Staff Reports
A pro-life group has decided it’s time to pick a fight with Planned Parenthood over what is being described as the biggest slap-in-the-face to nonprofit ethics since someone tried to fund a new wing for the IRS with bake sales. The organization filed a complaint with the IRS after Planned Parenthood set up shop at the Democratic National Convention and offered free abortions and vasectomies. This stunt is being labeled as an open endorsement for the Democratic Party—something that clearly steps on the toes of their nonprofit status.
Taking its mobile health clinic to the DNC, Planned Parenthood was practically giving away these procedures like one would give out candy at a Halloween parade. One can only assume the intention was to drum up support for Democrats while they were at it. But some critics argue that this is less about health care and more about political theater—an ambitious tactic that could backfire and turn into the straw that breaks the nonprofit’s back when the IRS comes to town.
Planned Parenthood is offering mobile abortions outside the DNC, and we’re not standing by. We’ve filed an IRS complaint to hold them accountable. This assault on life and misuse of taxpayer dollars ends NOW⚠️ pic.twitter.com/aKkdXqWC3J
— 40 Days for Life (@40daysforlife) August 21, 2024
The leader of the pro-life group involved in the complaint pointed out that Planned Parenthood, by doing this, is violating what should be a fundamental rule for nonprofits. Leveraging a major political event to hand out free procedures is certainly taking “get out the vote” initiatives to a whole new level. Perhaps someone should remind Planned Parenthood that while they are masters of health care, they seem to be flunking out of the class on ethical fundraising and adherence to tax laws.
The irony doesn’t stop there. Coming on the heels of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Democrats have made abortive rights their rallying cry, claiming Republicans want to federally ban abortions. This situation is giving a new flavor to the campaign: instead of focusing solely on policies, Democrats might want to consider how ambitious actions like this could be perceived as a political circus act rather than a sophisticated platform.
And while this fiasco unfolds, there will undoubtedly be some loud murmuring about what the Democratic National Committee was really thinking. One commentator referred to it as sending a “goofy message.” If goofy means offering free abortions at a convention, then the Democrats have officially set a new standard for political messaging—one that is both jarring and, frankly, a little desperate as they gear up for the November elections.
