Last year, pro life groups petitioned the State of Virginia for a pro-life license plate. It passed, and the governor signed the bill into law. $15 of the yearly fee goes to Heartbeat International.
This year pro-choice groups, spearheaded by Virginia Planned Parenthood, are attempting to have a pro-choice license plate. The plate will say: “Trust Women/Respect Choice”.
$15 of the annual fee after the first thousand was to go to Planned Parenthood for prevention, health screening, HPV vaccine, etc. NO MONEY WAS TO GO TOWARDS ABORTION.
Yesterday, HB 1108 was amended to divert the money to the Virginia Pregnant Womens Support Fund. This fund, according to Richmond Sunshine, supports the following:
Pregnant Women Support Act.As a routine component of prenatal care, every licensed practitioner who renders prenatal care shall provide information and support services to patients receiving a positive test diagnosis for Down Syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed conditions. This bill also creates the Virginia Pregnant Women Support Fund as a special nonreverting fund to be administered by the Board of Health to support women and families who are facing an unplanned pregnancy.
According to Lake Wylie Pilot:
Opponents, including the state’s attorney general and governor, say they oppose diverting money from plate fees to Planned Parenthood offices – not necessarily the plates themselves.
A state Senate committee heard testimony on the bill Thursday and could vote on it this week. The full legislature’s approval and the governor’s signature are needed for the plates to be sold.
Last year, Virginia became the 23rd state to approve the “Choose Life” plate.
The money should go to Planned Parenthood as the bill’s sponsor intended. How dare Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15) attempt to funnel pro-choice money to any cause other than the one intended? This move is just another attempt to control what Virginians think. No one is being forced to buy that plate. The money comes from the person buying the plate, not tax payer money. That’s the rub.
Those who truly oppose abortion should know that preventing the need for it in the first place is the best way to do away with it. Shame on those who divert money away from Planned Parenthood.
This legislative end run appears to be a left handed way of inhibiting free speech. If one group gets to have a license plate with part of its funds designated as they choose, shouldn’t the other group have equal choice?
I have a question. I saw the statement “NO MONEY WAS TO GO TOWARDS ABORTION.” I read the legislation and there was no restriction on the money, just some vague term like “health services.” How does one know that no money would go toward abortions when Planned Parenthood maintains abortion clinics?
Even if there is a way to funnel license fees directly to a nonabortion area of Planned Parenthood, couldn’t the organization just lower the money they get from donations that is budgeted for nonabortion services they provide and use it for abortion services?
This is actually a question and not an argument for or against who gets the proceeds.
Figures I would be the first to comment.
Rez, why does it figure you are the first to comment on this thread? Just curious.
Doesn’t PP have some purely teaching programs on women’s health issues? If they put money towards that, I have no problem with it. I DO have a problem with PP’s endorsements of abortion, however. Education and protection are the way to go IMO–that and adoption.
Yesterday, HB 1108 was amended to divert the money to the Virginia Pregnant Womens Support Fund.
Does this mean that the money that was intended for PP is going instead to the Va. Pregnant Women’s Support Fund? That’s the way I understood it. Am I right?
PAP, in another thread I staked my opposition to abortion. I did say that I don’t have a right to dictate my morals on anyone else but that I was saddened that abortion was being used for birth control when that was not the stated intent of Roe. And I do think an unborn child should have some protected rights. But I am trying to not turn this into a abortion debate as they go on ad nauseum, no one wins or convinces others, and they cannot be dealt with in any depth on a blog.
So, I realize that PP has some pretty valuable aspects to the organization but I was really asking how one would ever know what the funds were used for. It isn’t like the money is painted a different color.
It is the same as the debate over lotteries. If the lottery has to go to education, but the government reduces its participation in education because education is getting lottery money, and uses the reduced money for other programs, is lottery funding education or other government programs? At least with government, you can pass a law that says they can’t reduce education because they are getting lottery money, but it almost becomes unenforceable if you try that on a private organization.
So I could dream that this is a perfect world but I guess I am just a skeptic.
By the way, I do reserve my rights to speak out against what I think is not appropriate, just no dictate it.
It was an agreement. I know because of statements put out by Planned Parenthood. I suppose it was in the preliminary application. And, since all the money comes from the person buying the plate, what difference does it make anyway?
And I agree, it shouldn’t be a debate about abortion but about free speech and equal treatment of groups.
Pinko, PP doesn’t endorse abortion. some of their clinics provide abortion. But that isn’t what this thread is about….so I will stop.
I see your point, Rez. I think PP has a long history of separating its money down to different …what do I want to say…names for branches of organization. I have always had a lot of respect for that organization. No group does as much work with prevention of unwanted pregnancy as Planned Parenthood. I know it has been demonized by a lot of people but that is cultural warrior politics.
When I had to do an internship to graduate, one of the places that offered an internship was Planned Parenthood in Falls Church. I graduated, undergrad and grad from Marymount University, that is a Catholic School! The Planned Parenthood I did my internship at did NOT provide ANY abortion service. They did STD screening, lots of womens health annual exams, and gave out contrapection. They did pregnancy tests and counseled women, but NEVER pushed abortions, just very kindly gave them the results and an ear to listen if they became upset.
