The day that healthcare providers separated abortion out to clinics from inside hospitals was the day the medical establishment said to women that this is not a protected procedure
Catholic and Baptist hospitals offer little to no reproductive care, and yet they receive federal dollars. They turn away women and men seeking reproductive care. They turn away women needing terminations in dire dire circumstances, never mind the simple elective ones.
Women are still a long way from being first class citizens.
Make every candidate know that you are a women's issues voter. #rachelmaddow
I'm sorry, I know it's totally selfish, but my gut reaction is health care reform without comprehensive women's health care is not health care reform. What, are we going to go back to the whole, "Pregnancy prevention is the woman's responsibility?" Oh, wait. There are still a ton of people who think that way. :head-desk:
I've said it once, I'll say it again. Time for the straight women of the US to go all Lysistrata until everyone can acknowledge that women are people, which means issues specific to our gender ought to be covered by universal health care. #rachelmaddow
@smirkette: Insurance companies will be barred from covering abortion to anyone who is recieving any public health money, and there's no requirement for them to cover birth control or pelvic exams.
I feel like Kanye West today. Barack Obama doesn't care about female people#rachelmaddow
Rachel is completely right when she says that Stupak is the biggest affront to a women's right to choose since the Hyde Amendment. @hanamaru - rape and incest loopholes work b/c women who choose to have abortions after being raped or after instances of incest must request a "special" exception on their policy, most likely paying out of pocket and then be reimbursed. (As if these individuals don't have enough to worry about, they now must claim extra paperwork to have their abortion covered)
The part that bothers me is that an abortion is a LEGAL MEDICAL PROCEDURE in the United States. I repeat, a LEGAL MEDICAL PROCEDURE. I find it counterintuitive that we ban it from being covered. Federal employees already are have abortion procedures excluded from their policies thanks to the Hyde Amendment. With Stupak, individuals who purchase into the Public Option - WITH THEIR OWN MONEY, no subsidies, will be barred from policies which cover abortions. Not only will economically disadvantaged women suffer, but truly all women as clinics drop providing abortion services because they are not reimbursed for them.
As happy as I am with the passage of healthcare reform, I am disappointed with Stupak. #rachelmaddow
@sonrisa86156: Thank you for stressing the broad reach of this amendment. It is not just about gov't funding, it's about what citizens may do with our own, non-tax money. I think a lot of people don't get that. There's also a penalty for not buying into the public option, that makes it a steeper financial barrier.
This is absolutely not just about government money. #rachelmaddow
@Hana Maru: I don't know about the penalty for not buying into the public option, there may be a mandate for coverage, like in Mass.
The public option will be just that an OPTION, a purchasing pool of plans that individuals can choose from, very similar to the federal employee benefits plan. Many people don't realize that it is virtually impossible to find an affordable individual healthcare plan. Unless you are very poor and eligible for state insurance, disabled (and on SSDI for at least 2yrs) and eligible for Medicare, or over 65 and eligible for Medicare - there isn't really anything out there.
This plan allows for an empowered option that individuals can feel confident that they are buying a quality plan, overseen by the federal gov't but administered by private insurers - that won't bar them if they have preexisiting conditions or kick them out if they get sick. #rachelmaddow
Can someone with more law knowledge than me explain how rape and incest loopholes work? If I need an abortion, can I say that I was raped, or do I have to have filed a police report? Do I need a conviction in court?
And yes, Rachel Maddow, we should revolt. Women should revolt, poor people should revolt, men who give a shit about women should revolt, everyone who isn't poor but believes in de facto reproductive freedom or collective responsibility to care for the less fortunate should fucking revolt. #rachelmaddow
@Hana Maru: I asked this exact question on groupthink. I was pretty confused about how all of this language was defined, especially with rape, and with danger to the mother's health. Does her mental health count? #rachelmaddow
@Jeenzy: "Mother's health" is inclusive of mental health, since Doe v. Bolton in 1973, although Obama said during his campaign that he doesn't agree with it. #rachelmaddow
@Hana Maru: Yes, but I think he meant he doesn't agree with it in its current context -- meaning in the third trimester. My understanding is that this amendment treats all abortions as equal, regardless of trimester. #rachelmaddow
@missworst: The current law(what I think you mean by current context) does allow for health exceptions, including mental health for third trimester abortions. Because he doesn't believe that mental health is as real a health concern as physical (at least for women) he apparantly supports a rollback of Doe v. Bolton.
