Spending Records "Shattered" by Cloning Supporter

From the Post-Dispatch

Proponents of Missouri constitutional amendment to protect embryonic stem cell research have broken every record on political spending for statewide races, with one billionaire couple bankrolling nearly all of the $28.7 million campaign.

That total price tag is staggering when compared to even the most expensive campaigns in Missouri history. The stem cell campaign is already more than twice as costly as any campaign for a Missouri ballot measure.

The amount spent by proponents of the stem cell measure is greater that the total spent by all candidates combined in any race to date for statewide office, including governor or U.S. senator.
. . .
More than 97 percent of the money, or $28 million, has come from Jim and Virginia Stowers, founders of American Century mutual funds. After surviving cancer, the two donated more than $1.5 billion to form the Stowers Institute, which seeks to find cures for disease through stem cell research.

Altruism and philanthropy at its finest, yes?

...opponents of the stem cell measure say the couple have attempted to buy a constitutional amendment.

Now, why on earth would they think such a thing? Maybe it's the simple facts as outlined above...

Jaci Winship, of the group Missourians Against Human Cloning, said the Stowerses have perverted the ballot measure process, which she said ought to be about public participation.

And what does the Stowers Institute stand to gain from the passage of Amendment 2? 1) Unrestricted access to public taxpayer dollars since private investors are unwilling to particpate in such enterprises, and 2) patent rights, should any immoral and unethical research ever yield any positive developments.

"This isn't even close to David and Goliath," said George Connor, an associate professor of political science at Missouri State University. "I can't even come up with a good metaphor."

Which is why we must do all we can in prayer, reparations, talking with neighbors, contributing financially to Missourians Against Human Cloning and so on. We can not do this ourselves but with God all things are possible. We must pray the Rosary daily! We are in desperate need of our Lord's help and mercy.