The entire content of the War On Women is abortion, so says Kathleen Parker in her September 30,2014 Op.Ed. I happened across it over the weekend in my parent's hometown paper. I have been stewing on it ever since. Today I found the time to churn out what I hope to submit as a letter to the editor. I thought I'd share it here first.
It has long been accepted that the Republican party is waging a war on women, because they are.
Let’s be clear, this war is based on much more than abortion rights.
You can’t have missed the Republicans blocking the Paycheck Fairness Act; how they have held up the funds to test the appalling backlog of rape kits; and their opposition to Paid Family and Medical.
You also must remember that they fought against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. 60 Republican Congressmen even voted against their own watered down version.
We also need to keep in mind Republican opposition to raising the minimum wage, coupled with attempts to cut the social safety net. Women make up a disproportionate percentage of low wage workers who count on SNAP and other programs to take care of their families. These issues are vitally important to women.
Who could forget the more than fifty votes that Republicans took to repeal the Affordable Care Act? Legislation that has rules to stop insurance companies from charging women more for their healthcare premiums just because they are women. Legislation that obliges insurance companies to include over 20 preventive health services specifically for women. Including contraceptives.
Let’s be clear, effective contraceptives are a big expense for women. How could you forget the Republicans joy in the Hobby Lobby ruling. Their glee that now a woman’s boss could make intimate decisions for her. To have birth control fully covered by the premiums she already pays can be the difference between a good life or poverty for women and their families. Half of all pregnancies in this country are unintended. Why are Republicans so opposed to the most effective abortion-preventative there is?
There we are, back at abortion as you predicted. Almost 90% of abortions are obtained before the 12th week of pregnancy, less than 5% after the the 16th week. 1 in 3 women will have an abortion by age 45, 60% of them have one or more children already. 42% have income below 100% of the poverty line.
Let’s talk about the late term abortions you are so concerned about. Why are they so late? Waiting periods, ultra-sounds, parental consent laws, clinic closures. Impediments put in place by Republican politicians cause late terminations. More time is needed to raise funds, find childcare, arrange work schedules,arrange transportation.
Unfortunately, some very much wanted pregnancies also end in late term abortion. Life threatening health issues for the woman can occur at anytime during a pregnancy. Anomalies that interfere with viability aren’t tested for until the 16th week, leaving little time for difficult decisions in difficult situations. Decisions best made by the woman.
Let’s be clear, the content of the Republican War on Women is expansive. The answer to your question is yes. A Democratic male, even an imperfect one, that advocates for policies that benefit women is an infinitely better vote to cast than for a Republican, even a woman, whose policies harm women.