Now, I don't think that "mental distress" qualifies as the health of the mother. I think it has to be a serious physical issue that arises in pregnancy, where there are real, significant problems to the mother carrying that child to term. Otherwise, as long as there is such a medical exception in place, I think we can prohibit late-term abortions.
This for me is problematic whether it's about third trimester or first. I can't beleve that as a former constitutional law professor, he wasn't clear on the meaning of all this, either.
Obama's done a lot of waffling and fence sitting on women's rights in his career. I think he'll sign any health bill if it *only* sells women down the river, because he wants to get that victory. I can only hope that he proves me wrong this time. #rachelmaddow
@Hana Maru: I agree with you that his statements have been problematic. And, yes I did mean the current law...sorry for the lack of precise language. And, I agree that Obama has done way too much fence sitting on women's rights in general.
However, I just meant that my understanding from what I have seen him say was that he felt this way specifically about late term abortions and that his view was that the government should stay out of the decision earlier in the pregnancy. I could be wrong about this though.
Regardless of any of this, I also have a sneaking suspicion that the entire Democratic Party (Obama included) will view any health care reform as a victory - even if they had to sell out a woman's right to choose to get it. I also hope I am wrong. #rachelmaddow
@missworst: Truly, I don't think Hillary Clinton would be the same in his position, though most male Democrats would be. This is why I was so upset when she was forced out of the primary race. We had the chance, for the first time, to have a President who staunchly believes in, and advocates for rights and freedom for women, especially poor women. #rachelmaddow
@Hana Maru: Thank you for saying this. I was not at all impressed by Obama's stance on abortion during the primaries and on through the election. My feeling of being at best underwhelmed and at worst in fear for my rights hasn't been assuaged since. #rachelmaddow
@HannahBethD: Ironically, with the repeal of the abortion gag rule back in January, the only abortions federal money will fund will take place abroad (feel free to correct me, but I assume this does not affect US-AID projects as those are not linked to the healthcare provisin, or at least I did not get that from reading the amendment).
I am curious to understand how the rape/incest/medical reasons clause will be implemented, and most importantly whether all those responsible for passing this amendment realise what this will do to rape statistics, and the effects on the credibility of survivors. #rachelmaddow
@notheretomakefriends: after thought, maybe it won't affect the rape statistics, at least not as much as it will affect the back-alley abortions or its cheaper and quite as dangerous successor, the off-label use of ulcer pills.
either way, that amendment has to go. as. soon. as. possible. #rachelmaddow
I haven't read the exact wording of the bill, but I was wondering if it would create a loophole to not pay for D&C procedures (i.e the same procedure used for 1st trimester terminations) used for documented miscarriages or other procedures used for intrauterine fetal demise. I know these are small points but I think one thing that gets missed when someone is labeled as an abortion provider is that these procedures are considered somehow separate from other OBGyn procedures. Ultimately this comes down to limiting an entire spectrum of care to women, regardless if a pregnancy is wanted or not. #rachelmaddow
This is for sure an issue that women should be concerned about, but it is also an issue about rights for people from the lowest socioeconomic groups. Sadly, I am not surprised that there is little concern for this group of women who are the least likely to have access to family planning services. This is just one more of their rights stripped away simply because they are poor. How far will we allow this to go? #rachelmaddow
I am pro-choice, but I am honestly pretty neutral about the Stupak Amendment. I know, I know. But the thing for me is this--I don't know of a single insurance company that covers abortion anyway. So I wouldn't expect the government to cover it too.
However, I don't think it's always wrong for the government to spend taxpayer money on things that not everyone agrees with. That's why we elect people. For example, I never agreed with the Iraq war or NCLB. It's just how our country's government works. #rachelmaddow
@first man: Guttmacher found that 87% of insurance companies covered "medically necessary or appropriate" abortions (I don't know exactly what that means, but they said that it was broader than rape/incest/mother's life at jeopardy), and Kaiser found that 46% of insurance policies covered abortion. So half or a vast majority of insurance companies cover abortion, depending on who you ask and what kinds of abortions you're looking at.
