“A far-reaching anti-choice bill, introduced by Republican Chris Smith and supported by 173 members of the House, includes a provision that could redefine rape in the realm of federal funding for reproductive health care.
Right now, federal dollars can't be used for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the woman's life is in danger. But the Smith bill would narrow that use to "cases of 'forcible' rape but not statutory or coerced rape."
As far too many women know, bruises and broken bones do not define rape - a lack of consent does. Please sign the petition today.”
-Taken from MoveOn.Org 
No matter your views on a woman’s right to choose, “redefining rape” to limit the amount of federal money being spent on abortions is a malicious assault against women and our personal health decisions. Please sign the online petition on MoveOn.org’s website. They will forward it to your state and local representatives. This is scary stuff ladies (and the men who love them)!
The argument that's being used here is the 'My tax being used to fund abortions'. And that the central drift is that all Federal Funding be removed eventually.
ReplyDeleteThis is of course a ridiculous argument. For since when does the taxpayer individually decide how the Government spends.
But it will set a precedent that's wider than this issue alone. And one that needs to examination by SCOTUS
Most of the right's arguments these days are ridiculous. It's interesting how they are so against government intrusion unless it has to do with the personal health decisions of women and other minorities. The last thing I want is some rich white guy hopped up on viagra (paid for by government money mind you) to decide if I've been raped or not.
ReplyDeleteIt's a profound error to lump this issue with the right/left dichotomy. Not everyone on the right are 'anti', nor the left 'pro'.
ReplyDeleteMy point is that this issue will be brought down in much the same way as 'R v W'. By that I mean obliquely. For head on it will be lost.
You are in a very profound war at the moment. And you are amateurs by comparison to the 24/7/365 the opposition are devoting.
Yes, sweeping generalizations are unfair. However, if you look at their current or recent platforms (repeal of health care bill, being against the repeal of don't ask don't tell, denying climate change, redefining rape, and even whether our President is a US citizen) it's hard for me not to use the word ridiculous. Unfortunately, persuing these outlandish issues create a media buzz and we are inundated with them all day long. Therefore the good that is being done is pushed aside. The US is falling apart, and in some places has already done so, that I have no guilt making a blanket statement like that. The issues that are important to most of us (not radical conservatives or radical liberals)aren't being dealt with. Now I must go prepare for a classroom full of 7 year olds...far too many 7 year olds to really be making a difference because education funding has been cut dramatically. Whilst government (whichever side)is flittering about with the ridiculous.
ReplyDelete