Ok, it’s time for me to break things down here. I don’t get riled up too easily when it comes to politics. I think most of it is BS and most politicians are liars who tell you want you want to hear to get elected. I have remained pretty ambivalent as the election draws closer, and issues arise.
That being said, I do respect my president as I think all people should because he is our leader and I think he has a tough job. I feel this way no matter if he is Republican or Democrat. I try to stay out of a lot of the political debate because I think most people could argue me under the table and I can also understand both sides of most situations. I do have some non-negotiables when it comes to elected officials and my beliefs.
Ok, enough back story. Let me get to it. I am originally a registered Republican who has since shifted to a more liberal/moderate mindset. I declare myself more of a moderate now a days because I have views that kind of dabble on both sides of the spectrum. I am not an extremist by any means, but if one thing grindes my gears it’s messing with women’s rights.
I have said it before, but I do not know how ANY man (no matter their position) can make a law or pass legislation that mandate what a woman can and can not do to HER body. It just blows my mind. Well, it appears as though Governor, Robert McDonnell is considering signing a bill that will require women to have an ultrasound before having an abortion.
McDonnell is strongly pro-life and feels as though this legislation will help deter abortions in Virginia. The ultrasound legislation would require women to undergo a test to determine the gestation age of the fetus, hear the heartbeat and be given an opportunity to see the images. A woman who refuses to look at the ultrasound would have to sign a statement, which along with a print of the image would become part of her medical file.
Ok, I’m sorry but WTF?! The main point here is that during the first trimester, an abdominal ultrasound would usually not work that early in a pregnancy, meaning women would be subjected to a transvaginal ultrasound to have an abortion. I have to get transvaginal ultrasounds as a result of being BRCA1 positive. They are invasive. They are uncomfortable. It’s a wand in your vagina for goodness sake…
Oh and guess what….many of the bill’s supporters were unaware of how invasive the procedure could be! These supporters had no idea what women would have to endure if the bill was passed. Because MEN should not be making laws about WOMEN and their bodies. How would you feel, men if a bill was passed that required you to have an object inserted into your private parts as a result of a sexual encounter and unwanted pregnancy?
McDonnell has since changed his full support of the bill to now saying he would consider it. I don’t care what his stance is. The fact that this legislation even exists makes me furious. There are other abortion-related bills pending including bills ending state subsidies for low-income women to abort fetuses that have serious birth defects and giving rights to a fertilized egg at the moment of conception.
Being pro-life is fine. Having your views and beliefs is fine. Regulating abortion is fine. But ultimately women have rights to their own bodies and these rights are theirs alone. The decision a woman makes about her body should between her and her doctor, not a politician with an agenda.
There are plenty of other issues in Virginia, such as taxes (which are going up in 2013 in our county), unemployment, and education. Instead of focusing on the issues at home, McDonnell is pushing his extreme right wing agenda in hopes of shutting down Obama. Well, Mr. McDonnell just because your name is floating around as a Vice President nominee does not mean you are facing Obama yet. You are still representing Virginia and you need to focus on our real problems, not your ridiculous social issues.
My friend Maeghen’s dad (Republican) made a good point on Facebook yesterday. He said, “ They seem to think that the Conservative Movement that gave them control of the House, Senate and Govenorship last year was focused solely on Conservative Social Agenda items. They are wrong and grossly over reaching on these agenda items…. They were elected to promote job growth in Virginia, keep Government power limited and to keep the State Budget balanced without raising taxes. This very conservative social agenda slate they are pursuing will hurt solid Constitutional Conservatives in the fall and may hand the state over to Obama in the November Elections.They are certainly losing the Womens vote.”
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Don’t get me started on the craziness that is going around in the Senate regarding birth control and giving employers the right to deny health coverage to employees based on their personal beliefs.
I am outraged. News flash, all you law makers…people have sex. Marriages don’t always last. Sometimes pregnancies are unwanted. It happens. Bringing religion into the equation and forcing your beliefs on people will not make America abstinent. And pushing these bills will not win you the election. You are alienating a lot of people. Meanwhile, gas prices are threatening to rise to over $5.00 a gallon…priorities, I tell you.
The one thing that makes me just as mad as messing with women’s rights is this bill - Private adoption agencies could deny placing children with prospective parents who are gay. So pretty much, adoption agencies have the right to discriminate against a couple and deny them if they are gay and use their religious beliefs as an excuse for the denial.
Because I guess being gay impacts if the couple is financially able and willing to give love and care for a child. I mean, come on people! So you are telling me that a child living in a group home or an orphanage is better off there then with a loving couple who just also happens to be gay? I am just baffled by this. How does sexual orientation make anyone less capable of raising and caring for a child?
In fact, The Child Welfare League of America sent a letter to senators earlier in the session urging them to reject the bill, saying it would make it more difficult to place the approximately 1,300 Virginia children waiting for a home.
The American Civil Liberties Union also opposed the bill and say, “This is truly troubling legislation that in essence codifies state-supported discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, which is not only unconstitutional but also unconscionable as it will deny many parentless children the family placements they so desperately need.”
I know this whole post has turned into a rant. But if people don’t stand up for their beliefs then nothing will change. I have no problems with the fact that McDonnell is Republican or pro-life or anti gay or whatever else. I do have a problem with the fact that there are many many issues that need attention in Virginia and instead the focus is being directed to women and gay rights. Isn’t one of the main ideas of Republicans is that there is less government involvement? Sounds to me as if there is more government involvement with all of these bills.
You don’t have to agree with me. But the point is to stand for something. These politicians are elected to represent and protect us, not take away our rights.
Contact Governor McDonnell
Contact your Senator
Planned Parenthood
American Civil Liberties Union
Thanks for reading!
Edited to add –
A nice Twitter friend informed me that Delegate Kathy Byron was the one who sponsored the bill. So I will tame my man hate for now and just shake my head at the fact that politicians in general (regardless of gender) should not have the right to mandate what goes on with your body. Here’s a link to John Stewart discussing the bill. And for those who want Del. Byron’s view point, here you go. I think she makes good points, but still stand by the fact that the use of an ultrasound before an abortion should be a decision made between patient and doctor and should require no involvement from the government.