This is an issue of fairness, it’s really that simple. If the issue were reversed and Planned Parenthood had a license plate with fund going to prevent pregnancy and then an anti abortion group wanted a license plate, fund being diverted to help pregnant women, I would advocate the SAME rights for them. It’s called not being a hypocrite.
“contraception” not the bungled word I attempted to spell!
Also, let me clarify, Marymount University had a list of internships that qualifed for certain degrees, PP in Fall Church was on THEIR list, I did not seek it out.
Exactly! Ergo the “planned” in Planned Parenthood. No one WANTS an abortion, it is not something a woman seeks out like some sort of new pair of shoes or dress.
I don’t think most women WANT to have an abortion. However, if some options are presented as more viable than others and the woman is already feeling vulnerable, then the results are often skewed, IMO.
Don’t get me wrong. I do think PP does some good things. But I want to see money going towards those things, not abortion clinics. If Kip is right, then it’s okay with me.
Regarding the license plates, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Equal opportunity.
Here’s where I break with the vast majority of conservatives. If they want a license plate, I think it’s only fair to let them have a plate. As a father now, I find abortion most repugnant, but I didn’t used to feel that way, and when I think of a child in a home where he or she is more of a burden than loved, sometimes I think maybe it’s better that way. I just don’t wanna know about it. But if pro-life has a plate, by all means, pro-choice can have a plate.
The money was never to go for abortions.
Yes Kipp, you are right. And welcome.
A little bird told me that those supporting the bill didn’t fight the diversion of funds very hard. It sounds like PP needs to get everyone on board. I still l see funneling those funds to the women’s fund as an end run.
Pinko, I am not sure what you mean by results being skewed. Elaborate pls.
So license plates are now bumper stickers. I can’t wait to see the gay marriage ones. Or the legalize marijuana ones. Or the Jesus is Lord ones.
Maybe the revenue could go to snow removal.
I would prefer that political or religious messages not be on license plates. No one’s side. However, since no one seems to agree with me, I do think it ought to be fair.
You named it right: bumper stickers. (Prison made ones perhaps?)
Free Lyndon Larouche
Question Authority
Are you stoned or just stupid
Can’t Fix Stupid…..
I must go now. I can only imagine what would come out of prisions.
Ahhh “can’t fix stupid”…the Great Bill Parcells!
The problem with using the state DMV as a clearinghouse for donations to Planned Parenthood is that it gives the perception of government enabling the funding of abortions. It’s like I’m coming home from work, paycheck in hand, and I insist that MY paycheck only be used for food and clothing, mortgage and necessities, but NEVER for my husband’s model-train obsession. How do I know that not a single dollar of MY paycheck went to the hobby shop? My dollars are not pink, his are not blue. And then what happens when you’ve got more than enough funding for pregnancy prevention, screening and vaccines? Could the savings leak into abortion provision?
President Obama has very carefully tried to avoid the issue of government funding for abortion to try to get his healthcare bill passed. As he himself has learned very early on, perception is reality.
Until he went to Dallas. 🙂 But even that can be almost forgiven…
Donations to planned parenthood have no business being funneled through state accounts and political statements should not be on license plates. If you have to explain too much, you should look at what you’re doing.
Regardless of what your opinion is on abortion, it is elective surgery in most cases and should fall where the rest of elective surgeries fall in the plan.
What is so difficult?? Congress should read anti-bvbl for direction.
@Moon-howler “skewed” was an awkward way to put it. What I mean is if a counselor emphasizes one option over another, the client is likely to be influenced if s/he is particularly vulnerable.
Whether we want to believe it or not, there ARE counselors out there who would promote abortion over adoption.
Does anyone know if other states have license plates with “ads” on them? Just curious.
Emma, I can’t help it if people are ignorant and don’t know that the money that goes to organizations is from the person buying the plate, not the state.
Who is to say who is taking the high road. I feel I am. You obviously feel you are.
What if I, as a pro-choice woman, do not want MY money going to right to life groups? How do I know that not one red cent of my money goes to that Heartbeat International organization? I don’t. What if I don’t want my state funneling money to them? I guess I am out of luck.
The issue is fairness.
That’s the reason that controversial issues have no business on license plates. But since the state disagrees with me, then we need to go with the next best thing, fairness. Planned Parenthood should get the money from the plates. it was an end run and a feeble, juvenile attempt to squelch free speech or free thought.
Actually I think I will go to PP website right now and make a donation to them in Delegate Todd Gilbert’s name.
@Posting As Pinko You are absolutely right that abortion is the easy way out (at least physically, but very often not emotionally) compared to a pregnancy, delivery, giving up for adoption or raising of an unwanted child. It’s the expedient solution at a desperate time. But where are the abortion providers when a woman is filled with sadness and remorse?
