"I live pro life every day." Melanie Madeira

I went to my first political rally last night . . . (that is if you don't consider the vehement speeches in history class during the Kennedy-Nixon campaign in 1960 as official political fire branding).

Voting faithfully in every election and one stint as a juror have been my nod to civic responsibility
 . . . (that is if you don't consider my commitment to recycling and collecting litter).

I make this admission with remorse, for every day now I see and hear of the denigration of our culture and the encroaching extremist terror. I realize that our freedoms and the integrity of our country truly may be disintegrating. I love my life on Layton. I value that life for my children and grandchildren. It is long past time that I should become actively involved in the political process.

So . . . I went to my first political rally. I expected free food and loud music. I expected political promises, usually empty and unfulfilled. I expected generic talk about keeping America free.

What I didn't expect was inspiration.

The candidate was Melanie Madeira who is running for state representative in the 114th district in Pennsylvania against Sid Michaels Kavulich. I was impressed and persuaded. I stand ready to support Melanie.

Melanie Madeira, candidate for state representative
in the 114th District.

A candidate's pro-life conviction is an integral factor. A pro-life conviction is not just about saving the lives of the unborn. It is about putting value on every individual's life, whether that individual is still in the womb or whether the individual has a diminished mental capacity or whether that person can contribute to society or whether the individual is treading the edge of life at 95.

God created life, and for that reason alone it has value . . . at any age and in any condition. 

"I live pro life every day, " Melanie stated. She and her husband, Dave Madeira of the talk radio program, the Dave Madeira Show, from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. on 94.3, are parents to six children. Melanie has home schooled the children since they began school.

One of their children, Nicholas, has Down's syndrome. Just two days ago Nicky thought it was Christmas and proceeded to wind an entire roll of electrical tape up the stair railing. Living with a special needs child is not easy, but to the Madeiras, every individual matters. Nicky matters, and God will use him in a special way . . . just wait and see.

Dave and Melanie Madeira with their six children.

I have lived in a culture that does not value individual life, a culture that is not pro life, and I have seen how that belief system can direct a government and its policies. I have lived in China.

China routinely practices abortion on women who have already had their sole child. One woman I met had ten abortions. Special education classes are not provided in public schools. Children who cannot pass the mandatory national testing may not enter high school. Nursing homes are not a routine option for the elderly. Life does not carry a high price tag. Life is dispensable.

Government policies reflect this lack of value on the individual. If  you cannot perform, if you cannot contribute, if you haven't earned the right, you are dispensable.

In contrast, America was founded on the rights of the individual because of the God-ordained value of the individual. I am so glad that I live in America (I might not qualify as worthy in another culture!). 

So the candidate, who is willing to put value on each person and is willing to LIVE pro life, is the candidate for me.

Melanie also speaks wisdom, based on our individual rights as valued people, about the Second Amendment, the tax burden on the elderly, education spending, energy development, and jobs. She can be believed because she lives what she believes. 

Vote this November. Vote for the basic tenet of life . . . you are a creation of God. You have value.