Republicans Want To Get Government Out Of Our Lives*

Filed in National by on October 13, 2009

*exceptions may apply

Oklahoma is perhaps the wingnuttiest state in the union. This is the state that has elected geniuses like James Inhofe and Tom Coburn to the U.S. Senate. So, it’s probably no surprise that Oklahoma is leading the way in finding new ways to shame and punish women who have unapproved sex.

On Nov. 1, a law in Oklahoma will go into effect that will collect personal details about every single abortion performed in the state and post them on a public website. Implementing the measure will “cost $281,285 the first year and $256,285 each subsequent year.” Here are the first eight questions that women will have to reveal:

1. Date of abortion
2. County in which abortion performed
3. Age of mother
4. Marital status of mother
(married, divorced, separated, widowed, or never married)
5. Race of mother
6. Years of education of mother
(specify highest year completed)
7. State or foreign country of residence of mother
8. Total number of previous pregnancies of the mother
Live Births
Miscarriages
Induced Abortions

I don’t see how they can get around federal medical privacy protection laws like HIPAA. The proponents of the law say it’s o.k. because the women’s names aren’t published. But as many have pointed out, it certainly wouldn’t be difficult to figure out the identity of some women, especially those who live in small towns.

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Opinionated chemist, troublemaker, blogger on national and Delaware politics.

Comments (19)

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  1. anon says:

    Republicans want businesses like banks and insurance companies unregulated and the general public at the mercy of big government oversight.

  2. Exactly anon. Republicans don’t want any checks on the ability for big business to screw us over.

  3. Dave M. says:

    They forgot an item:

    9. Date you ‘tapped shoes’ with GOP Senator in men’s bathroom at airport.

  4. Geezer says:

    UI: GOP motto to Big Bidness: “Thank you, sir, may I have another?”

  5. Another Mike says:

    Will they be asking the same questions of people who have plastic surgery? “Is this your first boob job, ma’am?” There seems to be no rationalization for this except to discourage and shame people.

  6. A. price says:

    and to give their terrorist hordes of insane wingnuts a target list for their violence.
    public website? with an issue that drives its opponents to murder?
    this is a bit scary

  7. Exactly Mike and A. This medical procedure is being treated differently than other medical procedures, which is a big problem. There is already discrimination since it won’t be covered by the new government insurance option. I agree, A., this list saves time people with misplaced passion and too much time on their hands. They don’t even have to bother with harassing them at clinics.

  8. Jacob Wilder says:

    LIBERALS CAN’T COMPETE IN THE REAL WORLD…THEY HAVE TO SURVIVE IN THE SAFETY OF THE GOVERNMENT WOMB…PATHETIC !!!!!!

  9. Donviti says:

    And the bankers on Walls Street like to as well.

    oh and farmers likey the safety net too

    I’m sure I’m leaving off other groups that most likely include R’s

  10. pandora says:

    Pathetic: People that type in all caps.

  11. liberalgeek says:

    Oh, and Jacob, I will beat your ass in any real world competition. Hit and run cowboy.

  12. Von Cracker says:

    I guess Europe isn’t competing. Who knew?

  13. Dave M. says:

    When they type in caps its like they’re yelling.

  14. RSmitty says:

    When they type in caps its like they’re yelling.
    naah, i’ve heard men who type in all caps are really covering up for their small penises. lower-case is where it’s at.

  15. Donviti says:

    you are so wrong smitty

  16. Harvey Firestein says:

    DO BOLD ITALICS CAPS MEAN YOU’RE A GHEY CONSERVATIVE?

  17. RSmitty says:

    that’s true, dv, you are using lower-case, but it’s obviously the obligatory exception that makes the rule, so thanks for clarifying. nice touch on the bold, though.

  18. Donviti says:

    von Cracker,

    spain isn’t….18% u/e and going to 20

  19. Progressive Mom says:

    This law has no point but to help identify women and harass them.

    Amazing.

    I think the women in Oklahoma ought to campaign for a new law: to get the same information from any person who enters a strip club, Hooters and sex toy shop in Oklahoma.

    We’ll all be especially interested in that “county” and “marital status” information…