Dear Friend,
I begin this update with one of the most overused lines in political circles: This next election may be the most critical one our nation has ever faced. I use it for one very simple reason: I believe it. Please let me briefly share with you why I believe next year’s elections are so crucial.
- Reason No. 1: The Supreme Court hangs in the balance. By all indications, President Bush hit home runs with both of his appointments to the Court. That means one more conservative justice could tip the scales and overturn Roe v. Wade, preserve natural marriage, rein in obscenity, make public parks safe for the display of the Ten Commandments and much more. The three most likely retirees are liberal justices who are advanced in years. The simple reality is that so much of what you and I have been working for is within reach, depending on what happens in the 2008 elections.
- Reason No. 2: The survival of America as we know it is at stake. As Dr. Dobson has said many times, it won’t matter how many high-quality justices we have on the Supreme Court if America loses the war with the Islamic extremists. And while the end result of this war will not be determined anytime soon, Americans will choose a path in 2008 that could largely determine where we end up. The choices are stark: Cut and run? Or stand strong?
That’s why it’s critical that Focus on the Family Action™ gather the resources to educate voters about where the candidates stand on key issues like abortion, marriage and Supreme Court appointments. So much needs to be done to mobilize grassroots networks, distribute information and, depending on resources available, run carefully targeted advertising to inform and activate voters in key states.
I wish we could count on some other national organization to fi ll that void, but God has placed this organization in a position that often requires strategic and aggressive leadership to defend the family. In 2006, for example, Focus Action and our associated state organizations raised nearly 90 percent of the funding for the nine state marriage amendment campaigns. Don’t get me wrong; we regularly partner with other wonderful profamily allies that do great work, but we also know that it’s often up to us to lead.
In the next month or so, we’ll be fi nalizing plans based on available funding, and our board will be approving the budget for our new fi scal year. Will you help us educate the voters and thereby make a huge difference in this crucial election? Your gift of support can do just that. Thank you for standing with us.
Liberals Pander to Homosexual Activists
One thing is for sure—our opponents are not sitting idly by. A recent national report revealed the massive extent to which homosexual activists are pouring huge amounts of money into politics. While they have directed most of their money toward opposing state marriage amendments, their real success has been in funding candidates in key races. One homosexual activist alone contributed nearly $15 million to various campaigns in 2006.
All of that money helps explain why the Democratic candidates for president are focusing so much time on gay-rights issues. Perhaps you saw or heard about the “gay debate” last month in which the leading Democratic candidates fell all over themselves to demonstrate their support for gays in the military, transsexual rights, open teaching of homosexuality in the classroom and gay civil unions.
Such pandering to homosexuals can’t be explained merely by the number of votes they represent, which exit polls show to be 1 to 3 percent of voters. In addition, a recent survey by a major polling firm found that, by a 2-to-1 margin, more Americans are likely to see the endorsement of a gay rights group as a reason to vote against, rather than for, a candidate. So, as a candidate, why risk such a negative reaction for the support of such a small group? Simple: the money and the inordinate influence that the homosexual lobby has on the Democratic Party.
Getting Creative for the Cause
Meanwhile, by God’s grace and your support, Focus Action continues to deal with these and many other issues in creative ways. For example, a popular new Focus Action project is the “Stoplight™”online video commentaries—the brainchild of our own CitizenLink® managing editor, Stuart Shepard. The more-or-less weekly feature appears in our “CitizenLink Daily Update” e-mail and on the CitizenLink Web site—and presents hot topics in an entertaining, humorous and informative way. You can find it easily by going to Citizenlink.com and clicking the “Stoplight” button.
Perhaps the highest compliment for “Stoplight” came from a gay-activist blogger who wrote, “I was impressed by this vid and even found myself laughing . . . I’m really glad the opposition are [sic] not usually this creative. My guess is that they got someone in from outside to write it.” Nope. Stuart writes them; his online editor, Andrew McCauley, shoots the video with a $260 camcorder. Then Stuart edits them on his desktop computer, and Andrew posts them on the Web page he designed. The whole process takes less than a day; and in this age of YouTube®, this video zips quickly around the Internet, giving it a long reach.
Shining a Light on Media Bias
Occasionally, we work behind the scenes with the media, and usually that means taking them to task for their bias. I’d like you to see what we did recently to expose some incredibly bad editing by a major metro newspaper.
It all started when hundreds of psychological, educational and ministry groups co-signed a letter from me challenging the American Psychological Association’s hostility to counselors who help homosexuals out of their unwanted lifestyle. First, we worked with the Associated Press, which wrote a fair and balanced article that was reprinted widely. However, when the Detroit Free Press got ahold of it, nearly all pro-family references were left on the editing-room floor. CitizenLink carried the original story and showed in red type what was cut out by the Detroit paper. (I’ve enclosed a copy so you can see this one for yourself.) Then we had a very direct conversation with the newsroom editor about this blatant bias, and I can tell you that our complaint was heard.
There’s so much more I could report on. Our staff is running fast with media opportunities, state and Congressional legislative battles, assisting and expanding our network of state allies, etc. Thank you for making it all possible. Please continue to stand with us through your support and prayers.
Sincerely,
Senior Vice President
Government & Public Policy
P.S. Now would be a great time to invest in the work of Focus Action. So much hangs in the balance in the coming months. Please give as generously as you can so we can ramp up accordingly. Thanks for giving us wings to fly!
