In this Issue: Politics vs. Civic Duty
A Fresh Perspective from Women Who Lead
Featured "Mustard Seed" Project: Send Letters to the Editor
Letter-Writing Tips & Other Helpful Information
Sample Letter to the Editor
Plus Links to Other Letters What Every American Needs to Know
A Message to Your Fellow Citizens
Print as an Ad, a Flyer or Handy, Pre-formatted Postcard
Politics vs. Civic Duty
A Fresh Perspective from Women Who Lead
"Civic responsibility is that duty which every American has as a citizen
of this country, to respect the law, be involved in our communities,
preserve the Constitution, safeguard the Republic,
watch over our government, and seek out and elect good leaders
to represent us. Politics is the result of what happens
when not enough of us fulfill that duty."
 Many people have become battle-weary or tone-deaf to abortion "politics." It's worth considering it from a fresh perspective. You'll notice the water in this photo is a little muddy. Maybe that's appropriate to the concept of an untended pond.
When it comes to abortion, it's not really about "politics" per se ... it's about protecting and saving fundamental, God-given rights and lives. The lives of children, mothers and those who love them. The lives of heartbroken and broken families. The lives of those being pressured to abort right now--by those in schools, hospitals or even in the helping professions, or in homes where her "support network" may be weak, coercive or even violent when she most needs, wants and deserves support.
As Americans prepare for upcoming elections, we are sharing information and links to our free, research-based resources in order to help you to educate and challenge others to join in the civic and moral duty to defend the rights and lives of every citizen--born and unborn--and to offer women authentic support and to end abortion's injustice and risk to the rights and lives of both the unborn and women.
Editors' Note: This quote following article is reprinted with permission from The Abigail Adams Project. due to its helpful insights into abortion as an important but divisive, "political" issue. It is not intended to be an endorsement of any particular political or civic organization, candidate or cause.
Fulfilling Our Civic Duty
by Kimberly Fletcher
 Over the years, I have heard a lot of people say things like, "I don't get involved in politics." I completely understand why you wouldn't want to, after all, politics is not a pleasant thing.
In fact, it is all those things your mother told you to stay away from when you were growing up. But it is important that we understand the difference between politics and civic responsibility because they are not the same thing.
And our nation is in the terrible state it is where freedom hangs in the balance because we have not fulfilled our civic responsibility. The harsh reality is, if we don't like what is happening in America, we only have ourselves to blame.
We have heard a great deal about what the government can do for the people but hear very little about by the people and of the people. In America, the people rule. We are the keepers of freedom, and we are the creators and overseers of our government. So what happens when we stop watching over that government? What happens when we ourselves are no longer willing to serve in elected office? What happens when We the People walk away? The answer is POLITICS. ...more
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A Mustard Seed Project:
Letters to the Editor: On-Line or in Print
 Every citizen concerned about the rights of the unborn and women at risk of abortion can accomplish a lot by writing a letter to the editor now and then. This is one of the cheapest and most effective things you can do to challenge leaders and change the hearts and minds of citizens.
You'll also let those already hurt know they're not alone. And, you'll reach those considering abortion, those pushing someone else into abortion, or those struggling after abortion, saving lives more than two at a time.
That's a lot!
It's been said that one letter is viewed by political and other leaders as representative of hundreds of others who feel the same way but don't take the time to write.
We also offer tips to increase your chances of getting your letter published. See the links below or visit our Letters to the Editor page.
Sample Letters to the Editor
1. Unwanted Abortions Are Common, Endangering the Rights and Lives of Women, Too
Dear Editor,
Research published in major medical journals indicates that 64% of abortions in America involve coercion. Most felt pressured by others, rushed or uncertain, yet 67% received no counseling. It is no surprise that 65% of women surveyed suffered symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which the women attributed to their abortions. They also have a higher risk of death from accidents, violence, natural causes, and suicide. (Visit The UnChoice site for research summaries.)
Other studies indicate that women who abort are nearly 4 times more likely to die than those who give birth.
An unwanted, coerced, forced, deceptively or negligently informed, traumatic and deadly choice is a human rights abuse, not authentic "choice." Women have a right to freedom from unwanted abortions and related abuses that put the lives of both the unborn and mothers at risk.
More sample Letters to the Editor
Tips for Writing Effective Letters to the Editor
Political Kit -- Share this information with your leaders to educate and challenge them
Fact Sheets with Stats and Stories to Share or to Use in Your Letters
 Those who remain "undecided" on the abortion issue often do so because of ambivalence about "choice" or fear-mongering about "safe" abortions, when in reality abortion endangers and exploits all women.
Many women are at risk of being pressured, coerced, threatened, isolated, beaten, fired or even killed if they resist abortion. Furthe, for those who have abortions, rates of maternal trauma and death are significantly higher, so it's not exactly "safe," or "safer," either.
We need to always remind readers that most abortions are unwanted or coerced, since most Americans on all sides of this issue assume that the opposite is true.
To help you educate your own friends, family and local leadership or the public and the "powers that be," here are a few user-friendly, research-backed fact sheets. You can use some of this information in your letters to the editor or share the materials with others.
What Every American Needs to Know (postcard or flyer)
Portraits of Coercion (flyer)
Forced Abortion in America fact sheet
Forced Abortion in America Special Report (26 pages, front-and-back of 11x17 paper, or send the file to a quick-print shop and have them print, collate and bind copies.) Top 10 Reasons It's The UnChoice (fact sheet) We also have other resources, including The UnChoice Ads, that you can use at fairs or any time, year-round.
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Your Partnership Will Help Continue
and Speed this Work
 Tiny as it is, a mustard seed matters. Every small or large outreach matters. We offer many more resources -- including free fact sheets and flyers -- all based on academic research and specialized expertise.
You are welcome to use and share our research-based materials free of charge, but please keep in mind that we need your support to help this work continues. If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation, click here or call 1-888-412-2676.
Thank you for your participation in this important work!
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