To the editor:

Released by the Minnesota Department of Health, the news from July’s annual abortion report is tragic.  Abortions increased 5-percent overall (to 14,065) and a startling 16 percent for minor girls.  Why?

Planned Parenthood performed more abortions than ever in 2006 — 21 percent more! The state abortion total rose by 700; Planned Parenthood increased its total by 645, capturing nearly all of the increase.

After Planned Parenthood’s first “express” mall clinic opened in June 2006, its monthly abortion totals increased significantly.  These clinics target young women and make referrals for abortions.  Suddenly, the astonishing rate increase for minor girls seems not so surprising.

Planned Parenthood opposes requiring children as young as 12 years old to have their parents involved in contraceptive decisions. Rep. Tom Anzelc voted to deny parents this involvement (House Journal pp. 6700-6701).

History has proven that when you fund organizations that advocate for abortion, it results in more abortions. That’s why Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life sought to deny such grants to abortion-performing organizations. Rep. Anzelc voted against this common sense amendment (HJ pp. 4309-4310).

Additionally, Rep. Anzelc opposed an amendment to stop tax dollars from funding abortions (HJ pp. 4075-4076). Each year Minnesota taxpayers spend over $1 million on abortion. For Planned Parenthood, abortion isn’t just a morally acceptable “choice” — it’s an industry from which to profit. 

With legislators like Rep. Anzelc in office, casting vote after vote in support of abortion, the human toll continues to climb. Every abortion is a tragedy. I wish Planned Parenthood and Rep. Anzelc agreed.  

Leo LaLonde

President

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life