Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
Newsletter
Volume 16, Number 5
June 2006
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“If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?”
This past spring my local association negotiated with our local Board of Education. As with many school districts, health care has become a major issue during negotiations. Our local school district belongs to a consortium of school districts which then choose the health care provider. However, the consortium meets and decides on the actual benefits that will be provided through that health care provider.
During our ratification meeting, a consultant from our health care provider came to present information on our new negotiated health care plan. During the presentation the consultant shared a comment that perked my attention: “The former health care plan provided benefits for elective abortions. The consortium decided to change that benefit to medically necessary abortions” (paraphrased). I have taught in this local school district for 20+ years and this was the first time that I was made aware of the fact that our health care plan has been providing benefits for elective abortions.
Because of the changes in our health care plan, another meeting was held on May 31st for further explanation of our benefits. The consultant from our health care provider did an excellent presentation regarding our benefits. Again, the consultant stated “The former health care plan provided benefits for elective abortions. This current plan provides benefits for medically necessary abortion” (paraphrased).
I hoped to have had an opportunity to talk with the consultant afterwards, but that opportunity did not occur. I wanted their definitions of “elective” and “medically necessary”. According to Family Research Council In Focus (IF94E3LF), a “medically necessary” abortion is the equivalent of abortion on demand. This document further quotes Judith Feder who was a Clinton Administration health official: “the decision of the woman and the physician” determines whether a service can be considered “medically necessary.” In essence, as long as the abortionist and the expectant mother agree that she should have an abortion; her abortion would be considered “medically necessary.”
I teach in a conservative rural school district. I was very surprised that my school district would have agreed to ever include any type of abortion in their benefit plan. I plan to do further research regarding this benefit within our health care plan and state my concern to my local Board of Education and administration.
My challenge to you – take time to check out your health care plan provided by your school district. You may be shocked to find out what is actually included in that plan. If abortion is a benefit provided by your health care plan, then be a voice for life by stating your concern to your local school officials.
We are currently accepting new memberships for the 2006-2007 membership year. Any new memberships received after June 1st are good until August 31, 2007. Renewal membership information will be sent to all current members in early July. ALL memberships are handled through the National Office. Each month States Affiliates will receive membership updates and their portion of the dues received.
Please help the Teachers Saving Children® office keep accurate records by verifying all membership information. Please make sure your membership forms are accurate, complete, signed, and dated. Thank you for your continued support in being "A Voice for LIFE in Education."
Attending the Ohio Education Association (OEA) Representative Assembly, May 5th, proved to be a different experience for me this year, since I'm now a Retired OEA member rather than a voting delegate from my school district. As an observer (sitting in the balcony), I was able to hear more clearly the issues being discussed, rather than be immersed in formulating rebuttal arguments to the statements made throughout the day.
Now, more than ever, I have seen it for what it’s worth--an interesting, yet sadly thought-provoking Representative Assembly event, which has become an astounding political arena where our state-wide OEA leaders and many delegates become intensely involved. This has been the case over the past 15 years that I have attended, but this year the liberal mentality all around me, overwhelmed me. I have come to a conclusion: It seems impossible for those of us who are pro-life to have our voices understood and represented at the State and National Level.
What really caught my attention at this past RA was the amount of time spent on the political rally, with music and singing for Ted Strickland [Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate for the State of Ohio]. It seemed as though we were at a Political Convention rather than at an Education Association Representative Assembly. "Teachers for Ted" was the chant that echoed throughout Veterans Memorial Hall for what seemed like forever. Then Mr. Strickland delivered a campaign speech to appeal to the educators present with platitudes all heard before and no real platform of how he plans to accomplish his plan. He repeatedly stated how "he plans to turn Ohio around, end the corrupt leadership in our state, turn education around, etc.," yet with no real plan of action. His ending statement really aroused my interest since he spoke with a true paradox for any of us who are pro-life. He stated, "Education is our only hope for the future," and then added that he's going to bring morality back to Ohio - mentioning things such as morality back to education, morality for access to health care for educators and retirees, etc. However, he forgot to mention the most important moral issue - life itself. (Mr. Strickland, as most know, is “pro-choice”.) If he truly intends to work for morality in education, how can he support an abortion-choice stand and, likewise, have the endorsement of our abortion-choice education association, and yet be truly moral? I asked myself.
After Mr. Strickland completed his campaign speech, I was moved to question him on this issue. As I came out to the lobby where he was exiting the assembly, he was soon flanked by young teachers waiting to shake his hand and get his autograph on their "Teachers for Ted" fans. As I moved closer, I realized I was surrounded, myself, by many news reporters with microphones listening to the comments. Suddenly I was directly facing Mr. Strickland, and he extended his hand for me to shake, which I did. He was smiling and eager for more of the support he had been given; however, I was not there to garner his wishes for support. I made the following comments to him: "Mr. Strickland, I respect our Association's right to endorse you and to invite you to speak before our Assembly. However, not all of us are in agreement with you and the pro-choice agenda our organization, the OEA, has taken. I don't understand how you state you are going to bring morality back to Ohio, yet you are known to be Pro-Choice, and this very moral issue of taking unborn lives, our future students, is in direct conflict with the moral beliefs of many educators. Will you please address this issue for me?”
