The day after history was made

I’ve come in rather late to fully discuss the 2008 presidential election, and with ballots already cast, what’s done is done. As the majority of my friends and family embraced Senator Barack Obama’s candidacy, so too did many of my fellow Catholics. The economy, the unpopularity of President George W. Bush, the rise of the Latino voting bloc in key battleground states, and the confused campaign of Senator John McCain, all played a role in the forming of the perfect storm that ensured the election of our nation’s first African-American. And while the possibility of electing our nation’s first minority president was compelling being the daughter of Latino immigrants, as was the need for change, I was unable to look past Obama’s radical pro-abortion stance. As concerned I was for the state of our nation’s economy, the rising cost of health care, and the need for immigration reform, I could not in good conscience cast my ballot for my fellow Democrat (note- I identify myself as a pro-life Democrat, but more on that at a later time). So where does the election of our president-elect leave me? I believe the following article by Deacon Keith A. Fournier raises an excellent point.

What is clear is that Barack Obama will now be my President as well as the President of all those who voted for him. I will pray for him and respect his office. I will do all that I can to influence him and his administration concerning the truth of this fundamental human right to life. I will also do something else. I will join with others in building a new movement which recognizes the failures of both major political parties and seeks to build a new alliance of Americans. This alliance will insist upon the primacy of the fundamental human right to life – not as a single issue – but as the very framework and foundation of a truly just society.

The movement to end legal abortion and recognize the right to life, at every age and stage, will not go away. In fact, I predict that the election of this new President with such an extreme approach to this fundamental human rights issue assures a new birth of a new movement unlike this Nation has ever seen.

So to my fellow Pro-life Americans who are tired, disappointed, distraught and dismayed, I say never lose hope. Our position concerning the humanity of children in the womb is revealed in the Natural Law and confirmed by medical science. It is true. It will be recognized and prevail as certainly as the truth concerning the intrinsic evil of slavery came to be recognized and prevailed in this Nation.

There is a lot to analyze in this election which will, if honestly assessed,help us to learn from our failure and become more effective in our work. In the next few months, let us do just that.

As for this evening, President Elect Barack Obama Makes History. Tomorrow let the work to build a true Culture of Life begin again.

Neither major party candidate advocated a complete 100% pro-life platform, and as Fournier points out, both parties have failed on that end. Would America benefit from a parliamentary system, if it broke from the present two-party rule? It could easily be argued so, but until such a time comes, Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden are in need of our prayers. Now, perhaps more than ever.