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 republican Bill Bennett comments on abortion

The following are statements of Bill Bennett during his radio program on the right wing 'christian' Salem network:

Quote:
Addressing a caller's suggestion that the "lost revenue from the people who have been aborted in the last 30 years" would be enough to preserve Social Security's solvency, radio host and former Reagan administration Secretary of Education Bill Bennett dismissed such "far-reaching, extensive extrapolations" by declaring that if "you wanted to reduce crime ... if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down." Bennett conceded that aborting all African-American babies "would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do," then added again, "but the crime rate would go down."


Bennett's remark was apparently inspired by the claim that legalized abortion has reduced crime rates, which was posited in the book Freakonomics (William Morrow, May 2005) by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. But Levitt and Dubner argued that aborted fetuses would have been more likely to grow up poor and in single-parent or teenage-parent households and therefore more likely to commit crimes; they did not put forth Bennett's race-based argument.

From the September 28 broadcast of Salem Radio Network's Bill Bennett's Morning in America:


CALLER: I noticed the national media, you know, they talk a lot about the loss of revenue, or the inability of the government to fund Social Security, and I was curious, and I've read articles in recent months here, that the abortions that have happened since Roe v. Wade, the lost revenue from the people who have been aborted in the last 30-something years, could fund Social Security as we know it today. And the media just doesn't -- never touches this at all.

BENNETT: Assuming they're all productive citizens?

CALLER: Assuming that they are. Even if only a portion of them were, it would be an enormous amount of revenue.

BENNETT: Maybe, maybe, but we don't know what the costs would be, too. I think as -- abortion disproportionately occur among single women? No.

CALLER: I don't know the exact statistics, but quite a bit are, yeah.

BENNETT: All right, well, I mean, I just don't know. I would not argue for the pro-life position based on this, because you don't know. I mean, it cuts both -- you know, one of the arguments in this book Freakonomics that they make is that the declining crime rate, you know, they deal with this hypothesis, that one of the reasons crime is down is that abortion is up. Well --

CALLER: Well, I don't think that statistic is accurate.

BENNETT: Well, I don't think it is either, I don't think it is either, because first of all, there is just too much that you don't know. But I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could --[b]if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down.[/b] That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down. So these far-out, these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky.

Bill Bennett's Morning in America airs on approximately 115 radio stations with an estimated weekly audience of 1.25 million listeners.




I have never heard that Bill Bennett is a born again believer. I HAVE to doubt that this would be the fruit of the heart of a follower of Jesus, however this illustrates why blacks view the republican party with suspicion and hostility.

It cements my belief as to why I believe the republican party is NOT serious about ending abortion on demand.

This is so so depraved and depressing.

 2005/9/30 15:26
ccchhhrrriiisss
Member



Joined: 2003/11/23
Posts: 4779


 Re: republican Bill Bennett comments on abortion

Hi Neilgin1...!

Quote:
I have never heard that Bill Bennett is a born again believer. I HAVE to doubt that this would be the fruit of the heart of a follower of Jesus, however this illustrates why blacks view the republican party with suspicion and hostility.

It cements my belief as to why I believe the republican party is NOT serious about ending abortion on demand.

This is so so depraved and depressing.

I agree. Bill Bennett's comments were not very christian-like. I have heard his statement before -- but usually from pro-choice people in groups like Planned Parenthood. They argue that the highest areas of crime come from poor minorities. Thus, they believe that if abortion-on-demand was made readily accessible to low-income minorities in the inner-city, then crime would decrease. This form of eugenics was Margaret Sanger's entire reasoning behind the formation of [i]Planned Parenthood[/i]. It is a disgusting defense for the murder of unborn children!

When it comes to voting, I typically vote for the pro-life candidate. Even if (as you say) the candidate may be pro-life in word only, it is much better than the typical liberal candidates that blatantly (or in Hillary Clinton's case, descreetly) sing the praises of abortion and homosexuality. Now that Judge Roberts was confirmed, and a new abortion case is pending in the Supreme Court, I am praying that this holocaust of unborn babies will end soon. I am also praying for the next candidate that will be selected over the next couple of weeks.

