Letter responds to local Democratic party chair’s column regarding VAWA vote

STAFF REPORT

Monday, April 8, 2013 — Editor’s Note: The Nelson County Gazette received a copy of letter sent in response to a guest column by Margie Bradford that was critical of Republicans who voted against the revised Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Bradford is chair of the Nelson County Democratic Party. Here’s a link for those who subscribe to the newspaper and wish to review her column.

To the Editor:

Leaders of the Democratic Party have loudly denounced Republicans who questioned or declined to support the re-authorization of VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), accusing them of repressing women and other groups that that bill claims to protect.

But critics of the bill raised valid objections regarding its effectiveness and some of its provisions. While proponents claim that domestic violence rates have dropped since the implementation of VAWA in 1994, overall crime rates (of which domestic violence crimes are a subset) have also dropped. A popular study touted by liberals favoring the bill (conducted by the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women) claims to show the effectiveness of the legislation; however, a 2002 report from the Government Accountability Office expressed concerns about “problematic” methodologies in the evaluations of the VAWA’s effectiveness.

The bill guarantees very few civil liberties for accused perpetrators (male or female). The VAWA’s language is frequently interpreted to treat perpetrators as guilty parties. What happened to the ideas of due process and presumption of innocence?

Washington lawmakers regularly rush to rubberstamp bills featuring “women” in their titles because it is politically safe, but the VAWA needed more evaluation before being re-authorized. The final House vote of 286-138 reflects the concern felt over this legislation, which will cost taxpayers an estimated $3.3 billion dollars over five years.

It could be argued that portions of the bill are good and useful. But it should be pointed out that Senators McConnell and Paul, along with Congressmen Guthrie and Massie voted against the measure with good judgment, particularly where Constitutional rights and measurable impact on the decrease in domestic violence are concerned.

Finally, before claiming moral high ground on women’s issues, Democratic party leaders need to reconsider a radically extreme party tenant which endorses taxpayer-funded abortion-on-demand. How can the Democrat Party claim credence with women’s rights issues while sanctioning the multi-million dollar abortion industry, exploiting women facing unplanned pregnancies, and insisting on the dehumanization of unborn baby girls?
Amelia Clements
Cox’s Creek, KY 40013

-30-