I know that principles are “out” these days and pragmatism is all the rage. And when it comes to horse trading on government projects that’s just the way it’s done. But for some time it’s been clear to me that this “common ground” strategy signaled that the Democratic Party had decided that abortion rights are a second tier issue, subject to negotiation and compromise for political purposes, and that just isn’t acceptable. Appointing someone who is anti-choice and anti-birth control to head an office that will dispense millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS and family planning reinforces that view. The Religious Industrial Complex is a Trojan horse and it’s inside the gates.