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Rothfus voted against family values; Doris Steppe; Beaver County Times; October 8, 2014.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“I am dismayed that our U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus last year voted against the final Violence Against Women Act. Yes, he voted for the weaker House version, then voted against the one that was signed into law.”
[RWC] According to LinkedIn and a dead NOW link, it appears Ms. Steppe works or worked for the National Organization for Women (NOW). Take a look at Ms. Steppe’s Facebook page and you find nothing but leftist/feminist content.
“Protecting all women from domestic violence or assault, wherever they are, at home, at work, in college, or in the military, is surely a nonpartisan issue that everyone should support.”
[RWC] You’ll find “all women” means “all leftist women” to NOW. Have you noticed NOW’s silence regarding the personal attacks on Sharon Angle, Michelle Bachman, Christine O’Donnell, Sarah Palin, Ann Romney, and other Republican women?
If you’re familiar with its history, you know if NOW believed in truth in advertising, it would change its name to the National Organization for Leftist Women. For example, in the early to mid-1990s, numerous claims of sexual misconduct were made against Sen. Bob Packwood (R-OR). NOW launched attacks to get Mr. Packwood expelled from the Senate. The Senate Ethics Committee unanimously recommended expulsion and Mr. Packwood resigned soon after in 1995.
Contrast the Packwood scandal with how NOW reacted to the various allegations of sexual misconduct against President Bill Clinton (D), including the Monica Lewinsky affair.
The Lewinsky affair especially was the textbook example of a powerful, male superior taking advantage of a young, female subordinate, one of the very things NOW complained about for years. NOW responses to the various Clinton scandals ranged from silence to outright defense of Mr. Clinton. In one press release, NOW commented, “Consensual sex with a White House intern is an abuse of power by the president; but consensual sex is not illegal harassment and it is not an impeachable offense. Nor is it in the best interest of our country for the president to resign.” Translation: “Move along, nothing to see here.” In some cases, NOW implied allegations were “right-wing” fabrications. The stained blue dress eliminated all doubt.
“Rep. Rothfus has consistently said he supports family values, but when the time came to put those values into action he failed miserably. Why would he vote ‘no’ to the health and safety of our mothers?! Our daughters? Our sisters? Why would he vote ‘no’ to the Violence Against Women Act? It’s a huge vote against family values.”
[RWC] Here is Rep. Rothfus’ press release on this topic (2/28/13). “Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after voting for the House language reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.
“‘It is important to prevent and prosecute violence against women,’ said Rothfus. ‘The bill that I voted for today increases oversight and ensures that funds actually go to prosecuting perpetrators and providing much-needed services to victims.’
“‘Unfortunately, the Senate bill raises constitutional questions and could deprive certain Americans of Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights. Without the opportunity for the House Judiciary Committee to conduct hearings on the Senate bill, I could not support it.’
“The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S. 47) passed the House by a vote of 286-138. The House version of the bill failed by a vote of 166-257. S.47 now goes to the President for his signature.”
“I’m voting for Erin McClelland for U.S. Congress in November.”
[RWC] I’m shocked! <g> Just one look at her Facebook page leads me to believe Ms. Steppe would almost never vote for a non-leftist candidate, whether female or male.
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