:-)


_________________
Christopher

 2005/9/30 16:04Profile
mloaks
Member



Joined: 2004/5/13
Posts: 129
So. MD, USA

 Re:

"Even if (as you say) the candidate may be pro-life in word only, it is much better than the typical liberal candidates that blatantly (or in Hillary Clinton's case, descreetly) sing the praises of abortion and homosexuality."

If we are Christian, is there scriptural or Spiritual justification to support a liar? Is not that actually worse than the alternative? :-o

As for the next Justice, if the GOP uses the 'nuclear option' to ram thru another Scalia, it means the end of the USA as it was founded. I hope that the GOP is sure that that choice is blessed by God (not that it would stop abortion). But then, if we cannot trust what they say, why would it matter? I just wish Rove wasn't choosing my childrens next Justice...

Its all unlikely, tho. Once DeLay is finally and thankfully purged, we can pray that the voters will institute democracy again.

Mrs Clinton has never said she is happy for any abortion. I know I am not...

Pray on... ;-)

 2005/9/30 16:26Profile









 "Pro-life" (?)

Chris,
in due respect, I think that a majority of the American body politic is "pro-death", the only difference is how they choose their slice of the prevelant death culture.

Quote:
When it comes to voting, I typically vote for the pro-life candidate. Even if (as you say) the candidate may be pro-life in word only, it is much better than the typical liberal candidates that blatantly (or in Hillary Clinton's case, descreetly) sing the praises of abortion and homosexuality.



again, due respect , "pro-life in word only" ? What? Those in the democratic party oppose the war and support abortion, those in the republican party oppose abortion and support the war.

How do you choose your death?

What's liberal and what's conservative?

If I'm against the war, what's that make me?

Liberal?

If I'm against abortion one demand, what's that make me?

Conservative?

I believe Bill Bennett gave voice to the ugly side of republican party politics, it's stunning how quickly it seems that compassionate conservatism is imploding.

To me it feels as if God is taking the veil off the ugliness and the hypocrisy in our land...Lord have mercy.

 2005/9/30 20:10
GaryE
Member



Joined: 2005/4/26
Posts: 376
Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania

 Re: republican Bill Bennett comments on abortion


I vote the same way Chris votes. Once, outside a voting place, I was asked by someone to vote for a candidate. My question to that person was, is the candidate against abortion. The person told me it wasn't an issue for this candidate. It was an issue for me. No one gets my vote unless I know they are against abortion and if I don't know anything about them they never get my vote. I can be in agreement with a candidate on almost all issues but if they don't let me know they are against abortion, they don't get my vote. There are a lot of spaces on my ballot that neither party gets my vote.

In Christ,
GaryE


_________________
Gary Eckenroth

 2005/9/30 23:58Profile
markm
Member



Joined: 2004/11/4
Posts: 46


 Re: "Pro-life" (?)

When the law was given to Moses, why was a provision made for divorce if God detests it so much?

Under the law of this land, why would God allow abortion to become legal?

Will a change in the law change hearts? Or will a change in hearts change the law?

-----
I'm not a big fan of Bennett or of politics in general, but I think his point is being missed and the inflammatory bit is being taken out of context. His point is in the last sentence of your post, "So these far-out, these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky."

The caller makes a claim that we shouldn't have abortion because it cuts social security payers. Bennett pointed out someone's book `Freakanomics` where they claim abortion was good because it reduces crime. Then he ends with the statement that I quoted above. Essentially Extrapolating too much from one factor is not a sound tactic for debate.

I am all for level headedness in political debates and not jumping to conclusions.

I don't want to put words in Bennett's mouth, but read the comments again, from this perspective, "hey, lets not make stretches to come up with new reasons to oppose abortion. Let's oppose abortion because it is morally reprehensible."

Is it still as outrageous?

meh.. Either way it seems like chatter in the wind.

Unless we teach the next generation how to walk with Jesus, how to overcome the world through the cross, then the selfishness that leads to the hard heartedness that allows someone to consider abortion will only continue to grow.

