The rapid-fire rate at which Democrats seem to be pandering to far-left constituencies has left social conservatives next to breathless.
Just this week, Democrats in the U.S. Senate swiftly lined up hearings on a number of objectionable executive and judicial nominees, as well as extreme domestic and international legislation – some that could even fly in the face of the U.S. Constitution.
One of the most troubling hearings was called by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who resurrected the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The move is seen as attempt to move the treaty – for the first time – to the Senate floor for a vote.
FULL-COURT (FEMINIST) PRESS
CEDAW was first introduced in 1979 at the United Nations. To date, 186 of 193 nations have ratified the treaty. The holdouts are: The U.S., Iran, Quatar, Somalia, Sudan and four Asian Pacific or Central Asian countries.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – who coined the phrase in the 1990′s: "Human rights are women's rights, and women's rights are human rights" – is one of the staunchest proponents of seeing this feminist treaty passed.
To that end, the Obama administration became the first one since 1980 to submit the treaty to the Senate for ratification. Previous administrations have steadfastly resisted the liberal push – and for good reason, according to social conservatives.
SEEING THROUGH CEDAW
Conservative groups – including CitizenLink – have long opposed this treaty and are alarmed at the brazenness of the administration and Senate Democrats to push this legislation during the lame-duck session.
Ashley Horne, federal issues analyst for CitizenLink, said that despite a few laudable declarations used to "dress up" the treaty, the underlying intent is both shrewd and destructive to national sovereignty, the institution of marriage, family formation and religious freedom.
"One of the core – and evil – elements of this treaty is to systematically remove any gender distinction in all aspects of society." Horne said. "This would not only impact marriage, child-rearing, and religious freedom, but also the laws governing these foundational institutions."
Horne warned that, if fully implemented, CEDAW would be the greatest foreign intrusion ever into the government and military relations and policies, as well as that of every person, business and community.
She added that there are basically 10 main reasons that every Christian – every American –should be aware of:
Its foundational principle is erroneous
1. It violates the U.N. Charter
2. It violates the U.S. Constitution
3. It imposes pressure illegally on the U.S. to implement quota systems for elections and government offices
4. It would be more harmful to women than beneficial
5. It would harm children
6. It would attack and destroy healthy roles for men and women
7. It would harm marriage, families and religious freedoms
8. It would be used to promote abortion
9. It could be used to pressure the U.S. to legalize prostitution
Click here to read full explanations
The Heritage Foundation maintains the U.S. can do better.
"Unfortunately, much of the agenda and activities that comprise the (treaty) is, at best, a distraction from the real threats to women's human rights and, at worst, antithetical to the values and needs of women worldwide.
"To better elevate the status of women and girls, especially in places where they are most vulnerable, the U.S. should reject much of the (CEDAW) agenda and instead reinvigorate its efforts to promote and defend the universally accepted human rights of women and men around the world."
Contact: Catherine Snow
Source: CitizenLink
Publish Date: November 18, 2010
