When asked for their comments on Rush Limbaugh's calling Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke a slut and a prostitute, both Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann demanded that they receive apologies from everyone on the left because they have been "insulted" numerous times. Well, perhaps, but although calling politicians such as Palin and Bachmann stupid may not be the height of savoir-faire, it does not translate into insulting all women. In fact, it increasingly appears that this is not an insult so much as an appellation.
On the other hand,to say that a woman who expects to receive contraception as part of her health care package is a slut or prostitute is in essence insulting almost all women, since about 98 percent of women in this country use contraception at one time or another. And, in fact, most women who are even somewhat well off usually receive contraception as part of their health care package. In truth, the women who do not are those who are most in need of it because they can least afford a child, usually having little means of supporting one.
The religious issue is a serious one mainly for those who believe that their religion is the only true religion and that there should be no separation of Church and State. No one is ever forced to use birth control. Catholic or evangelical employers do not go against conscience because an employee uses contraception. They should look to their own families, and not everyone else's. They in fact know that is so, but they are looking for ways to skimp on medical insurance. Conscience is always a good line. Even if almost every Catholic woman in this country uses contraception. Santorum and Romney are unlike most people in this country, not only for their large families, but because they can afford them.
Those who talk of not wanting “their money” to go toward supplying a woman with contraception, well I have news for you. Your money does not pay for it. The money comes from those who paid for the individual insurance plans (usually the employer or employee) or as now promised, the pharmaceutical companies themselves when necessary. In addition, your money, my money, everyone’s money always goes toward something we don’t like. That’s called democracy.
One final comment I must make, and that is about Rush Limbaugh’s most egregious comment about the “what are you going to give us for our money?” gambit and demanding that “we should be supplied with film showing what we’re getting for our money.” In other words, the notion of producing sex tapes and receiving them from a woman who receives birth control. Truly, that must the most disgusting thing he said, and I am surprised at everyone shying away from it. Why is this pig still on the air? Don’t forget that he only apologized for using “those two words.”
Showing posts with label Palin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Palin. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Friday, January 22, 2010
Scott and Sarah and the Fate of Healthcare
The newly minted Senator Brown can be seen in some ways as being a male Sarah Palin, albeit more articulate and educated. What makes me think of Sarah when I look at Scott is the strong reminder of how they both trade on good looks, and they both lie. Big time. Brown campaigned all over his state crying out that he was going to stop health care reform in Congress so that the people in Massachusetts would not have to pay for everyone else’s healthcare in the country.
Of course that is quite a whopper, if you’ll excuse the expression. But then again, not only did many in that state believe this nonsense, but please remember: they don’t care about healthcare reform because they already have universal healthcare. It may not be the most serious contender to Sarah's winning "Liar of the Year" in 2009 for her Death Panel speeches, but combined with his Senate seat and its voting privilege Brown may be in the running for 2010.
The point is that the very hypocritical Senator Brown should not be able to crush a bill that would give to the rest of the country what the people of his state not only already have, but obviously appreciate having.
It would be a serious blunder to not pass healthcare reform, even if it is not perfect, and it certainly won’t be. But to attempt to maintain what we have is not only untenable but an invitation to the healthcare industry to continue jacking up the prices on everything as they have been doing on a regular yearly basis.
Business as usual in the healthcare industry translates to a tremendous barrier to getting our economy on its feet any time soon.
Of course that is quite a whopper, if you’ll excuse the expression. But then again, not only did many in that state believe this nonsense, but please remember: they don’t care about healthcare reform because they already have universal healthcare. It may not be the most serious contender to Sarah's winning "Liar of the Year" in 2009 for her Death Panel speeches, but combined with his Senate seat and its voting privilege Brown may be in the running for 2010.
The point is that the very hypocritical Senator Brown should not be able to crush a bill that would give to the rest of the country what the people of his state not only already have, but obviously appreciate having.
It would be a serious blunder to not pass healthcare reform, even if it is not perfect, and it certainly won’t be. But to attempt to maintain what we have is not only untenable but an invitation to the healthcare industry to continue jacking up the prices on everything as they have been doing on a regular yearly basis.
