle of freedom of conscience.
Falsehood: President Obama also stated that "[h]ow women succeed in the workplace" is contingent upon forcing health insurance coverage of life-ending drugs.
Fact: President Obama’s comments, that women somehow need "contraception" (and need it to be paid for by others) in order to succeed, are not only offensive, but untrue. He is including some life-ending drugs in his definition of contraception. The true empowerment of women is not dependent on the ability to end pregnancy. As Governor Romney noted: "What we can do to help young women and women of all ages is to have a strong economy, so strong that employers that are looking to find good employees…and adapting to a flexible work schedule that gives women opportunities that they would otherwise not be able to afford."
Falsehood: The highly profitable abortion industry and its titular leader, Planned Parenthood, require taxpayer support.
Fact: Planned Parenthood receives over $1.3 million each day from the American taxpayer, a grand total of over $487 million a year — and this continues as our country is facing a $16 trillion debt. We know that 7 out of 10 Americans — self-described as "pro-life" and "pro-choice" — do not want their tax dollars being used for abortion. And yet President Obama was willing to shut down the federal government rather than see any cut in federal subsidies to the nation’s largest abortion provider.
A seemingly lost dog has taken up residence with us this week. We found the half-grown pup in our front yard and he took a real liking to my son. No tags, no collar, and no inclination to leave so we introduced him to our dog. Our dog was thrilled to have someone to tear around the yard with and didn't mind sharing her dinner bowl, either. My children named the newcoming, Griff. Griff is the one on the left.
