Inflammatory Politics

[botias]

To Whom It May Concern:
I am vehemently opposed to "provider conscience regulation."

A conscientious objector to killing in battle (believing it to be murder) stays home or performs non-combat duties. He or she does not purport to be a soldier and than refuse to fire when other soldiers lives are on the line.

A OB/GYN who will not perform abortions, a pharmacist who will not dispense birth control, should 'stay home' if the full performance of their duties is morally objectionable to them. When their lives are at risk, is not the time for a woman to discover that their doctor or pharmacist is not 'full service'. For many women, travel to another provider in another town may be financially out of their reach.

Access to contraception and safe abortion are among the medical services that women NEED to live full, healthy lives, and sometimes to live at all. Why is it so difficult for people to understand that poor, rural women often have very limited choices, sometimes no choice at all, in what medical providers they can access, in whether or not to have sex, in whether or not to bear children. Please don't make the lives of the poorest among us even worse.

ETA: For anyone inclined to act this post has more information.

Comments

[botias.livejournal.com]

One of the administration's first acts was to cut funding providing health services to women in developing countries because the programs that received the funds in some cases also provided information about and access to abortion.

It truly boggles my mind that a bunch of extremely wealthy men would presume to pass judgment on such desperately poor women.

[empresspatti.livejournal.com]

It truly boggles my mind that a bunch of extremely wealthy men would presume to pass judgment on such desperately poor women.

Oh Pleezze! That is when they are doing their "jobs" and feeling most superior.

[botias.livejournal.com]

*criez*

I suppose American women these days don't give them quite the same satisfaction what with how uppity they've gotten.

[empresspatti.livejournal.com]

Until we are 60% of the Legislative and Judicial branches of govt (reflecting US population) we don't really worry them at all.

[botias.livejournal.com]

Well, that alone ought to be enough. Women have the political power now to elect people, Y chromosome or not, that are attentive to their needs. Thing is, plenty of women think abortion is always murder and that they belong in the kitchen.

[empresspatti.livejournal.com]

I'm right back to the main point - women should be running - not just electing. Also - there are other issues besides abortion (which I think is important, not denying that) like pay equity, immigration etc. Women tend to only worry about one or two things and not take political lead as often as the adverage yutsy guy...

I will be very glad to see the last of the current administration - but I also think they have done enough damage that it will take several years before things get corrected - If the right person is elected...