Business as usual in the healthcare industry translates to a tremendous barrier to getting our economy on its feet any time soon.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Top Ten Jobs for Which Sarah Palin Would Be Really Qualified
10. CIA operative, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where she could cross her shapely legs and seductively troll for information from sheiks who don’t usually get to see their wives’ knees on a daily basis.
9. Tour Guide for hunters who want to bag a moose or bear and help Alaska rid itself of those pesky protected species getting in the way of oil drilling.
8 Pilot for hunters who want to do their shooting from a Cessna. Another way to clear the place. Might even get in a shot or two while on autopilot, using an assault rifle of course.
7. Sunday School Teacher preaching Creationism to all those kid who might have missed learning about it in their Alaskan classrooms.
6. Television talk show host since Sarah loves to talk. She may even stop to listen to guests once in a while.
5. Newspaper advice columnist, Dear Sarah, offering advice on relationships, family, sex and raising children. Sarah could also reach a wider audience for her abstinence before marriage message – and perhaps come up with solutions when it fails (shotgun wedding?).
4. Soap opera actress. Her life already is a soap opera, and she learns lines well.
3. Lobbyist. Let’s face it: a woman with her face and figure could convince a lot of people (make that “men” people) to change a vote. And I bet she would work very hard at doing her convincing.
2. Used car salesperson. Maybe planes too. Since they don’t always move on eBay, she could be a private sales agent selling used cars (and planes). Should she include bridges? Umm.
1. Finally! The job for which Sarah may be truly best suited: Hold your hats, folks! Community Organizer! Yes, you heard correctly. Community organizer! Her controlling personality combined with persistence, pushiness, (hey, sarcasm too!) could be directed toward getting relief for poor people in communities.
9. Tour Guide for hunters who want to bag a moose or bear and help Alaska rid itself of those pesky protected species getting in the way of oil drilling.
8 Pilot for hunters who want to do their shooting from a Cessna. Another way to clear the place. Might even get in a shot or two while on autopilot, using an assault rifle of course.
7. Sunday School Teacher preaching Creationism to all those kid who might have missed learning about it in their Alaskan classrooms.
6. Television talk show host since Sarah loves to talk. She may even stop to listen to guests once in a while.
5. Newspaper advice columnist, Dear Sarah, offering advice on relationships, family, sex and raising children. Sarah could also reach a wider audience for her abstinence before marriage message – and perhaps come up with solutions when it fails (shotgun wedding?).
4. Soap opera actress. Her life already is a soap opera, and she learns lines well.
3. Lobbyist. Let’s face it: a woman with her face and figure could convince a lot of people (make that “men” people) to change a vote. And I bet she would work very hard at doing her convincing.
2. Used car salesperson. Maybe planes too. Since they don’t always move on eBay, she could be a private sales agent selling used cars (and planes). Should she include bridges? Umm.
1. Finally! The job for which Sarah may be truly best suited: Hold your hats, folks! Community Organizer! Yes, you heard correctly. Community organizer! Her controlling personality combined with persistence, pushiness, (hey, sarcasm too!) could be directed toward getting relief for poor people in communities.
Why Doesn't Anyone Care?
There is one aspect of Palin’s campaign yet to be mentioned, and it surprises me. If the Democratic vice presidential candidate were a governor who was being investigated for abuse of power and had an investigation hanging over his head, there would be a hue and cry for him to step down. Republicans would be the loudest and most vehement. Even independents (where are you people?) would be thinking that it seems quite unwise to elect someone who may yet be found guilty of abusing her gubernatorial office. Since Sarah considers qualified for everything in the world without even having to think about it, obviously someone else has to bring this up. For the interest of the country, we should not even be considering electing another tainted official. Are all the men afraid of hurting the little lady’s feelings? Hey, guys, she should be getting the same scrutiny a man would receive in her position.
Dear Sarah
Dear Sarah,
You have a five-month old baby with Downs Syndrome, and I understand you were aware of the condition of the fetus before giving birth. I must commend you for undertaking the care of a child with special needs with four children already at home and a full-time job. I can only assume you have the means and resources to deal with your extraordinary situation. Not everyone does.
You made a decision for yourself, and I am sure you feel it’s the best decision for you. That does not mean this would be the best decision for anyone else. I have no business telling anyone what she should do in such a situation. But then neither do you. That’s the point.
