From Peter’s Desk: On the GOP Platform Change

The pro-life movement received quite a shock Monday: sweeping changes to the pro-life language of the Republican Party platform. Those changes profoundly weakened the GOP’s public policy position regarding abortion and introduced support for in-vitro fertilization, which commonly results in the destruction of human embryos.

The revised platform offers a changed stance on other social issues, including marriage, and takes a harsh stance on immigration including the threat of mass deportations.

The Trump-ordered language modifications, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s overturning Roe v. Wade, essentially define abortion as a states’ issue. Gone too is the pledge for federal restrictions, after 40 years. One could make the case that the language was purely ambitious, included as a good will measure for the benefit of millions of pro-life voters that supported Republican candidates. It is gone regardless, and GOP officials will be hard-pressed to challenge Trump. Sayonara!

It’s also worth recalling that the former president last fall called a six-week ban in his current home state of Florida “a terrible mistake.” What’s more, Amendment 4, the “Right to Abortion Initiative,” establishing a constitutional right to abortion, is on the November ballot in Florida. Trump has expressed no opposition. For the record, I reject the initiative (along with like initiatives in Maryland, Nebraska, Colorado, and Nevada) and urge Florida voters to defeat it.

I acknowledge many pro-lifers will maintain allegiance to the Republican Party and bide their time for an opportunity to reverse its course. Still others will vote for life in November, with principle and the conviction that a third party is a worthy and viable way to introduce new direction. This latter path is the one that I will follow and encourage voters to choose as well.

It is commonly said that from small beginnings come great things. I have hope the American Solidarity Party is destined for that outcome, and with it the cause for human life and dignity!