Yesterday was the 2014 March for Life. The diversity of the crowd shows why leftist New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was petty, silly, and prejudicial in saying that pro-lifers were “extreme conservatives.”
The 2014 March for Life, http://marchforlife.org/ was one of the largest gatherings of life so far in the movement’s history. Yet, Governor Cuomo decided to mark the week up to the March for Life by denouncing pro lifers by saying they have “no place in the state of New York.”
Years ago a nation’s sympathy was aroused for New York; my home state. Divisive comments such as that held by the current Governor squander the good will that non-New Yorkers, a majority of whom are pro-life, have towards the Empire State.
Governor Cuomo, being the in touch politician he is, derided those who may have religious or even non religious objections to abortion, i.e. the pro-lifers. As such people have no place in New York State, perhaps they should join the masses of New Yorkers who have already moved to sunnier pastures due to high taxes, regulation, the strictest gun laws in the country, and pettiness amongst New York politicians.
Two signs stood out amongst the thousands seen yesterday. Chelsea Patterson held up a sign that said adoption a better alternative to abortion and that it saved lives. Her sign closed by saying “It (adoption) saved mine.” There was another sign that was held up by someone who was born because their mother was raped. That person’s sign was also thankful for life, despite being born in the toughest of circumstances.
While there are varying degrees of the pro life movement, it is far better to embrace a movement that celebrates life and believes that all children are special as opposed to a politician such as Cuomo who supports the abhorrent procedure of late term abortion.
This is the most pro life generation in history even if it is not the most traditionally religiously observant generation. The movement will not end but will grow. If Cuomo is correct that pro lifers are extremist conservatives, than liberal NY Republicans such as Nelson Rockefeller, Jacob Javits, Kenneth Keating and Fiorello LaGuardia were merely conservative in his book. The absurdity of Cuomo’s worldview shows why New York is losing electoral votes in every census. He wants reelection, as he drives all others out.
It is also interesting that Governor Cuomo did not mention former NY Democratic Governor Hugh Carey. Sadly Governor Carey passed away a few years ago but he had an amazing story. Governor Carey was a pro choice politician as Governor in the 1970’s. Yet in his elder years, Governor Carey had a deep change of heart and became pro life. This change of heart, especially from such a high ranking political figure, is inspirational. Governor Carey was not a conservative, either. He ran against Governor Rockefeller’s Republican successor. Governor Cuomo’s father, Mario Cuomo, was Governor Carey’s Lieutenant Governor and successor. This is the type of person Andrew Cuomo derided. Interstingly, Governor Cuomo did not see fit to make this statement to Governor Carey while he was alive.
Even with the Governor’s strange comments, the 2014 March for Life was a great success. The people who marched yesterday, despite political differences with Governor Cuomo, are not filled with the bitterness that many of their opponents have. It is their love that is winning over a nation. It is their love that is saving lives. And it is their love that is glad in their hearts that someone such as Governor Cuomo himself was born and not aborted. For all deserve a chance at life and one day even Governor Cuomo may come home.