This blog features observations from Randy Turner, a former teacher, newspaper reporter and editor. Send news items or comments to rturner229@hotmail.com
Thursday, February 09, 2012
On House floor, Blunt, Reid argue over contraception rule
Starting in December of 2000, the Bush administration required any employer with more than 15 employees, including religious institutions, to make contraceptives available in employee health plans. Bush's EEOC ruled to not do so was a violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
So almost the exact same circumstances existed through the entire Bush administration. And there was very little complaint.
Now the Catholic Bishops, who fear they have suffered waning political influence going back to the late 90's saw a chance to flex their muscle.
And the Obama Haters of the rabid right, who are in mortal fear that the economy may be starting to improve just a touch, jumped at a chance to throw bombs at the President about a matter not economic.
As usual, I am slack jawed at the overkill employed by the teabaggers. "Hates religion"? "At war with the religious"? Comparisons to the French Revolution? "A kick in the groin to every Catholic in America"? (This last, despite polls showing that a majority of Catholics, and a large majority of Catholic women, agree with the administration on this).
All that because he believes that Catholic employees that choose to use contraceptives, and all non Catholic employees of Catholic institutions should pay the same price as employees at non Catholic institutions?
When this kerfluffle has passed and as Obama takes the oath of office for a second time about a year from now, two of the biggest reasons will be the complete and utter overkill by the teabaggers and those they elected in '08; and the far right's inability to allow women to make their own decisions about there bodies.
Keep attacking choice and contraception guys; see how well that works out in a country where 53 of the registered voters are women.
1 comment:
Starting in December of 2000, the Bush administration required any employer with more than 15 employees, including religious institutions, to make contraceptives available in employee health plans. Bush's EEOC ruled to not do so was a violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
So almost the exact same circumstances existed through the entire Bush administration. And there was very little complaint.
Now the Catholic Bishops, who fear they have suffered waning political influence going back to the late 90's saw a chance to flex their muscle.
And the Obama Haters of the rabid right, who are in mortal fear that the economy may be starting to improve just a touch, jumped at a chance to throw bombs at the President about a matter not economic.
As usual, I am slack jawed at the overkill employed by the teabaggers. "Hates religion"? "At war with the religious"? Comparisons to the French Revolution? "A kick in the groin to every Catholic in America"? (This last, despite polls showing that a majority of Catholics, and a large majority of Catholic women, agree with the administration on this).
All that because he believes that Catholic employees that choose to use contraceptives, and all non Catholic employees of Catholic institutions should pay the same price as employees at non Catholic institutions?
When this kerfluffle has passed and as Obama takes the oath of office for a second time about a year from now, two of the biggest reasons will be the complete and utter overkill by the teabaggers and those they elected in '08; and the far right's inability to allow women to make their own decisions about there bodies.
Keep attacking choice and contraception guys; see how well that works out in a country where 53 of the registered voters are women.
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