Vote NO on 4
Big money to change Florida's Constitution, is the Sunshine State on its way to become an abortion tourist destination?
After the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the protection of the unborn suffered a setback with with the enactment of extreme versions of pro-abortion legislation in several states. As highlighted in the recent presidential debate, the issue remains contentious, with Democrats leveraging it to appeal to progressive voters, particularly women.
The next significant battleground is Florida, where a constitutional amendment, Amendment 4, will be on the ballot in November. To get an amendment on the ballot, at least 850,000 signatures are required. Under the sponsorship of Floridians Protecting Freedom, and with financial backing from groups like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and the Open Society Foundations, $15 million was spent on gathering these signatures. If passed, Amendment 4 would transform Florida from being one of the most life affirming states to what will rapidly become an abortion tourist destination.
Ballot Title: Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion
Ballot Summary: No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the legislature's constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.
To the average conservative voter, the language appears reasonable … but it was clearly crafted to be intentionally deceptive. Let me explain. Unlike most ballot initiatives, NONE of Amendment 4’s operative terms - like "government interference”, “viability”, “patient’s health”, or “healthcare provider”- are defined.
This amendment would allow doctors to be removed from the decision-making process by not requiring an actual medical doctor to determine if an abortion is necessary. Instead, anyone who is a healthcare provider could make these determinations, such as a chiropractor, psychiatrist, or even employees of abortion clinics, who are not doctors.
Under current law, abortion is allowed to prevent serious and permanent harm to the mother. However, this amendment's health exception could be stretched to cover routine pregnancy-related conditions, such as headaches or temporary mental stress, allowing for more abortions on broader grounds, some of which are normal in every pregnancy.
Most deceptively, by replacing parental consent with parental notification, Amendment 4 makes abortion the only surgical procedure that a minor could undergo without parental involvement or consent. When high schoolers can't even take a Tylenol without a parent’s note, this life affecting and consequential decision would repeal parental consent laws in Florida.
Finally, the amendment would permit late term abortions, when the baby is capable of feeling pain, and right up to the moment of birth, with no protections for the unborn.
Because of intentionally deceptive language, voters would not know the effect of what they're voting on, causing years of litigation and legal uncertainty, as has been observed in other states, such as Ohio and Michigan. Moreover, it would open up the state to taxpayer funded elective abortions and the lack of regulations would likely cause an explosion in human trafficking activity and the surge of unregulated clinics that may be lacking in good clinical practices and healthcare standards.
To pass, the amendment requires 60% of the vote. If it is not soundly defeated, its sponsors may return in future years to push for more expansive abortion rights in Florida.
Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida’s leadership are deeply opposed to and concerned about Amendment 4, and rightly so, as similar initiatives passed in Michigan, California, Vermont, and Ohio, while pro-life bills in Kansas and Kentucky were recently defeated. Polls show that 56% of Florida voters support Amendment 4, while 23% have not made up their minds.
It is expected that 11 million voters will turn out in the general election, 4.1 million votes would defeat this amendment. Sixty-seven percent of Florida’s citizens identify as people of faith; however, voter turnout in the primaries was an average of 19% statewide. Unfortunately, many Christians are not registered to vote. In fact, when this situation is presented in churches and advocates urge parishioners to register to vote, they quickly walk away, seemingly in shame, because they are not registered.
This amendment needs 60% of the vote to pass. Should it become enshrined in Florida’s Constitution, it will be the most extreme pro-abortion law and our generation will likely never see it repealed. If pastors engaged in the political process and urged their congregations to vote according to biblical principles, Amendment 4 would be resoundingly defeated. Unfortunately, the church has abdicated its responsibility to shepherd its flock, instead pandering to the fear of losing its tax-exempt status (no church has lost it for engaging in political advocacy).
As the threat of communism veiled in socialism looms over this country, may we remember that politics affect policy, and policy impacts people. This radical bill will affect countless souls, both mothers and their babies. Where are the preachers, and why are they not using their pulpits? Oh, good men of God, where art thou? Storing your earthly treasures by counting your membership and tithes? What souls have you saved, or allowed to perish?
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Please watch this video and show it to your friends in Florida:
To learn more: Amendment 4 – Not What it Seems – Way Too Extreme
Heavenly Father,
Provide discernment to the voters of Florida to see the perils and deceptions that seek to undermine the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. Guide us to be protectors of the vulnerable, to honor the unborn, and to care for the weak and elderly. Give us courage to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves, and to act in ways that affirm Your love and purpose for every human soul.
Lord, we pray for wisdom and courage from our church and religious leaders. May they use the pulpit to preach about how politics affect laws, policies, and the future of our country.
Strengthen the hands of those who work to defend life, especially during the days leading up to the election. Grant us peace, knowing that You are sovereign over all things.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
What paid supporters are saying about Praying Mantis:
"Your writing is action oriented, your personal story is a story of triumph! Your Legislative priorities should be used through out the Nation! You may be the most diligent person I have ever read. Everything you, Teach, because your are a Teacher, we, myself especially, need as a nation! We are lucky to have you and I will do my best to start to better focus before it is too late for our nation. "
"Your values are centered on Judeo Christian beliefs. We are at a pivotal time in our history and you show a path forward that aligns with my values."
"I like your perspective on what is happening in our country based on your own personal experiences. You are an insightful thinker and writer. Now if only the sleepers would wake up!"
Although Dr. Zelenko has passed, the company he created lives on. I highly recommend his supplements, click on this link to get at 15% discount and support my work:
Vote NO on 4 sign in my front driveway on a major road. Spreading the word and voting NO! Thank you for all your great writings and truths.