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A recent ruling by the Obama administration -- requiring health insurance plans sponsored by religious-affiliated employers to provide contraception as part of their basic benefit package -- has fired up the blogosphere, drawing criticisms from both sides. Not surprisingly, many on the left are taking a firm position in supporting the administration's decision, while the right is opposing it.
Liberal blogger Steven Benen states that most Roman Catholics agree with the White House, citing a recent poll.
While the Obama administration's recent decision on contraception has caused a stir, it's worth pausing to appreciate the fact that most Roman Catholics already agree with the White House... Support, not surprisingly, is fairly broad among most groups. The only constituency opposed to the coverage in this poll was self-identified white evangelicals.
Igor Volsky at the liberal ThinkProgress suggests Catholic leaders and the GOP presidential candidates have “intentionally distorted” the issue and ignored the numbers that show most Catholic universities and hospitals already offer prescription insurance to cover contraception.
Conservatives are seeking a way to politically unite Republican voters around a social issue and portray the regulation as a big government intrusion into religious liberties. In reality, the mandate is modeled on existing rules in six states, exempts houses of worship and other religious nonprofits that primarily employ and serve people of faith, and offers employers a transitional period of one year to determine how best to comply with the rule.
Sarah Posner, a blogger at Religion Dispatches accuses three liberal Catholic pundits of wrongfully criticizing and misunderstanding the issue at hand.
First there was Michael Sean Winters, writing "J'Accuse!" in the National Catholic Reporter. "President Barack Obama," Winters wrote, "lost my vote yesterday when he declined to expand the exceedingly narrow conscience exemptions proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services. The issue of conscience protections is so foundational, I do not see how I ever could, in good conscience, vote for this man again."
Next up was E.J. Dionne, a good liberal Democrat (and Catholic), who used his Washington Post column to assail the President for how he "utterly botched the admittedly difficult question of how contraceptive services should be treated under the new health-care law."
Mark Shields, also Catholic, opined on the PBS NewsHour: "The fallout is cataclysmic for the White House and for the president."”
…
Did someone like Doug Kmiec help win Republican-leaning Catholic voters to Obama—or did Obama win them over himself? Will Winters and Shields and Dionne cause Catholic Democrats to flee Obama en masse? Maybe we'd know if any of the media outlets that published their opinions had asked a Catholic with ovaries.
On the right, meanwhile, Grace-Marie Turner at National Review Online, framed the ruling as an “assault on the Constitution and the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious liberty.”
“..There is a war on religion from the Left, and it is very dangerous to the institutions that make our civil society function.
The Catholic Church historically has been a vital part of the safety net — providing aid for the poor, care for the sick, shelter and food for the homeless, and care for mothers in need, as a few examples.
The health-care law threatens to tear gaping holes in that safety net by forcing Catholic health plans to cover contraception, by denying funds to Catholic adoption agencies, and ultimately by forcing taxpayers — including Catholics — to fund abortion.
And Robert Morrison, also at NRO, believes Americans must resist “any connection with the culture of death.”
This administration wants to compel these hospitals to join the culture of death by forcing them to provide insurance coverage for their employees for sterilization and drugs that cause abortions. In so doing, the Obama administration violates not only the conscience rights of practicing Catholics, but also the conscience rights of millions of “separated brethren,” protestants like us, who rely on Catholic health care to uphold the sanctity of life.
….
All Americans have a stake in this conflict. The Obama administration views pregnancy as a disease, and they want to force all of us to see it as a disease, too. They view this great human blessing as a curse. No wonder we are at odds with them over this menacing move.”
This “unconscionable” move — as New York’s Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan calls it– must be resisted by all Americans who value our God-given rights of conscience. On this vital question, there should be no separation among us. The Lord we serve came that we may have life and have it abundantly. We must resist any connection with the culture of death.
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This whole thing is a MSM created non-troversey!
Given the GNOP can't focus on the economy at the moment, 40 year old social issues had to be dug up & dusted off!
The media is more then happy to oblige to keep the 'choir' humming along!