 2005/10/1 0:08Profile
ccchhhrrriiisss
Member



Joined: 2003/11/23
Posts: 4779


 Re: "Pro-life" (?)

[b]Hi Neilgin1...![/b]

You have a point about the "conservative" and "liberal" labels. In fact, in some ways, I have been labeled both as a "conservative" and a "liberal" by different people. Like you indicate, I don't feel that it is an "either/or" issue. When asked about my political preferences, I usually tell others that I am a [u]Christian[/u]. My relationship with Christ influences all areas of my life -- including the people that I vote for.

I am actively "[i]pro-life[/i]." I feel [u]very[/u] strongly about this issue -- and vote [u]against[/u] the slaughter of millions of unborn children each year. But I also oppose capital punishment. I am for greater government involvement to help the poor -- but I am opposed to welfare abuse. I am against homosexual marriage (and the attempts by some legislative activists to redefine traditional marriage), but I do not believe that there needs to be an amendment to the Constitution that defines marriage. I am for prayer in public schools -- but not mandatory or school-sanctioned prayer. I am for "free speech," but I do not feel that it extends to commercial pornography that is marketed to lustful men or children. This list could go on and on. I believe that all Americans do not fit the strict "liberal/conservative" labels, even if their votes sometimes do not show it.

As for the war, I am not completely convinced as to whether or not such military action was justified. Preemptive strikes have historical precedence (from the Six Day War -- to wars fought in Old Testament times). Whether or not this was a [i]just[/i] war will be debated for years to come. This has been the case for both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Interestingly, there is a young lady who attended the Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at my school a few years ago who had firsthand knowledge of this. She traveled to Vietnam three times to work with churches. She told me that many of the Vietnamese Christians are [i]angry[/i] that the United States pulled its forces [u]out[/u] of Vietnam in 1974. After the U.S. left, Eisenhower and McNamara's prophecy about a "domino-effect" indeed came to fruition. Several nations subsequently fell to the Communists, and as a result, they were subjected to "forced atheism." Christianity was immediately outlawed, and believers were subjected to unmentionable persecution.

Even today, the Church faces intense persecution in Vietnam. Richard Wurmbrand, the late pastor and author of [i]Tortured for Christ[/i], once stated that Vietnam would have been worth the cost if it meant that the Gospel could have been preached in Vietnam. It is also interesting to note that the lives that have been lost as a direct result of this war over the past three years [u]pales[/u] in comparison with the millions of lives that have been murdered through abortion.

In my posted reply to mloaks, I used the term "liberal" in the generic, most commonly accepted understanding of the word (liberals -- progressive to the point that they support both abortion and special rights for those that practice homosexuality, and those who fight against public displays of faith). While this definition is rather simplistic (and narrow), it applies to the commonly accepted definition in terms of those who support abortion and homosexual "rights."

[b]Hi mloaks...![/b]

Quote:
If we are Christian, is there scriptural or Spiritual justification to support a liar? Is not that actually worse than the alternative?

In my opinion, there is a difference. First of all, it is only the opinion of a select few that conservatives do not truly want to stop abortion. For one, there are conservatives that do much to stop abortion. They place limits on the practice, as well as nominate Supreme Court justices that vote as such. It is also within the Republican platform to oppose abortion. On the other hand, most liberals [u]promise[/u] that they will support abortion, and only support or nominate judges that will uphold 1973's [i]Roe v. Wade[/i]. It is also in the Democratic Party platform to continue to support the practice of abortion at all costs.
Quote:
As for the next Justice, if the GOP uses the 'nuclear option' to ram thru another Scalia, it means the end of the USA as it was founded. I hope that the GOP is sure that that choice is blessed by God (not that it would stop abortion). But then, if we cannot trust what they say, why would it matter? I just wish Rove wasn't choosing my childrens next Justice...

Its all unlikely, tho. Once DeLay is finally and thankfully purged, we can pray that the voters will institute democracy again.

