Rep. Dan Lipinski, a Catholic Democrat from Illinois, has come out against the so-called Obama “compromise.”
This is good news because like it or not we needed some cover on this. Because as left leaning as some of the bishops are, they, as a group, are often slammed as right wing nutjobs. Our talking heads can point to Lipinski as proof that this isn’t just a right wing witch hunt.
Lipinski nails it with his statement:
“I am enormously disappointed by today’s announcement. All the facts indicate that the ‘new’ mandate is the same as the ‘old’ mandate. New words, same policy.
“Our understanding of the new policy is now limited to a Fact Sheet put out by the White House. This document says ‘Religious organizations will not have to provide contraceptive coverage or refer their employees to organizations that provide contraception.’ But the health care law says that all employers must provide health insurance for their employees or pay a penalty. And according to the White House these same insurance plans that employers must provide ‘will be required to provide contraception coverage to these women free of charge.’ So religious organizations have to provide health care coverage from insurance companies that are required to provide abortion drugs, sterilization, and contraception. What changed? This is the same policy.
“We need a rule that protects religious liberty by allowing employers to provide health insurance coverage that does not include abortion drugs and other services that violate their conscience and religious doctrine. Instead we got a so-called compromise that is no compromise at all and provides no options for those with profound religious and moral objections to providing these services. To say that the insurer and not the employer is required to provide the coverage is a fiction. There is no accommodation for religious liberty. The rule remains coercive and still violates the long-standing tradition of protection for conscience rights in federal law.”
Lipinski, you might remember, voted against Obamacare.
I’m glad to see this. We need all the voices we can in this country speaking out for religious liberty. And make no mistake about it, I’m sure Lipinski’s hearing it from his party right now.
Pennsylvania Democrat Senator Bob Casey laughably released a statement Friday saying he was thinking about it. I’m thinking he’s running a poll to see what is expedient for him right now.
February 13, 2012 at 6:42 am
Although Casey's statement isn't that far off from Archbishop Dolan's "step in the right direction" remarks.
Good for Lipinski though. It's unfortunate that more people don't see how deceptive Obama is being.
February 13, 2012 at 6:48 am
America is a "melting pot", which differences are tolerated. In fact, many moved here to escape being treated unfairly in which certain rights were given to some, and not others.
Remember the Health Care Tax Credit of 2010 which many churches were eligible for? It was governmental assistance paid for by all taxpayers, regardless of what religion they followed.
Thus, it is only fair we support those who support us, regardless of what religion they follow. If we cannot support others who have supported us despite their belief system, some of which undoubtedly were not Catholics, than we should immediately STOP accepting their support and do it all on our own. Until then, I saw we suck it up and stop whining.
February 13, 2012 at 12:33 pm
It is the duty of government to protect all virginty and innocence (perfect at conception). To encourage the vice of LUST, in direct opposition to the virtue of LOVE is diabolical. Virginity and innocence constitutes our nation. Dan Lipinski has a soul.
February 13, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Apparently, there IS such a thing as a pro-life Democrat after all. Even if there is only one, that's more than zero.
Elaine
February 13, 2012 at 5:36 pm
We don't need a "rule". We need a LAW, or ideally we need to repeal this Obamacare mess in its entirety.
A "rule" that is changed can later be changed back.
February 13, 2012 at 7:53 pm
God bless courageous Rep. Dan Lipinsky. Will there be other democrats to follow? If so, this may ultimately be the undoing of the progressive mesh that we are challenged with.
Remember the words of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto after Pearl Harbor: "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." People of faith are finally acting with this resolve.
February 13, 2012 at 9:37 pm
I was once a constituent of Rep. Lipinski. God bless him! If only there were more Catholic Democrats like him! In the 2008 election, he was given a higher pro-life rating than McCain.