Our greater motivation

Gallup recently released a poll showing that most Americans who label themselves “pro-choice” are actually supportive of common-sense limitations on abortion, such bans on third-trimester abortions (79%) and partial-birth abortions (63%). They also live up to the true meaning of “choice” by joining pro-life advocates in supporting informed consent (86%) and a 24-hour waiting period (60%).

What struck me most about this is how out-of-touch pro-choice organizations are with their constituents. For instance, the Center for Reproductive Rights has filed numerous lawsuits against informed consent laws, and EMILY’s List requires its candidates to support partial-birth abortion.

These policies are not what the average “pro-choice” person supports; these organizations are really pro-abortion. So it comes as no surprise that they have a hard time finding grassroots activists to push their mission. The solution? Pay them!

A couple of weeks ago, a poster in the vestibule of a Thai restaurant in Chicago caught my eye. I’d just eaten there with my wife April before heading around the corner for a concert. In large type, the poster was advertising “Campaign Jobs,” with the tagline, “Work for the pro-choice movement.”

. . .

It’s unfortunate the abortion lobby is so well funded they can hire activists (or try to), but it’s encouraging to realize they have to. They just don’t have the kind of deep, grassroots commitment that characterizes the pro-life movement.

You’ll never see that kind of advertising tactic in the pro-life movement. We don’t have to pay anyone to go to the March for Life, offer help to women outside of abortion facilities, or run student clubs. Even those who have full-time jobs in the pro-life movement are not paid very well. (For the record, SPL has no paid staff.) Pro-lifers are motivated by the knowledge that we can save lives. That’s a greater reward than any blood-money-financed paycheck.