Wednesday, February 27, 2008

President Bush is a hero in Africa

from Family Research Council
Praise may be hard to come by at home, but President Bush is certainly enjoying a hero's welcome during his tour through Africa. With approval ratings well into the 80th percentile in nations like Kenya and Ghana, the President's popularity is a true testament to the contribution that America's generosity has made to the health and safety of the African people. Through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. has given life-saving antiretroviral treatment to almost a million and a half men, women, and children in 15 countries. With messages of abstinence and fidelity at the fore, America has supported community outreach to 61.5 million people. With an unprecedented $15 billion in relief, the U.S. has spent more than any other country to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa--with much to show for it. Unfortunately, the very values that have made the program effective are under attack from leaders at home. When the PEPFAR comes up for reauthorization on February 28, Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.)--Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee--will make every effort to strip the ABc model from the bill in favor of money for abortion providers and promoters. As the President is busy surveying the success that his approach has had in preserving future generations, Berman and the Democratic leadership are plotting to turn the program into something that would help eliminate Africa's next generation.
Under Berman's proposal, PEPFAR could permit abortion services at taxpayer expense, as well as the removal of the Prostitution Pledge, which would give a U.S. stamp of approval on global sex trafficking and prostitution! At a time when President Bush is enjoying almost unanimous praise from African leaders for PEPFAR, he reminded Congress to "listen to the leaders on the continent of Africa, analyze what works, stop the squabbling, and get the program reauthorized." If our tax dollars are going to go overseas they should go to program like the current PEPFAR that promote pro-family policies. Do your part to keep it that way; ask your member of Congress to resist the urge to turn PEPFAR into another international family planning program.
More details on the Presidents African trip are available here.

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