Singer/songwriter Gretchen Peters is citing hypocrisy on reproductive health issues and the use of her song, "Independence Day" by the McCain-Palin campaign as reason to donate royalties from the song to Planned Parenthood, in Sarah Palin's name. The song was a 1994 hit for country and western music legend Martina McBride. Here is a link to the video, unfortunately the embed code has been disabled. From the press release:
When the GOP used "Independence Day" to usher Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin to the stage after the debate in St. Louis, Peters realized the party was truly perverting the chorus of her composition to suit their agenda and it was high time for Peters to make her feelings known."Independence Day," written by Peters, was a hit for country singer Martina McBride in 1994. The lyrics tell the story of a woman's response to domestic abuse from the point of view of her daughter."The fact that the McCain/Palin campaign is using a song about an abused woman as a rallying cry for their Vice Presidential candidate, a woman who would ban abortion even in cases of rape and incest, is beyond irony," Peters says. "They are co-opting the song, completely overlooking the context and message, and using it to promote a candidate who would set women's rights back decades. I've decided to donate the royalties from 'Independence Day' during this election cycle to Planned Parenthood, in Sarah Palin's name. I hope with the additional income provided by the McCain/Palin campaign, Planned Parenthood will be able to help many more women in need."
On her website Peters says, “I think great songs are born. They
are born with all the urgency of childbirth, born out of pain, anger,
joy, wit, and delivered by instinct, skill and love.”
It is this passion for the song that fuels all facets of a career
that has brought Gretchen Peters to the Grammys twice as a songwriter,
won her a CMA Song Of The Year award for the groundbreaking
"Independence Day", taken her on repeated sold-out tours across the UK
and Ireland, and seen the release of five critically acclaimed albums.
