Stupak is the PITTS!

Sorry for the lame title of this entry-- blame it on watching so much Saved by the Bell in my formative years.

So, as I wrote yesterday, I was very excited to hear Congressman Driehaus' remarks about the House passing the health care reform bill. And I need to set the record straight.

I understand that Driehaus is one of a handful of pro-life Democrats. I understand that there are constituencies in the US that will never be pro-choice. I understand that in order for things to move forward in the US that pandering to anti-choice voters is a necessary evil. However, upon further examination of the Stupak-Pitts amendment, I propose this.

You know how men's reproductive rights are protected? Ok, well, howzabout we drop coverage of Viagra, Levitra, or whatever else, and let guys find their own solutions to impotence? Like, maybe they'd start stabbing themselves with wire hangers in a dark alley. Yeah, they might do damage to themselves, and it would be ridiculous in light of the available simple medical solution. But would it really be as ridiculous as making it harder for women to get safe abortions? WTF?! Roe v. Wade was decided nearly 37 years ago-- excuse me, but GET THE FUCK ON BOARD. Is it great that women use abortions as birth control? No. Is it great that women can't get a little hipper to condoms or the Pill? [Good Lawd, I just don't get it. Open your mouth, put the pill on your tongue, and swallow. Repeat tomorrow and every day that follows until you decide you want to play a game of Maybe-Baby with your partner. What part of this is difficult?] No. But, as Blackmun reminded us, it's nobody else's business.

Last year's election signaled a wonderful paradign shift. It seemed like the US was finally waking up and taking a few steps forward. Voters made it clear that they wanted the changes that Barack Obama was promising. So, what happened to the guts and grace we all showed on November 4th? Oy.

On the other hand, again, I am very pleased with the progress made over the weekend, and I feel somewhat optimistic about its outcome. I certainly have a personal stake in health care reform-- anyone want to see some hilarious bills? I mean, HILARIOUS?-- but I also have a personal stake in womens rights being protected and furthered. And the sickening part is that every last American has that same interest, whether or not they realize it, yet about half of us pretend that it's copacetic for women or same-sex couples to live as second-class citizens. Newsflash: it's not.