Never mind that this probably won’t pass… yet. The writing is on the wall, and it doesn’t have a single thing to do with abortion (Hello, Hyde Amendment). But given the rampant ignorance and stupidity within the Republican Party we really need to send a message.
Via WSJ:
The Senate will vote as early as Monday on a bill to strip Planned Parenthood of federal funding, a largely symbolic vote causing pain for centrists in both parties and drawing fire from conservatives who say it won’t satisfy their quest to put the organization out of business.
The bill isn’t expected to garner the 60 votes needed to advance, as nearly all Democrats object to it. Its defeat, however, won’t end the effort to cut off federal money for Planned Parenthood.
When you consider the Hyde Amendment, you need to ask yourself, what is the real agenda of the GOP? The correct answer is that The War on Women continues. This is really about contraception… and women who have the ability to have an enjoy sex (a mythical creature in GOP land, among GOP men and women – which is really sad.) without the fear of pregnancy.
Let’s dissect the language:
At a press conference today, Ernst and eight other senators — : Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Senator and presidential wannabe Rand Paul, Tim Scott of South Carolina, John Cornyn of Texas, John Thune of South Dakota, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Johnny Isakson of Georgia, James Lankford of Oklahoma — said that the women who use Planned Parenthood would have no trouble finding somewhere else to go.
“Women who do actually have legitimate healthcare needs other than abortion are taken care of in this legislation,” Cornyn said. “It will actually increase women’s access to primary care.”
“What we’d like to see,” added Ernst, “are those dollars being directed to hospitals, community health centers that offer women’s healthcare alternatives.”
“Legitimate healthcare needs?” Legitimate???? Alternatives… to what? Oh, I know the answer.
Remember when Rick Santorum let the cat out of the bag?
“One of the things I will talk about, that no president has talked about before, is I think the dangers of contraception in this country.” And also, “Many of the Christian faith have said, well, that’s okay, contraception is okay. It’s not okay. It’s a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.”
Sexual realm? Bet he’s a tiger in bed! And now this position is pretty much Republican gospel. This isn’t about abortion, it’s about access to birth control – you know, something Republican men support for their mistresses, but not for their wives. (Same goes for abortion, btw.)
I am so over this. I spent over a decade of my life relying on Planned Parenthood – as did most women. If you agree, then it’s time to open your wallets and donate. And if you don’t agree with me (and many supposedly liberal/progressive men don’t consider this a “real” issue, because women issues, for some reason, don’t count as the “real” economy. Wonder why?) then my guess is that you’re a “older” man who doesn’t think this impacts you.
Go ahead and donate. Your sons and daughters will thank you.