Dear Rep. Chocola:

We hope that you and your family are well. Unfortunately, many in the world are not due to our actions. Mr. Bush says that he wishes to err on the side of life.

He erred on the side of death by declaring a wrongful war in Iraq and Afghanistan that has caused thousands of innocent peoples’ deaths including over l500 American soldiers, double that amount of Iraqi soldiers and more than l7,000 innocent civilians.

He erred in his post Iraq planning and thousands more will die.

He errs in selling fighter planes to Pakistan. These planes are meant to kill people.

He errs in denying United Nations family planning services to millions of families around the world, and hundreds of thousands of babies, children and women die.

He errs in opposing emergency contraception since more abortions occur without it.

He signs on to life issues only when he thinks it will gain political and money support for him and his party.

A life of one is always important. So are the lives of many. We as a country can do better if we truly err on the side of life.

You have supported many of these erroneous decisions. Where you have opposed them, thank you. Where you vote with the president, we ask that you reconsider.

Thank you.

Ellyn Stecker and Peter Smith for the Michiana Peace and Justice Coalition