Mr. Strickland then told me he believes that the choice is up to a man and a woman, and he chooses to leave it at that. I then briefly said that this involves the most serious moral issue of all, Life, and to be truly moral, one cannot allow for a choice of killing an innocent life. He (paraphrasing) explained that he wishes to remain outside of this realm and let the individuals involved make their own decisions. I briefly explained that a moral person making statements on moral issues cannot avoid this, in which case, I said, I just didn't understand what he truly meant by bringing morality back to education and I hoped that he understood my point of view. I then thanked him for his time.
Why has our education association swung so far left and taken a position on abortion, a matter in which we truly don't have to be involved? Why does our dues money have to support “pro-choice” issues and candidates that many of us find offensive to our moral beliefs?
I have an attractive little blue pin I received some years ago from our OEA with three children dancing about. The message on the pin reads, "OEA, It's about Students." What a far cry that is from what the OEA is really all about.
Editor’s Note: Gloria Hoelle is a retired educator and a former member of the Board of Trustees.
A special thank you to each person who has given $5, $10, or more to this special ministry opportunity. The Lord has graciously provided through you the funds needed for the exhibit space rental fee, miscellaneous fees, and the materials to distribute free to educators who visit our exhibit. We have also been able to purchase some videos and DVDs to distribute free to selected educators who would use them in their classrooms. Any additional funds received will be used for unexpected expenses that may occur as we finalize the details of the display.
Thank you for your continued prayers as we prepare and transport the display. Please pray for the Lord’s special anointing as we minister to individuals during the exhibit hours.
Reminder: Those individuals still desiring to support this exhibit financially should make their checks payable to “TSC Inc. – National”. Please carefully note how the amount given is to be designated ("NEA Exhibit") so that he contribution will be appropriately allocated.
During the Representative Assembly there is, also, a major emphasis on contributing to the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education (formerly called “NEA-PAC,” the political action arm of the NEA). This Fund receives money over and above dues monies. A lot of pressure is placed on delegates to “voluntarily” donate $150.00 to the fund. What does NEA do with these political contributions collected at the RA? According to a flyer received at a recent state caucus meeting, “the sole purpose of The NEA Fund is to help elect pro-public education candidates who will support legislation that will benefit you and other NEA members and the students you serve in and out of the classroom. The NEA Fund is the largest political action organization in the country uniquely committed to helping elect pro-public education candidates.”
The following disclaimer was also included in the same material:
The National Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education collects voluntary contributions from Association members and uses those contributions for political purposes, including, but not limited to, making contributions to and expenditures on behalf of friends of public education who are candidates for federal office. Contributions to The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education are voluntary; making a contribution is neither a condition of employment nor membership in the Association, and members have the right to refuse to contribute without suffering any reprisal. Although The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education requests an annual contribution of $20, this is only a suggestion. A member may contribute more or less than the suggested amount, or may contribute nothing at all, without it affecting his or her membership status, rights, or benefits in NEA or any of its affiliates.
Contributions or gifts to The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.”
It is vital that you contact your delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly, letting them know your philosophy on various issues and candidates. If you have a delegate(s) from your local attending the NEA convention, contact should be easy. However, many locals do not or cannot send delegates to the NEA RA. Therefore, state at-large delegates or cluster delegates need to be contacted. If you need the names and addresses of your delegate(s), please contact your local president or your NEA State Affiliate office.
Get involved by contacting your NEA delegates! Remind them to vote according to the wishes of the membership they represent! And then hold them accountable by requesting a written report upon their return! Remember: They are your representatives!
Editor’s Note: In some states, NEA members must indicate through a reverse check-off system that they do NOT want any of their monies to be given to The Fund for Children and Public Education. It is important for NEA members to check with their individual state affiliates to find out whether or not their state uses this system to raise monies for The Fund for Children and Public Education.
Also, some states governments, like Ohio, allow individuals to give donations directly to a candidate and to receive a refund on their state income tax for such a contribution! An added advantage of supporting candidates directly, rather than through the union, is that the contribution becomes more personal Find out whether or not your state has this provision.
* Offering iPods, movie tickets and discount coupons to potential clients (Planned Parenthood Golden State, CA);
* Creating a sexually graphic television ad targeting MTV’s youth audience and marketing “safe sex”;
* Courting pro-abortion clergy at its annual national prayer breakfast and encouraging Planned Parenthood volunteerism in local churches;
* Marketing Planned Parenthood as a health care, not abortion, provider (strategy of Cecile Richards, new president Planned Parenthood Federation of America);
* Targeting states with high populations of traditionally pro-life Latin Americans with greater number of abortion centers, e.g., California, New York, and Texas;
* Proposing opening abortion centers on Indian reservations in states where abortion is banned, e.g., South Dakota, to be free of state or federal restrictions.
Source: Abstracted in part from Cincinnati Right to Life Educational Foundation, Inc. Newsletter May 2006 Volume 36, Number 5.
The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR) is looking for pro-life individuals who are willing to operate their anti-abortion billboard vans called the Reproductive “CHOICE” Campaign (RCC) in Pennsylvania during the 2006 Senate race. RCC consists of several large vans displaying billboard size pictures of aborted babies on the sides and rear juxtaposed next to the word “CHOICE.” A special license is NOT required to drive. If you are looking for an opportunity to save babies along with making abortion a top issue in the upcoming election, please call Paul Troiani at 614-419-1667 or email him at pault@cbrinfo.org. For more information about RCC, visit www.abortionno.org.
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