It is a medical and personal determination that must be made. Whenever someone tells me that abortion is murder, I realize that person is not talking about a medical or personal choice but about religion. And religion should be a private matter in this country. That is the American way, we are told, though not lately by the evangelizers who seem to have waded quite deeply into politics. But if our Constitution is to have validity, such a very private and personal medical matter must remain in the realm of being decided by a woman. Certainly with advice from her physician and input from the baby’s father, if that’s germane. But not the government!
Sarah, I must admit that there are things about you I find perplexing. You are proud of being a strong woman, forceful—someone who speaks up for her rights. So why are you so willing to give up another woman’s right to decide for herself what can or cannot be done with her body? It seems a giant contradiction to me. The only answer I can come up with is a religious one. But if that’s the answer, then as a political figure, you should be pledged to allow others to follow their own conscience, as you have followed yours. To want others to believe as you believe does not offer the freedom of expression, the freedom of religion promised in our Constitution.
Yes, this is a complex issue, and every decision to have or to not have an abortion can be complicated. For instance a planned pregnancy can result in a woman becoming ill, and the physician recommending an abortion for the health of the mother. Or because of the compromised situation of the fetus. Or a woman may desperately want an abortion because of rape or incest! Or perhaps you may consider it not a worthy reason if a woman becomes pregnant because of the failure of birth control, or the failure of a vasectomy or other procedure. Whatever the reason, these are not my reasons, or your reasons, but we must respect that all women have the right to be fully informed of their options—and that must include the option of abortion.
Women must not be held hostage to politicians making the most important personal decisions for them. We are in the 21st century. Aren’t we?
Please give the matter some thought. I hope that ambition does not cloud your vision. I’d like to believe you when you said you went into politics to help people. Right now, I am having difficulty accepting that concept in light of your fiery defense of upholding a stand that has no respect or regard for women.
You have a five-month old baby with Downs Syndrome, and I understand you were aware of the condition of the fetus before giving birth. I must commend you for undertaking the care of a child with special needs with four children already at home and a full-time job. I can only assume you have the means and resources to deal with your extraordinary situation. Not everyone does.
You made a decision for yourself, and I am sure you feel it’s the best decision for you. That does not mean this would be the best decision for anyone else. I have no business telling anyone what she should do in such a situation. But then neither do you. That’s the point.
It is a medical and personal determination that must be made. Whenever someone tells me that abortion is murder, I realize that person is not talking about a medical or personal choice but about religion. And religion should be a private matter in this country. That is the American way, we are told, though not lately by the evangelizers who seem to have waded quite deeply into politics. But if our Constitution is to have validity, such a very private and personal medical matter must remain in the realm of being decided by a woman. Certainly with advice from her physician and input from the baby’s father, if that’s germane. But not the government!
Sarah, I must admit that there are things about you I find perplexing. You are proud of being a strong woman, forceful—someone who speaks up for her rights. So why are you so willing to give up another woman’s right to decide for herself what can or cannot be done with her body? It seems a giant contradiction to me. The only answer I can come up with is a religious one. But if that’s the answer, then as a political figure, you should be pledged to allow others to follow their own conscience, as you have followed yours. To want others to believe as you believe does not offer the freedom of expression, the freedom of religion promised in our Constitution.
Yes, this is a complex issue, and every decision to have or to not have an abortion can be complicated. For instance a planned pregnancy can result in a woman becoming ill, and the physician recommending an abortion for the health of the mother. Or because of the compromised situation of the fetus. Or a woman may desperately want an abortion because of rape or incest! Or perhaps you may consider it not a worthy reason if a woman becomes pregnant because of the failure of birth control, or the failure of a vasectomy or other procedure. Whatever the reason, these are not my reasons, or your reasons, but we must respect that all women have the right to be fully informed of their options—and that must include the option of abortion.
Women must not be held hostage to politicians making the most important personal decisions for them. We are in the 21st century. Aren’t we?
Please give the matter some thought. I hope that ambition does not cloud your vision. I’d like to believe you when you said you went into politics to help people. Right now, I am having difficulty accepting that concept in light of your fiery defense of upholding a stand that has no respect or regard for women.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)