Five years ago, congresswoman Susan Wild distanced herself from a population control group that has called for families to be “taxed to the hilt” for “irresponsible breeding.” But the Pennsylvania Democrat has quietly restored ties to the organization and praised it for “thoughtful and relentless advocacy” on the abortion issue.
Wild delivered a keynote address in April for Population Connection, an advocacy group launched by Paul Ehrlich, a controversial activist who has said abortion is a “highly effective weapon in the armory of population control.” Population Connection, formerly known as Zero Population Growth, has urged government funding for abortion and asserted that “irresponsible people who have more than two children should be taxed to the hilt for the privilege of irresponsible breeding.”
Wild praised Population Connection’s “incredibly important” work in a virtual chat from her home, a far cry from last year while she conducted an interview from behind the wheel of a fast-moving car.
Wild’s affiliation with Population Connection has caused her political headaches before. In August 2018, she deleted a social media post thanking Population Connection for its endorsement after backlash over the group’s advocacy for abortion and population control. Wild’s campaign at the time said the endorsement was a “distraction” from her campaign.
Wild, who narrowly won her race last year, acknowledged in her keynote speech that she represents “one of the more challenging Democratic districts in Pennsylvania.” The congresswoman attributed her win to Democrats mobilized by the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. “I can attribute many wins of Democratic incumbents, including myself, in part to the Dobbs decision,” she said.
In touting Population Connection, Wild backs a group that aims to spread its pro-abortion, pro-population control message to K-12 and college students across the country. The group says it develops “K-12 curricula and secondary education materials for teachers and professors so they can easily incorporate population studies into their classes.” Last month it hosted an event to help “teachers in classrooms across the U.S. teach their students about population and the upcoming 8 billion milestone.”
A major part of Population Connection’s message is that abortion will help maintain low birth rates, which it argues will help the environment and curbs climate change. It recently hosted an event, “Low Birth Rates: Good for the Planet, Good for People,” that asserted “economists and governments are needlessly panicking” over declining birth rates. The group criticized Twitter owner Elon Musk for warning about “population collapse” due to low birth rates. “His claims are deeply wrong and risk fueling reproductive rights violations,” the group said.
Ehrlich, who has made numerous failed predictions of the Earth’s demise, has asserted that a population of 2 billion people is ideal for the planet. He’s advocated for abortion and compulsory sterilization to meet those goals. He has floated the idea of adding “temporary sterilants to water supplies or staple food” to attain population control in the United States. In his 1968 tome, Population Bomb, Ehrlich called for “sterilizing all Indian males with three or more children” with support from the American government.
Ehrlich’s wife and co-author, Anne Ehrlich, has contributed $1,200 to Wild’s campaign since 2020, according to campaign finance reports. Population Connection’s political action committee has contributed $13,000 to her campaign since 2019.
Wild’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
How does Rep. Wild’s endorsement of Population Connection and its advocacy for taxing families for “irresponsible breeding” affect her support among conservative voters in her district
H rates and control population growth. The organization believes that by promoting access to and funding for abortion, it can effectively reduce the number of births and ensure sustainable population levels. This perspective aligns with Paul Ehrlich’s views, who serves as the president of Population Connection.
However, it is important to note that Rep. Wild’s association with Population Connection has drawn criticism, particularly from those who oppose abortion. The congresswoman’s previous distancing from the organization in light of backlash indicates that she is aware of the controversial nature of its advocacy for population control and government-funded abortion.
Rep. Wild’s decision to deliver a keynote address for Population Connection and praise its advocacy on the abortion issue raises questions about her stance on population control and reproductive rights. While she may receive support from Democrats who share her views, her affiliation with an organization that calls for taxing families for “irresponsible breeding” may alienate conservative voters in her district.
Moreover, the fact that Rep. Wild conducted a virtual chat from her home to endorse Population Connection is in stark contrast to her previous appearance conducting an interview while driving a car. This change in behavior may indicate a shift towards a more cautious approach due to potential criticism or backlash.
It is essential to evaluate the impact of Rep. Wild’s affiliation with Population Connection on her political career. While she narrowly won her race last year, her association with an organization that promotes abortion and population control may sway some conservative voters in her district away from supporting her in future elections. However, for Democrats who prioritize reproductive rights and population control, Rep. Wild’s endorsement of Population Connection may be seen as a positive and necessary step.
As Rep. Wild represents a challenging Democratic district, her acknowledgment of the role that the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision played in her victory highlights the importance of key issues like abortion and reproductive rights in her constituency. By positioning herself as a supporter of Population Connection, Rep. Wild is appealing to voters who prioritize these issues and their impact on the demographics of the country.
In conclusion, Rep. Susan Wild’s restoration of ties with Population Connection and her praise for the organization’s advocacy on the abortion issue raises concerns and invites questions about her stance on population control and reproductive rights. While she may receive support from Democrats who share her views, her alignment with an organization that advocates for taxing families for ”irresponsible breeding” may alienate conservative voters in her district. As she represents a challenging Democratic district, it is important to consider the impact of her affiliation with Population Connection on her political career and future elections.
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