@first man: Many insurance companies do, actually. This is a huge blow to reproductive rights and does indeed call for a revolt by progressives and liberals. I am so angry I can barely see straight. #rachelmaddow
@first man: I can only speak to my insurance experience: My insurance is a very limited mandatory insurance for undergrads at my university. It covers abortion in full. #rachelmaddow
@ginmarie: To be fair, wars in foreign countries are also about women's bodies. Often, about women's bodies getting blown to bits. They're just not American women's bodies. #rachelmaddow
@first man: Most insurance companies cover abortions. They are also known as D and Z. They only seem to have negative connotations when it is done electively. When I had my abortion, Blue Cross covered me. And frankly, because of HIPAA regulation, medical procedures are private matters and are not common knowledge. This legislation is going to create a black market for abortions and make it a class issue.
@first man: I just checked the online SPD for my HMO. Not only does it cover abortion, for myself and my dependents but if I were in a domestic partnership and my partner had a daughter who was either under the age of 18 or between the age of 18-25 and a full-time student, my coverage would cover an abortion for her as well.But I don't get Lasik. #rachelmaddow
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@first man: The second portion of your argument actually makes the point that abortion SHOULD be included in government subsidized healthcare.
Just because Republicans don't believe that women should be allowed to choose when they carry a pregnancy to term doesn't mean that they shouldn't have to pay for something that the Constitution deems a rightful act.
Just because I don't agree with the Iraq war doesn't mean that I get to stop paying for it--the elected officials in this country support it, so I must be forced to as well. #rachelmaddow
@first man: Roughly 80% of private plans do cover abortion. As for not spending tax payer money on something not everyone agrees with, I'm sure my tax money is spent on a lot of medical care that I wouldn't agree with. But I'm also not a medical professional. Medical decisions should be made between doctors and their patients, not decided on by politicians who aren't medically trained, who don't see women in their offices every day who are seeking abortions. 1 in 4 women in this country has an abortion. These are women we know, women you know and love. They're women faced with a medical decision and they deserve to be covered by their health care plans. #rachelmaddow
@BetteD: Right. That's what I meant in the first place. If I were able to vote on abortion being covered by the public option, then I would vote for it. However, I just don't find myself as outraged as others that it didn't pass. The important thing to me is that abortion is still legal in most places. Yes, we have a long way to go, but there just isn't any way healthcare would pass if abortion were publicly funded. #rachelmaddow
You know, one thing (and there are many) about this amendment that is driving me crazy is the logic-fail associated with the exemptions. Basically, it says that the public option and/or any subsidies cannot go toward plans that cover abortion UNLESS the abortion is needed because of rape, incest or the mother's life is in danger. So according to this logic, funds can't go to abortion because many people feel that abortion is murder and their tax dollars shouldn't fund such a thing. BUT, the amendment admits, -- maybe abortion is NOT murder in this list of circumstances. If abortion is sometimes NOT murder or is somehow a justified murder than a gray area is implied. And, if there is a gray area where abortion is ok (if not desirable) then why is a pack of old white dudes coming up with the list of approved reasons instead of...oh, I don't know...the woman herself? This amendment ADMITS that abortion is sometimes necessary or approved while restricting access to it at the same time. My head hurts. #rachelmaddow
@missworst: Good point. I wonder how people who believe that abortion is only okay in certain circumstances(rape/health problems...) explain that reasoning...
1. Do they think abortion is murder but it's okay to murder for a greater good? and that they get to decide what a greater good is...
2. Do they think abortion is not murder but some people should be "punished". Like if you got pregnant not by rape you "deserve" to go through the pregnancy?
I'm curious...can anyone explain to me? #rachelmaddow
@kctomorrow: No, because their thinking is illogical. I have had long discussions with a colleague who says he's pro-life and yet believes it is "between a woman and her God" and it's none of his business what her conscience can live with. He may not agree with a woman's reasons for getting an abortion but he doesn't believe it's "murder" in every case (like the 11-year-old girl who's raped and would likely die in childbirth, the pregnant cancer patient who needs chemo...) and acknowledges that it is sometimes medically necessary.
