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Again, I want to apologize if I came across as negative to you personally--that was not my intent. I just have a visceral response to anybody who tries to shame me or terrorize me for wanting to protect our children...
If it was my area, I'd write a letter to the editor that talks about the wonderful response to the Dem mailing, and how wonderful it is to see so many people who care about what direction our country takes.
THEN, I'd talk about the one response from someone (you can either use her name or state that you are NOT using her name simply because YOU don't practice the tactics of intimidation) that was so inappropriate you have to respond to it.
I'd then talk about the fact that abortion is not a choice ANY woman makes lightly. I'd also talk about the lack of affordable, effective birth control, and the lack of decent fertility education. I'd talk about the fact that NONE of our daughters should ever have to face the horror of a back alley butcher or the danger of an illegal abortion.
I'd talk about the fact that true gender equality will never happen as long as women face forced childbearing when pregnancy was not a choice they made.
I'd talk about the fact that I am a Dem, in part, because I hold certain things as ideals: Equality, Safety and personal autonomy.
I'd talk about the fact that the Dems want to reduce the number of abortions NOT by restricting access, but by making every pregnancy a wanted one--a chosen one.
I have found that I will not change some people's minds, but I AM able to articulate why choice is something fundamental to my political beliefs. It will resonate with people if you are sincere and you avoid the buzz phrases like Abortion on Demand...
I have no idea what the climate actually IS for your party there in Ogle. I suppose it is possible that it might create an issue within your Dem party depending on your local leadership, so it might be a good idea to talk to the other Dems in leadership and see if they are OK with this. (I know it wouldn't here in Champaign County--but we are pretty far left as far as Downstate Dems go. We Do have some anti-choice Dems--but even THEY understand that working to reduce the need for abortion is just common sense.)
Best of luck to you.
Laura
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