I'm not quite certain of what you mean about Justice Scalia. I am not for amending Congressional protocol, but the "nuclear option" is only being considered because some liberals consistantly filibuster any and all conservative judicial nominees who are on record for opposing [u]abortion[/u]. This stand on abortion seems to be the major emphasis of judicial preference of both the Democratic Party and liberals in general. Again, I have often heard alot of harsh rhetoric about Karl Rove -- supposing that he is the most powerful man in the executive branch because, as some Democratic leaders recently said, he “controls the monkey in the White House.” I have never met Karl Rove or Tom Delay. I don't know either man, nor can I judge them by what the news media (and liberal bloggers or members of Hollywood) say in an attempt to destroy his reputation or credibility.

However, I have met several conservative Governors, Senators and members of Congress who view abortion as a disgusting practice. While their reasons might vary for holding such a position, at least they still publically state that abortion is [u]wrong[/u]. On the other hand, there are many liberals that openly fight for protection of abortion "rights" and legislatively oppose any public display of faith. They fight any reference to [i]God[/i] or Biblical values as being [i]uneducated[/i], [i]extremist[/i] or [i]hypocritical[/i] in nature.

I know that there are alot of [i]non-conservative[/i], [i]apolitical[/i], or [i]antipolitical[/i] believers on this message board. Some are quite vocally opposed to the President or hypocrisy that they feel is blatant in the Republican Party or amongst the "[i]Christian Right[/i]." I have even heard some believers state that you are almost a "sinner" for voting for or supporting President Bush. On the other hand, I have heard some holiness preachers state that it is a "sin" to vote for a Democrat. The Bible instructs us to [i]test [u]everything[/u][/i] (I Thessalonians 5:21). I believe this applies to every aspect of our lives. We should not accept or support anything, except by much prayer, fasting and after much scrutiny. This includes both our voting and political support.
Quote:
Mrs Clinton has never said she is happy for any abortion. I know I am not...

Here are a few statements made by Hillary Clinton concerning abortion:
Quote:
"I am and always have been pro-choice, and that is not a right any of us should take for granted. There are a number of forces at work in our society that would try to turn back the clock and undermine a woman’s right to chose, and [we] must remain vigilant."
- Source: New York Times, pg.A11, Jan 22, 2000

"I think the fate of the Supreme Court hangs in the balance. If we take Bush at his word, his two favorite Justices are Scalia and Thomas, both of whom are committed to overturning Roe v. Wade, ending a woman’s right to choose. I could not go along with that. In the Senate, I will be looking very carefully at the constitutional views [indicating] as to what that nominee believes about basic, fundamental, constitutional rights."
- Source: Senate debate in Manhattan, Oct 8, 2000

"I heard President Bush talking about freedom and yet his Administration has acted to deny reproductive freedom to women around the world through a global gag policy, which has left many without access to basic abortion and reproductive health services."
- Source: Remarks by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to the NYS Family Planning Providers, January 24. 2005

"I think that the vast majority of Americans find [gay marriage] to be something they can't agree with. But I think most Americans are fair. And if they believe that people in committed relationships want to share their lives and, not only that, have the same rights that I do in my marriage, to decide who I want to inherit my property or visit me in a hospital, I think that most Americans would think that that's fair and that should be done."
- Source: CBS News Interview, December 7, 2003

"The issue contrast could not be clearer. I intend to be a voice and a vote and an advocate for women's rights on behalf of a woman's right to choose. Since the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994, there have been more than 100 votes to limit abortion rights. We do not need another Republican in the Senate who would stand with Republicans to limit women's rights."
- Source: Hillary Clinton's speech accepting the endorsement of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League of New York, May 24, 2000

[i]On voting against John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court[/i]:
"I have an obligation to my constituents to make sure that I cast my vote for Chief Justice of the United States for someone I am convinced will be steadfast in protecting fundamental women’s rights...embodied in Roe v. Wade."
- Source: Hillary Clinton Senate Website, September 22, 2005

:-)


_________________
Christopher

 2005/10/1 1:25Profile









 Thank you Chris

and bless you for gifting me with that post. I pretty much feel exactly the way you do.

 2005/10/1 15:16





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