A kerfluffle has kicked up in the Virginia Legislature over a proposed bill to introduce pro-abortion “Trust Women/Respect Choice” license plates, a response to the “Choose Life” plates legalized last year. Specialty license plates have long been common in many states, and allow individuals to show support for their favorite causes. In addition, part of the proceeds from such plates usually go to support the cause itself. “Choose Life” plates, available in twenty different states, have raised roughly eleven million dollars for crisis pregnancy centers and adoption agencies, according to Life News.com.

While not supporting pro-abortion license plates, one can’t really oppose the idea in principal, free speech after all. But pro-life legislators in Virginia have noted that where the funds raised from such plates actually go, is another matter. While the version of the bill which passed the State Senate contains language directing the proceeds from the “Trust Women/Respect Choice” plates go to Planned Parenthood, pro-life lawmakers in the State House passed an amendment to their bill authorizing the funds from sales go to a state fund for helping women who face unplanned pregnancies.

So…same thing right?

Not according to the pro-abortion side of the isle, who’re a tad bit rankled. One might think that with all the money Planned Parenthood gets anyway every year from donations, fees for services, and government subsidizing, that it maybe the money from the plates isn’t as big a deal for them as money for pro-life crisis pregnancy centers, which tend to be entirely free, staffed by volunteers, and entirely reliant on private donations. Besides, the money would still go to helping pregnant women, which is the ostensible point of the “Trust Women” plates anyhow.

Take a look at Rachel Larris’ post at RH Reality Check:

Planned Parenthood of Virginia is the sponsor of the “Trust Women, Respect Choice” plates for that state and would ostensibly receive money from the sale of the plates to provide services to low-income women, men, and youth seeking basic reproductive and sexual health care, such as family planning, screening for sexually transmitted infections, Pap smears and the like.

Later on, after detailing more of the legislative proceedings, Larris lists information from Guttmacher:

According to the latest statistics from the Guttmacher Institute:

• In Virginia, 846,100 women are in need of contraceptive services and supplies. Of these, 371,640 women need publicly supported contraceptive services because they have incomes below 250% of the federal poverty level (251,710) or are sexually active teenagers (119,930).
• In Virginia, 11% of women aged 15-44 have incomes below the federal poverty level, and 18% of all women in this age-group are uninsured (i.e., do not have private health insurance or Medicaid coverage).

Aye, there’s the rub, an interesting twist on the argument. According to the pro-abortion establishment line, this issue is about contraception, that’s why Planned Parenthood needs the money, for ” basic reproductive and sexual health care, such as family planning, screening for sexually transmitted infections, Pap smears and the like.” (Emphasis added)

But if that’s the case, why “Trust Women/Respect Choice?” Since when did “choice” not mean abortion? There seems to be a disconnect between the slogan used, and the official rationale given. Also, if we are supposed to “Trust Women,” why is Planned Parenthood painting crisis pictures of all the women in Virginia who apparently can’t be trusted to make good decisions for themselves and need the help of benevolent organizations like Planned Parenthood.

I do not mean to demean the plight of women in need in Virginia, nor am I taking a position on contraception (as a pro-lifer, I’d say abortion ranks higher than contraception as an issue of concern. Reasonable, sincere, and devoted pro-lifers can disagree on contraception, no sense rocking the boat.) It just seems that the official pro-abortion line is spinning a nice line to obscure the true issue at stake here, because openly touting abortion just doesn’t sell as well to the general public as they might like us to think.

Ultimately, this may very well be a completely academic issue. While “Choose Life” plates have been very popular everywhere they’ve been authorized, pro-abortion plates haven’t quite flown off the shelves. In Pennsylvania, a grand total of twenty-two peopel have purchased the Planned Parenthood sponsored plate.

It’s even possible one or two of the customer’s don’t even work at a PP clinic.