To say this issue is not going to be here until November, would just be turning a blind eye to the truth that has become today's political process. I was made aware of this issue nine days ago when I posted the letter here from the church. I am not Catholic, however, I am human and an American. I am going to decode the language in the public square so you might have a fair look at the real issue.
IN MY VIEW- Catholics, are not wholly owned divisions of either political party. They are sensible, thoughtful, giving people interested in fairness and equality for all. In 2008 President Obama garnered 51% of their vote which shows a mix of progressive and conservative values. Ideology is not their primary motivation. It would fair to say that some members have availed themselves of the services at the heart of the debate today. They may not call the media to announce their choices, rather they quietly take the steps needed to live healthy productive lives.
Just to be clear, what is at stake is church affiliated hospitals, universities, and charitable services having to provide health insurance to all of their employees (churches proper have been exempted). Included in that insurance policy must be
reproductive coverage (this has been adopted by pro-choice groups to represent abortion services, birth control devices and pills, and sterilization services) it's ironic that each of these services do not reproduce. These services must be provided with no co-pay.
I have heard the term
Religious Liberty thrown around by the people in opposition to the new mandates under The Affordable Care Act. This is then followed by a chorus of my First Amendment rights are being trampled upon. And then what about separation of Church and State. To that I say, the First Amendment was designed to prevent an "established religion" or official religion of the government like The Church of England. The liberty lost would be freedom to choose one's own religion or forcing only catholic's to supply reproductive services and not other denominations. Church and State is not in the US Constitution. Conservative's state the idea stems from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to a church in Danbury, CT. It was not Law just a letter.
Women's health is another buzz phrase in this discussion. This refers mainly to women being charged more for their health insurance than their male counterparts. From a feminist's point of view, they think that being the gender responsible for bringing new life into the world is not a choice. They cannot opt-out. Every person on this planet owes their existence to a woman. They should not pay a more for something that benefits all person-kind.
OK, now we have that established. The Catholic Doctrine strictly forbids birth control or abortion. This tenant has been established for many hundreds of years. This belief holds human life sacred. I will reserve the wisdom of this philosophy for the theologians. I don't believe every woman who takes the pill holds human life with no value. They just seek to create it at an optimum time for their future children. I find it hard to imagine every catholic girl in America with a boyfriend has never used the pill or a condom and abstains from sex.
The Culture War,
another talking point promoted by conservative's suggests no sex until marriage, no offensive musical lyrics, no tattoo's, and secular progressive beliefs will destroy the very fabric of American Society followed by anarchy in the streets. This makes for a nice Norman Rockwell painting, however, it is preposterous to think this standard is realistic. As my 7th grade science teacher Mr. Hougland (R.I.P) said, "Don't kid yourself, people were horny a hundred years ago."
The problem with all of the facts is that they make for a lousy story. The conservitave press needs you to believe that this is the "gateway drug" to Government Officials showing up at your doctor, pharmacy, school, church, hospital, ect. and erecting signs on the wall displaying the 27 pages of Marx's Communist Manifesto. The Progressive media needs you to think women will be stuck at home on Saturday night wearing chastity belts waiting to walk down the aisle if a republican is elected and repeals The Affordable Care Act. Really, is this really what is going on here or did the Obama Administration miss an opportunity to simply exempt people who object on conscious grounds. They will back off. Obviously, the President cannot tick off 70 million potential voters in an election year. However, a host of other groups will seek to be exempted for a multitude of reasons. He cannot be seen playing favorites either. It makes for a great diversion from Mitt Romney's rhetorical short-coming. Or Newt's Big Freddie Mac attack. The truth is people do use these products and services. Should they pay out of pocket or not at all. I'm sure the drug companies have a preference.
The bottom line is that politicians will make political hay where they can. Sadly, the poorest among us will need one of the services and not be able to get it.
The Hyde amendment of 1976 strictly forbids federal funds from paying for abortions. I wish our nation could act with much more consensus, whatever that might be. I hope this might explain some of the slippery linguistics seen on TV and help you make a better informed decision on where you come down on this issue. Voting and being heard is your best option for getting the outcome you seek.
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