Like so many young women in this country, when I was 19 years old I went to a Planned Parenthood health center for a routine pap test.
The test detected cervical cancer, but because the cancer was caught early, I was able to get treatment and now three decades have passed.
Planned Parenthood saved my life.
So you can imagine my surprise when Mitt Romney said, "Planned Parenthood, we're going to get rid of that," during a discussion about the federal budget.
I wanted to share my family's story with him. I wanted him to understand what's at stake.
So I sat down and wrote to him. This is the letter I sent him:
Dear Governor Romney,
I don't ordinarily write letters to politicians. We've never met. I'm a single mom living in Florida, and you have a pretty full plate.
My teenage daughters are on Spring Break this week, and I want to spend all the time I can with them. But first I'm reaching out to you because I am so troubled by comments you made this week. I was surprised and alarmed to see video of you saying, "Planned Parenthood, we're going to get rid of that," during a discussion about the federal budget.
Governor Romney, Planned Parenthood saved my life. I know what it would mean to "get rid of" Planned Parenthood.
I had a routine pap test at a Planned Parenthood health center when I was 19 years old, and it detected cervical cancer. Because of Planned Parenthood, the cancer was caught early. I was able to get treatment, and three decades have passed.
Now my focus is on my daughters, who are 15 and 18. I have been battling breast cancer for the last several years -- it's hereditary breast cancer, which means my daughters have a 50/50 chance of getting it. I am now losing my battle with breast cancer. It has metastasized, and my doctors have told me that I can expect to live six months to two years
Because Planned Parenthood saved my life 30 years ago, and because the breast cancer I have is hereditary, my girls get screened every few months at our local Planned Parenthood health center. Given our income and the State of Florida's programs, the only place my daughters can get their cancer screening is at Planned Parenthood. There have been advances in early detection, making Planned Parenthood my daughters' best chance for a long and healthy future.
You seemed so cavalier when you said you would "get rid of" Planned Parenthood, but you're talking about my life and my daughters' lives.
Getting rid of Planned Parenthood would get rid of the health care millions of other women and their families rely on for breast exams, pap tests, birth control, and STD tests. A Planned Parenthood doctor is the only physician many women see -- that was certainly the case for me when I was diagnosed with cancer. And Planned Parenthood health centers are often the only provider of women's health care within miles.
If Planned Parenthood had not been there for me -- if someone had decided to get rid of the organization or its funding -- I would not be here today.
When I had my daughters, I vowed to make sure they would always be safe and healthy, which includes having access to the health care that saved my life. I am writing ask that you reconsider your remarks about Planned Parenthood -- and to ask that when you think about what Planned Parenthood does and why it matters, you think of me and my family. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Smithers
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| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Electoral Votes (270 to win) |
332 | 206 |
| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 65,899,660 | 60,932,152 |
| Percent | 51.1% | 47.2% |
| Democrats* | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Senate | 53 | 47 |
| Seats gained or lost | +2 | -2 |
| New Total | 55 | 45 |
| Democrats | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats won | 201 | 234 |
Suppressing viewpoints that we don't like: is that the American way? Apparently it's the Romney way. Here's hoping voters think about that, too, when they're at the polls this November.
Now let's all get out and vote to show them that making enemies of the female majority loses elections.
When they say these things they're not confused, they know EXACTLY what they're doing. This was revealed to me GRAPHICALLY in GOP debates with an audience CHEERING for death.
On a more personal note, I wish you and your family all the best in this difficult time, and I have faith in the women of America and American men of good conscience to continue to fight to protect your daughters and all women form the insanity gripping the GOP.
No, instead he exhibits textbook Right-Winger Disease, obviously believing all the falsehoods about PP that Right-Wing operatives have pulled out of their arses and repeated to the public...which, in turn, exhibits to the public his lack of education or even the ability to self-educate...which only serves to prove once again how unqualified he is to be president of this country.
but we just spent 332 billion on f35 lighting II fighter jets.
maybe, just maybe, some of that money can be used to you know.. like help the people who gave it to the lawmakers?
Unfortunately, Rommeny and the rest of the GOP believe that you should just work harder so you can pay for your own health care. If you can't, "Gee, that's a tough break. Why should those who are successful help the less fortunate? That's class warfare and socialism! Besides PP is just an abortion factory and doesn't deserve any public money."
Face it, to the GOP we the 99% are just cheap labor for their lawns and source of taxes to pay for the government that they run and profit from. It demonstrates the level of the GOP thinking: abortion is wrong and should be totally illegal, but not one cent for medical care for the mothers and fetuses. I guess they figure that the death rate will go up for those without health care so the birth rate needs to be increased to keep a viable working class. Talk about death panels.
I knew the suckers are crazy, but I am dumb-struck by what the GOP is saying and doing. Their mothers seem to have failed to instil any respect for women and all people, and their ministers / priests (or whatever) failed to teach them to respect and care for the poor and weak. Can you imagine any of the GOP field washing the feet of a homeless beggar as Jesus did? They will pay, according to my Bible, the rich have a very small chance of entry into the house of the lord.