I pointed out that makes him pro-choice, whether he thinks it or not. If you believe that abortion needs to continue to be a legal medical option, then you're pro-choice. He said, "Wow, I never thought about it like that before." Agh, logic! I refrained from pointing out that the reason he probably never thought about it was because he never needed to. He's a man! And if he never got a woman pregnant, why would he give any thought to why he believes what he does? He just believes it because "abortion is murder" without considering that no, it's not always what you think. #rachelmaddow
@willwriteforfood: I think a lot of people, like your colleague, don't understand the difference between pro-choice and anti-abortion. Saying "well, *I* would never do it" does not make someone not pro-choice. It, in fact, makes them pro-choice - they are choosing NOT to have an abortion, for their own reasons.
Explaining this to people is like shouting at a wall, though, most of the time. #rachelmaddow
@likepenguins: I know, right? I pointed out to him that if I got pregnant, I would not necessarily terminate the pregnancy just because I am pro-choice. I said that given my current circumstances, I could support and would likely CHOOSE to have the child, but the whole crux of my argument is that I get to CHOOSE what to do with my body. Get it? Yeesh! Why is that so hard to figure out? #rachelmaddow
@anna002: At this point, should I be e-mailing my representative (who voted against the Stupak amendment), or my congresswomen? I want to see this removed, and I know that all three of them will work against it, but who should be contacted if the bill's going to the Senate now? #rachelmaddow
@Ipomoea: PP has an email campaign aimed at the President right now. That said, contacting all of your congresspeople is appropriate. They all work together, they all know each other, and they need to know how many voters are gravely, gravely disappointed in them. #rachelmaddow
I already have a letter to my senators planned. One of my senators has done a lot for women's health already. The other probably wouldn't know a labia if it bit him on the ass. This is what I am planning to say. Comments are welcome.
Please see if there is anything that you can do to get the Stupak amendment out of the health care bill. That amendment is a denial of health care to women, especially low-income women, who will need publicly assisted healthcare the most. Abortion is a legal medical procedure that all women should have safe, affordable access to if they want. I don't get to choose where my tax dollars are spent and they are most definitely used on programs and issues I do not want funded (wars, abstinence only sex-ed). A small but vocal group should not be allowed to run away with women's health. #rachelmaddow
I don't think public health care should cover prostate cancer because we all know that guys who have prostate cancer got it from being dirty sluts and getting HPV from prematerial sex. Unless of course they were victims of sexual abuse, and got HPV from that act or they can prove it is genetic within their family.
Oh wait, nevermind. I forgot our society only hates women and not men. #rachelmaddow
@rikki-tikki-tavi: You know I thought the exact same thing, I can't get BPH or prostate cancer so why cover it. But then again I am not a self serving politician and I do have a father and brothers and a son who could have this problem so I say cover it. #rachelmaddow
@Ineedmorecowbell: "I do have a father and brothers and a son who could have this problem so I say cover it."
Half the people we know are men, and sometimes we get fairly along with them. That's why we're reasonable when it comes to their health and freedoms.
I'm beginning to think all these politicians voting against women issues must have huge mommy-issues and have no sisters or female relatives or were born and raised in a test tube like some weird Brave New World experiment (which would explain the female politicians). Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the second theory was right... they always do seem a bit spacey and disconnected to the world. #rachelmaddow
@rikki-tikki-tavi: I had a facebook defriending over the John Kyl "your mom" incident. He said that he shouldn't have to have maternity coverage, because he can't get pregnant. This particular gentleman (with whom I am no longer friends, facebook or IRL) happened to have testicular cancer and had them both removed. It was ALL I COULD DO to not talk about how I don't have balls, and shouldn't have to pay for ball cancer or fake balls. I didn't go there, but I really, really wanted to. Instead, I presented a well-reasoned argument, to which he replied "yeah, I didn't read any of that" (which is when the defriending happened). And it made me really wish I'd gone down the making fun of his testicles route. #rachelmaddow
@rikki-tikki-tavi: I think they are spacey and disconnected because most of them come from money and are able to pay for anything they want even a political seat. They could care less about the people they represent and more about keeping their position of power, it all seems like one big game to them. They will call out members of the opposition for their sexual peccadillos and call for their impeachment when they are doing the exact same thing themselves or worse. I would like to know how many of them have paid for an abortion for girlfriend or mistess because I'm certain the number is pretty high. #rachelmaddow
@babyruthless: My Facebook de-friending incident came after someone I know told me that "there would be no need for abortion if women just kept their legs together". Yeah, awesome. #rachelmaddow
@rikki-tikki-tavi: How about funding for Viagra? That shit kills me, man. We're funding optional health coverage so the menfolk can get erections, but women aren't allowed to get abortions even if it may severely hurt their health? WTF?
