Opinion: President-elect Obama, Let Me Take You at Your Word

In his acceptance speech he mentioned those whose votes he did not earn. He said he hears us and wants to be our president. Will that include the issue of life?

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - Last night I sat and listened to the acceptance speech from President-elect Obama, as he painted a general picture of the road that lies ahead. I paid particular attention to one thing he said.

"And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too."

So President-elect Obama, I want to take you at your word. Are you hearing the thunderous voices that called out to you from pulpits, through emails, by press releases, and in multiple conversations across the nation concerning this election? Are you hearing the cries for life from your citizens? Do you hear the voices calling from the womb?

The voices were not subtle nor were they only a handful in number. They were the voices of Catholic Bishops, Priests and Deacons; Protestant Clergy; Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians; along with countless throngs of those from other religions, or no religion, who stand together for the unborn.

These voices have been calling out to you since the beginning of your campaign and I'm taking you at your word that you have heard them. Based on what you have declared, we are now asking you to be our president, too, and become a leader of life as well as a leader of change.

In just a few short months you will take the oath of office and begin residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Just about the time you have settled in, a major gathering of voices will take place just outside your window at the March for Life. Thousands of those for whom you want to be president will be calling for an end to Roe vs Wade and a return in America to a culture of life. You will hear their voices as well, they will be in your neighborhood, knocking on your door.

Last night you said, "So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other." May your words reach all the way to the womb, where the first citizens, a new generation of patriots await their day in the sun.

President-elect Obama, listen to the voices. We will not be going away. We will continue to speak for those who have no voice - the unborn and the infirm. We will continue to remind you of your responsibility as the president for a generation of Americans yet to be born.

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Of the young voters who cast the votes for the first time in the historic election, one-third of their generation did not vote. The fault was not due to voter registration, transportation to the polls, or just plain apathy. They did not vote because they were taken by force from the womb. Their lives were taken because their country declared it was legal to do so. Thousands have died during the War in Iraq, millions have perished during the War in the womb.

Last night you gave hope to those who supported you. You promised a new tomorrow with change that would better America - a change that would not just be of benefit to those who voted for you but all Americans. May your pledge engulf the true spectrum of America, the unborn and the infirm.

May your presidency bring protection to lives that, if you do act in accordance with your earlier promises, will perish in an ever-increasing holocaust.

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