Go watch this video. I'll wait.
What did you think? Feel free to leave a comment. I'll go ahead & give you my opinion. News stories like this are the reason this blog is called "Seriously?!?". I can't understand the level of ignorance that would lead people to the beliefs Colbert so beautifully skewers.
Before I get much further, I want you to know that I'm gonna be talking shit about Republicans. But wait a minute! When I say that, I mean the stereotypical, Fox News worshiping, caricature of Republicans. I realize that there are many Republicans and that they are not all the same. Some are even decent. I should know, I married one. So before you get your panties in a twist about the label, know that it is only so we can have an easier time with this discussion.
Birth control is a touchy subject for some people. As a Catholic, I can understand that. But you know what subject is even more controversial? Abortion. Woohoo, folks, that is a topic that can literally bring people to violence, regardless of which viewpoint a person takes. I don't understand how a Republican can be against birth control and abortion. Kinda like how they get on to us Democrats for being pro-choice, but anti capital punishment.
I'm accused of being idealistic a lot. "Oh, all you Democrats/Liberals/Leftists/Young People are so idealistic. The world isn't perfect." Really? You're shitting me. Of course I want things to be perfect, but I'm enough of a realist to realize this isn't the case. That said, I admit to being a bit of a prude. I would be thrilled if people didn't have sex until marriage, or at least until they were responsible and mature enough to deal with the consequences. But being a realist, I don't understand how Republicans can believe that Abstinence Only sex education is an answer. There have always been teen pregnancies. People wanna fuck. Especially people whose hormones are raging during puberty. Its gonna happen. Period. Isn't it our job as responsible adults to inform and educate?
I don't think that birth control causes people to have sex. I'm sure there are some that, once they feel "protected", take advantage of the situation. That happens with everything. However, according to this report, the teen pregnancy rate is the lowest it has been in the past 70 YEARS. Isn't that a good thing? Aren't Republicans the ones going on and on about how their tax payer dollars shouldn't go to support the types of people who have kids before they are functioning, responsible members of society? Guys, you can't have it both ways.
And what about women who suffer from a medical condition that would benefit from treatment with birth control? I have a condition called PCOS. Part of the recommended treatment for this condition is to take birth control, and I'm sure its not the only ailment that benefits from such a treatment.
The final part of the video is the thing that got to me the most. The woman on Fox News, Sandy Rios, in my opinion, is a blubbering fool who has a very low opinion of her sex. Say what you want about birth control. But to equate abuse counseling, HIV testing, and breast pumps for nursing mothers to mani-pedis? SERIOUSLY?!? What the fuck is wrong with a woman like that? Maybe you don't believe insurance should cover abuse counseling or breast pumps. Fine. We can have some sort of logical debate about that. But to make the leap from those things to optional cosmetic procedures is outrageous and shows a level of contempt that leads me to believe that no amount of discussion with this woman would lead to any logical conclusions.
And isn't that one of the major problems in this country right now? The level of contempt for what is viewed as "the other side"? If we, as a society, can't learn to see things from a different perspective, look at all sides of an argument, and make some concessions and compromises, we are in serious trouble. Feel free to tell me just how wrong I am, or to call me a socialist, in the comments section below.
I consider myself a liberal-conservative (or democratic-republican if you like that better), that way I can freely piss off everybody and they can't blame one party or the other. I agree with you on the whole "contempt for the other side" thing. Political parties are so busy bashing each other and screaming they'll never agree with so-and-so based solely on their political affiliation that nothing is ever accomplished. It's like a giant family reunion-if your family consisted of the Hatfield's and McCoy's.
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow "tarnished Catholic" (you know, those of us that were raised Catholic but are responsible enough to understand that not everything they teach is civicly smart) I agree on the birth control topic. Just because it is offered, does not mean every one will be out screwing. However, a lot of responsibility falls to the parents to teach their kids that having sex isn't just fun, it can also be a huge responsibility. Unfortunately, in today's society, parents are neglecting to have that conversation and sex is sensationalized. Teen pregnancy is seen as a badge of "coolness" instead of the stigma it used to be. I think that instead of the sex-ed programs the schools have now they should offer parent-ed. All of the teen moms and low income families can sign up to bring their infants and toddlers to the high schools for free/low cost daycare so that they can work or finish school. Put the kids into a classroom and make it a required course for all high school freshmen. An hour and a half everyday of screaming, whining, fighting toddlers and stinky, teething babies and it would make teens think twice about the consequences of having sex. If nothing else, they would definitely be a little more prepared next time they were screwing in the back seat of grandma's cadillac.
In the for what it's worth category, I have no problem with birth control. I took it for years to treat non-sex related issues (that didn't come out quite right, but you know what I mean). Maybe if we renamed them something other than birth control people would be more willing to use them. Call them Intelligence Pills or Responsibility Enhancers and list possible side effects as the inability to conceive while taking them. I do not, however, believe in abortion for the sake of ending unwanted pregnancies. I see it as a cheaters way of dodging responsibility.
I don't think you are socialist or wrong or anything else you may be called. You understand the most important part of politics. The part that politicians everywhere seem to have forgotten, compromise.
Susan, thank you so much for being the first to comment. You win 5 interwebz. And don't worry about how long your posts are; I'm the queen of long-winded! Everything you said is intelligent, well thought out, and insightful. That is the important part.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, I could go on and on. There are several reasons to take birth control pills other than birth control. It's really hard to hear women say that birth control pills aren't covered on their insurance. That's just ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteAND ......
Not all women who take birth control are teenagers. Many of them are married, 35+ with 3 kids already, or 45+ with 2 kids. Or married at age 20 with no kids, with husbands who agree, no kids right now. Or not married at 35 with no kids, not that it matters. But MANY MANY women who take birth control pills are not teenagers. I should try to find some statistics. I bet a very large percent of the women affected by this bill would be over 25. As if they don't continue to have sex or something.
How would that Sandy lady like to end up pregnant at age 49... might interfere with her time on fox news...