Oh also because the CIA uses viagra to entice old men in Afghanistan to help them find Taliban fighters and shit. Seriously. I like how the CIA says that Viagra puts the old dude "back in the authoritative position," presumably over his four young wives. Let's all just think about how this guy somehow got "authority" back when he was able to get erections. Gee, I wonder if he had no authority before because he couldn't rape or threaten to rape his wives...until the CIA gave him Viagra! Now he can put them in their (subordinate) place whenever he wants, by raping them!
Just in case there was any doubt over whether the American government hates women. Afghani women. American women. White women. Black women (especially). Single women. Married women. Mothers. Widows. Fuck women. Is apparently the US's motto. #rachelmaddow
@Cimorene: Since when does rape necessarily require an erection? I'm not disagreeing with your whole argument, but I wonder about that detail. #rachelmaddow
@noisy doll: It doesn't. But that's not the issue. The issue is that the CIA gave these men the weapons (erections) they need to rape the way they're going to rape. The article I linked to quoted the CIA agent as saying that the Viagra (-- erection --intercourse) gave the men the authority. Which means that sex is used by said men as a way to get authority. They're having sex with their wives, then, to get authority, to exercise control and power, and presumably without erections they couldn't get authority because they couldn't have intercourse. Therefore the CIA gave rapists the weapons they'd use to rape. #rachelmaddow
@Cimorene: Not to mention the long term cost of viagra (and you know older men use the pills for a long time after they start) costs more than the average abortion. Those little pills are EXPENSIVE. #rachelmaddow
@babyruthless: You're a lot more thoughtful than I am. I'm not sure I would let anyone get away with comments like that, not even my own father. Thankfully you ended your friendship with him. People need to realize that such talk is not respectful around friends who care for women (or are women). #rachelmaddow
@rikki-tikki-tavi: I told him why I de-friended him, but then I de-friended him, so I'm not sure that he was able to read it. The next day he tried to re-friend me, but did so without apology or comment, so I decided to pass. And now my facebook feed isn't cluged up with his hate. #rachelmaddow
The games these bastards play with reproductive rights sickens me. The rich white men (and handful of women) on the right who push these chiseling measures are never going to have to worry about paying for an abortion for their wives, their daughters or their mistresses. Oh no, if they have to pay out of pocket it's barely an inconvenience.
Meanwhile low-income and minority women, who already bear the brunt of our horrible health care system have one more restriction placed upon them.
These same right-wing nutters want to cut unemployment benefits, food stamps and all manner of benefits that might actually help low-income mothers.
The message is clear, to satisfy their religious quiverings they will demand that women bring pregnancies to term and then make all due efforts to make rearing that child more difficult.
I'm a white guy, and I gotta say these fuckers are SURPLUS. #rachelmaddow
I posit that no one is going to do a goddamned thing. That shit stain on the bill is going to go all the way through to the end. Democratic women aren't going to want to look like they're eeevil feminists promoting the female babykiller agenda, and since abortion rights aren't anyone's "one issue" they choose a candidate on, they're going to let it stay.
Fighting for women's rights doesn't make you popular or electable, which are the only two things that matter. Ergo, they aren't going to do jack shit. See also: Why I can never be elected to political office #rachelmaddow
@CynicalPink: Just for the record, while abortion rights aren't the ONLY thing I judge a candidate on, they're the most important. A candidate could mirror every other single ideal of mine, but if they're anti-choice, I'm not voting for them, period. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. #rachelmaddow
@SaraRueful: I vote the same way. But there are a lot of one issue voters on the other side who will literally vote for ANYONE who will try to take away the right to choose.
