Planned Parenthood: Mission, Services, and Political Stance

Question
QUESTION: Hi Tom,
Can you tell about the organization Planned Parenthood, please? I am confused as to their views and ideals and all this pro-choice lingo is even more confusing.
I would like to know, especially, their view for the future.
Thanks.

ANSWER: Alexis,
Planned Parenthood is the US's (and I believe the world's) largest abortion-provider.  They also provide counseling services and especially promote the use of contraception.  They are very active politically and contribute to PAC funds.  Planned Parenthood also receives tax-payer funding in relation to their contraception promotion.  Let me know if you have a specific area or areas you want more information, what I gave you is pretty general.  Oh, one note, the Alan Guttmacher Institute, AGI, is their statistical wing.  An excellent source of information if you are pro-life (it's very biased towards pro-choice, so you can't get a better source in a debate in my humble opinion).

Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the information. I would really like to know about the abortions provided by Planned Parenthood. I am 100% against abortions (not pro-life all the way, per-say, but definitely against abortions). I take it they provide abortions for all women, reguardless of other factors like rape and incest. How involved in politics is this organization?
And what do you mean by "An excellent source of information if you are pro-life"? Where can I find information about Planned Parenthood?

Thank you so much for your time.
-Alexis

Answer
For the political side, they are almost entirely the donors for pro-choice along with Emily's list (of which they are a major contributor).  Opensecrets.org is a great website to look up information.  Here is the pro-choice donations http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.asp?cycle=2006&ind=Q15
and here is the pro-life http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.asp?cycle=2006&ind=Q14  Planned Parenthood uses "Action Funds" usually to donate money, for Ohio, this website lists some of their usual activity http://www.ppao.org/images/about_PPAO.htm  Also

As for the AGI, you can get almost all their information on their website, www.guttmacher.org

Hope this information helps and let me know if I can assist you further.