@Moon-howler
Actually, I was making the point that the DMV shouldn’t be the clearinghouse for these sorts of donations at all. There’s no way to know what the money is actually funding.
@Moon-howler “Who is to say who is taking the high road. I feel I am. You obviously feel you are.”
Sheesh, thumbtacks for dinner?
Good point, Emma. Why IS the DMV channeling ANY donations? Do other agencies do this? With all the complaints the DMV gets, is it smart to have them take on other responsibilities?
What is it my wife tells me? No uterus, no opinion.
Mrs. Slow is a wise woman.
Actually no, Emma. I think you think you are taking the high road and I think I am. That shouldn’t be seen as cantankerous. It basically means we will never agree. I once had someone tell me I was brave to declare that I was pro-choice. I don’t think I was brave at all. I simply believe women have the ability to make up their own minds what to do about unwanted pregnancy or about wanted pregnancies when there is a fetal anomoly. I want the government and men out of their business. Nothing brave about that. I made up my mind when I was a girl after hearing about Miss Sherrie and Thalidamide.
I don’t think that people can say what is the best choice (and yes, giving birth is one of the choices for pro choice people) for women in general. What one person can do and live with certainly varies from person to person.
That’s one of the reasons I want money funneled into prevention of unwanted pregnancy.
Pinko, it is done all the time. If you want University of Florida plates, you pay an extra $15 for the plates and DMV sends them on to U of FL. No different.
This issue isn’t finished. It still needs to go through the Senate and I expect the sparks will fly. I just don’t like the end run. It was done at the last minute.
And on that we both agree.
I have had pro choice stickers removed from my bumper when I was parked in my own drive way. If I got a license place I would probably have to put an alarm on it to keep it from being stolen.
I don’t want my tax dollars being wasted on abstinence only “education” but I don’t have a choice about that do I!
Nope, you sure don’t, I am sorry to say. Agreed, Elena.
Juturna “So license plates are now bumper stickers” That’s the way I look at it. I keep the basic plate and that is to much money, let alone a small portion goes to a cause. I just can’t help thinking of all the VT plates I see and how they are ripping people off with the cost of tuition 🙂 lol!
why do we get ourselves into a slippery slope of problems. If one would like a vanity plate, they should pay for it, BUT, the state should not be in the business of collecting and distributing funds to a charity – any charity. Many people do not want the government involved with healthcare, but they vote for the government to collect funds and send it to a charity that they endorse….
While I would rather not have bumper sticker plates, if we must, let them put what they want on them.
However, all funds should be slated for transportation. No diverging of funds. If my tax money is paying for it, it should go to the state. No plate money should go to ANY cause.
Is the state making a profit on collecting for charitable donations? If they are bringing in money to Virginia for all the vanity plates, then fine. I would still steer away from controversial issues though.
I think I like what Cargo is saying. The devil with all the charities, put any money into transportation.
Cargo, if you are paying outright for a vanity plate, it isn’t tax money is it?
I think your idea ought to rule out though…Vanity plates for transportation. What possible reason could the state have to not be able to do this?
@Moon-howler M-h, While I find state’s attempt to divert funds from the intended target, I absolutely agree with your last comment: transform vanity plates into another source of revenue and put the money in transportation.
Cargo’s idea. I just agreed with him.
Good one, Emma! That must be like my mom and asking if you had Razor Soup for breakfast.
@Moon-howler
I agree the government should be out of this discussion entirely. Abortion is a medical and moral decision. If we have education, prevention and other options, we, as a society, can discourage it, and we should.
The thought has occurred to me that many people have no idea what I am talking about when I talk about Thalidomide. From Wikipedia:
It was found to cause severe fetal abnormalities such as kids born with flippers instead of arms and legs if taken during pregnancy. It was a European drug and crossed the continent. Very sad situation for many families and their offspring. I don’t know what happened to those kids. You don’t see them around now. Maybe they didn’t live to adulthood.
At any rate, abortion became a household word because many women who knew they had taken this drug sought abortions if they were pregnant. One such person was Miss Sherrie Finkbine who ran a romper room show on TV. Short and long of it-her case became so publicized that the hospital denied her an abortion. She didn’t want to have a Thalidomide baby and she ended up having to go to Sweden for her procedure.
It was probably the first time I ever heard the word. I was a kid. The entire Miss Sherrie/Thalidomide situation made a deep impression on me–one that has not changed over the many years since this happened.
Off topic, but pertaining to Virginia.
Four Rest Areas on 81 have reopened. This is great news for Virginia and those on our highways. Thank you, Governor McDonnell!!
http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/statewide/2010/vdot_reopens_first_four45199.asp
I think diverting funds to transportation is an excellent idea!!!
I would like to see that happen for all vanity plates, not just the ones in question.
Slowpoke, I agree with you and your wife. Glad to find common ground.
[…] women have enough sense to state where they want their money to go. Rewind to a few weeks ago. In An Issue of Fairness we illuminated the hypocrisy going on in the Delegate Assembly with HB 1108 which was about […]