For other people I know who are pro-choice, it's an issue they're willing to compromise on. If their dream candidate has that one flaw, they'll still vote for him/her. I understand this because often the other side is going to be fielding an anti-choice candidate as well. Even if that's not the case, most people think positions on taxation and national security are more important and will vote on those issues instead. #rachelmaddow
I certainly hope someone revolts. I don't understand where this wave of anti-choice sentiment came from and how it took over so quickly. I wouldn't mind seeing some action, or at least indignation. #rachelmaddow
11/09/09
Catholic and Baptist hospitals offer little to no reproductive care, and yet they receive federal dollars. They turn away women and men seeking reproductive care. They turn away women needing terminations in dire dire circumstances, never mind the simple elective ones.
Women are still a long way from being first class citizens.
Make every candidate know that you are a women's issues voter. #rachelmaddow
11/08/09
I've said it once, I'll say it again. Time for the straight women of the US to go all Lysistrata until everyone can acknowledge that women are people, which means issues specific to our gender ought to be covered by universal health care. #rachelmaddow
11/08/09
I feel like Kanye West today. Barack Obama doesn't care about female people #rachelmaddow
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The part that bothers me is that an abortion is a LEGAL MEDICAL PROCEDURE in the United States. I repeat, a LEGAL MEDICAL PROCEDURE. I find it counterintuitive that we ban it from being covered. Federal employees already are have abortion procedures excluded from their policies thanks to the Hyde Amendment. With Stupak, individuals who purchase into the Public Option - WITH THEIR OWN MONEY, no subsidies, will be barred from policies which cover abortions. Not only will economically disadvantaged women suffer, but truly all women as clinics drop providing abortion services because they are not reimbursed for them.
As happy as I am with the passage of healthcare reform, I am disappointed with Stupak. #rachelmaddow
11/08/09
This is absolutely not just about government money. #rachelmaddow
11/09/09
The public option will be just that an OPTION, a purchasing pool of plans that individuals can choose from, very similar to the federal employee benefits plan. Many people don't realize that it is virtually impossible to find an affordable individual healthcare plan. Unless you are very poor and eligible for state insurance, disabled (and on SSDI for at least 2yrs) and eligible for Medicare, or over 65 and eligible for Medicare - there isn't really anything out there.
This plan allows for an empowered option that individuals can feel confident that they are buying a quality plan, overseen by the federal gov't but administered by private insurers - that won't bar them if they have preexisiting conditions or kick them out if they get sick. #rachelmaddow
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And yes, Rachel Maddow, we should revolt. Women should revolt, poor people should revolt, men who give a shit about women should revolt, everyone who isn't poor but believes in de facto reproductive freedom or collective responsibility to care for the less fortunate should fucking revolt. #rachelmaddow
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Now, I don't think that "mental distress" qualifies as the health of the mother. I think it has to be a serious physical issue that arises in pregnancy, where there are real, significant problems to the mother carrying that child to term. Otherwise, as long as there is such a medical exception in place, I think we can prohibit late-term abortions.
This for me is problematic whether it's about third trimester or first. I can't beleve that as a former constitutional law professor, he wasn't clear on the meaning of all this, either.
Obama's done a lot of waffling and fence sitting on women's rights in his career. I think he'll sign any health bill if it *only* sells women down the river, because he wants to get that victory. I can only hope that he proves me wrong this time. #rachelmaddow
11/08/09
However, I just meant that my understanding from what I have seen him say was that he felt this way specifically about late term abortions and that his view was that the government should stay out of the decision earlier in the pregnancy. I could be wrong about this though.
Regardless of any of this, I also have a sneaking suspicion that the entire Democratic Party (Obama included) will view any health care reform as a victory - even if they had to sell out a woman's right to choose to get it. I also hope I am wrong. #rachelmaddow
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I am curious to understand how the rape/incest/medical reasons clause will be implemented, and most importantly whether all those responsible for passing this amendment realise what this will do to rape statistics, and the effects on the credibility of survivors. #rachelmaddow
11/10/09
either way, that amendment has to go. as. soon. as. possible. #rachelmaddow
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I am so sick of being tossed under the damned bus.
