Planned Parenthood receives tax money from the federal government under Title X for family planning clinics. During fiscal year 2005-2006, they received $305.3 million in government grants and contracts. The past year they received $265 million. Since 1970, it is estimated that Planned Parenthood facilities have performed over three million abortions. Presently, they are using tax money to take a case before the Supreme Court over partial birth abortion, a procedure where a baby, during the seventh through ninth month of pregnancy, is delivered until only its head is still in the birth canal. An instrument is then pushed into the cranial cavity to suck out the brains. This procedure was banned by Congress and signed into law by President Bush. The vast majority of Americans feel this procedure is wrong. One judge ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood so now our tax monies are supporting them in their bid to reinstate this heinous procedure.

Planned Parenthood also has a website for teens called teenwire.com. One segment answers questions from teens, such as is abortion safe. Their answer is "Yes. Abortion is a very safe procedure. It's about twice as safe as a shot of penicillin." Post abortion stress syndrome (PASS) is only scoffed at on this site as a ploy by "anti-choice" groups. They feel most women, in the long-term, experience feelings of relief. They should go to afterabortion.com, a site set up by a woman who has had five abortions and still remains neutral on the issue of abortion. She does, however, definitely believe in PASS and counsels people concerning it. PP also list the parental consent and notification laws for all the states and tells teens how to circumvent the laws by getting a judicial bypass. No where on this site will you find pictures of developing babies showing arms, legs and internal organs at eight weeks along. There is no encouragement for abstinence, only contraception.

If you do not want your taxes to pay for abortions, write or call your representatives. You can also contact the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) by calling (877) 989-2255 or go to their website at aclj.com. You can add your name to a petition that will be sent to the State and House to stop giving money to groups who perform abortions under Title X funding.

Julie Frandsen

1011 Kennedy Drive