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However, I don't think it's always wrong for the government to spend taxpayer money on things that not everyone agrees with. That's why we elect people. For example, I never agreed with the Iraq war or NCLB. It's just how our country's government works. #rachelmaddow
11/08/09
[www.guttmacher.org] #rachelmaddow
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Just because Republicans don't believe that women should be allowed to choose when they carry a pregnancy to term doesn't mean that they shouldn't have to pay for something that the Constitution deems a rightful act.
Just because I don't agree with the Iraq war doesn't mean that I get to stop paying for it--the elected officials in this country support it, so I must be forced to as well. #rachelmaddow
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1. Do they think abortion is murder but it's okay to murder for a greater good? and that they get to decide what a greater good is...
2. Do they think abortion is not murder but some people should be "punished". Like if you got pregnant not by rape you "deserve" to go through the pregnancy?
I'm curious...can anyone explain to me? #rachelmaddow
11/08/09
I pointed out that makes him pro-choice, whether he thinks it or not. If you believe that abortion needs to continue to be a legal medical option, then you're pro-choice. He said, "Wow, I never thought about it like that before." Agh, logic! I refrained from pointing out that the reason he probably never thought about it was because he never needed to. He's a man! And if he never got a woman pregnant, why would he give any thought to why he believes what he does? He just believes it because "abortion is murder" without considering that no, it's not always what you think. #rachelmaddow
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Explaining this to people is like shouting at a wall, though, most of the time. #rachelmaddow
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Contact your representatives. Make your choice.
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Please see if there is anything that you can do to get the Stupak amendment out of the health care bill. That amendment is a denial of health care to women, especially low-income women, who will need publicly assisted healthcare the most. Abortion is a legal medical procedure that all women should have safe, affordable access to if they want. I don't get to choose where my tax dollars are spent and they are most definitely used on programs and issues I do not want funded (wars, abstinence only sex-ed). A small but vocal group should not be allowed to run away with women's health. #rachelmaddow
11/08/09
Oh wait, nevermind. I forgot our society only hates women and not men. #rachelmaddow
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Half the people we know are men, and sometimes we get fairly along with them. That's why we're reasonable when it comes to their health and freedoms.
I'm beginning to think all these politicians voting against women issues must have huge mommy-issues and have no sisters or female relatives or were born and raised in a test tube like some weird Brave New World experiment (which would explain the female politicians). Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the second theory was right... they always do seem a bit spacey and disconnected to the world. #rachelmaddow
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Oh also because the CIA uses viagra to entice old men in Afghanistan to help them find Taliban fighters and shit. Seriously. I like how the CIA says that Viagra puts the old dude "back in the authoritative position," presumably over his four young wives. Let's all just think about how this guy somehow got "authority" back when he was able to get erections. Gee, I wonder if he had no authority before because he couldn't rape or threaten to rape his wives...until the CIA gave him Viagra! Now he can put them in their (subordinate) place whenever he wants, by raping them!
Just in case there was any doubt over whether the American government hates women. Afghani women. American women. White women. Black women (especially). Single women. Married women. Mothers. Widows. Fuck women. Is apparently the US's motto. #rachelmaddow
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Meanwhile low-income and minority women, who already bear the brunt of our horrible health care system have one more restriction placed upon them.
These same right-wing nutters want to cut unemployment benefits, food stamps and all manner of benefits that might actually help low-income mothers.
The message is clear, to satisfy their religious quiverings they will demand that women bring pregnancies to term and then make all due efforts to make rearing that child more difficult.
I'm a white guy, and I gotta say these fuckers are SURPLUS. #rachelmaddow
11/08/09
Fighting for women's rights doesn't make you popular or electable, which are the only two things that matter. Ergo, they aren't going to do jack shit. See also: Why I can never be elected to political office #rachelmaddow
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For other people I know who are pro-choice, it's an issue they're willing to compromise on. If their dream candidate has that one flaw, they'll still vote for him/her. I understand this because often the other side is going to be fielding an anti-choice candidate as well. Even if that's not the case, most people think positions on taxation and national security are more important and will vote on those issues instead. #rachelmaddow
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