The year is 2012 and what is being demonized?
Birth control!
Guess it beats the hell out of having to talk about something of significance LIKE J-O-B-S!!!
You got it Feisty!
The TeaPeople once again trying to turn the conversation away from job creation.
Where are the jobs.....more jobs......jobs?
Turns out most Catholic folks (58%) think employers should provide their workers health care plans that cover contraception:
And 52% of Catholic voters.
Seems folks stopped listening the Vatican on this issue in the mid-1960's. Many Catholic hospitals and universities already cover contraception in their health plans.
http://publicreligion.org/research/2012/02/january-tracking-poll-2012/
Amen Feisty, Nothing like a a little FAKE outrage coming from the right, concerning social issues.
And I'll bet the number of comments today will number over 2000, beating an FR record. The right just love to argue non-events.
Feisty refers to House Speaker Boehner's 2010 promise of "Jobs" - that switched rapidly to Anything But Jobs.
Despite the GOP/Koch pledge three years ago, never to compromise or help the US economic recovery or the President:
3.7 Million private sector jobs were created over the last 23 months, and the most manufacturing jobs since the 1990's.
No thanks to the R-KillJobs-KillourRecovery-JustgiveusourTaxAdvantage Party.
Red,
Sssssh - it's pretty quiet around here for the time being!
The trolls must be in an emergency meeting under the bridge, waiting for their
marching orderstalking points via their tin foil hats! ;o)Backhouse,
What amazes me is, how easily people are distracted...
The right wing sees contraceptive nonsense as their only hope
based hopeand are ready to keep it in the news circle as long as they can. One more week and we're on a different topic.If we poll the catholic women, we'll see some amazing revelation on this issue. They are good consumers of contraceptives like many other women.
This is a non issue as far as November is concerned.
FR: Conservatives are seeking a way to politically unite Republican voters around a social issue and portray the regulation as a big government intrusion into religious liberties.
Only, because like Feisty says it beats the hell out of having to talk about something of significance LIKE J-O-B-S!!
What other wedge can the REPUBLIcons use realistically apart frm bithrism, Kenyan Mau-Mau, Communist, anti-Constitution, blah, blah? The economy is picking up and the President has keep us safe and taken out the world's most wanted terrorist. I'm really surprised at E.J. Dionne. It is the republicans and the Church botching things up not our President. With 98% of catholic women using contraception, I'd say "NO" the President is not gonna lose votes offer this.
I'll say again if the Catholic Church can dictate religious philosophy for political reasons; it should lose its tax exempt status.
Feisty .. that explains the empty 'wrap' shelves at my local grocery store. There are going to be a lot of shiny-reflective heads out there tonight.
I am bloody sick and tired of males who are unable to get pregnant and who think they should be able to dictate what women do with their bodies, not to mention those of the evangelical persuasion who think they should dictate what everyone should believe! What your neighbor does or believes should have no impact on what you do or believe. If you don't believe in abortion or contraception, don't use them--but don't tell others they can't. It is not your business and has absolutely NO impact on your lives. These are wedge issues anyway--the economy and jobs are the real issues--and these seem to be improving. Wake up and deal with reality!
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
Kind of reminds me of when the
BushCheney adminstration raised the terrorist level to be so scared you'll @!$%# yourself!Ashcroft told eveyone to go out and buy plastic sheeting & duct tape! lmao!
AMEN Nurse!
Call me crazy but, I don't remember all this poutrage happening when insurance companies started covering Viagra & such!
They'll pay for the old coots to 'get it up' yet don't want women to have access to choice!!!
Job1 says: Nothing like a a little FAKE outrage coming from the right, concerning social issues.
It's kind of like their fake outrage over the deficits and debt. Who passed Medicare Part D without paying for it to the tune of 7 trillion? Who started wars without paying for them? Who gave huge tax cuts to Mitt Romney and Paris Hilton without paying for them? Reagan tripled the national debt, and by so doing proved to Republicans that, "Deficits don't matter." Oh, and who is it that pushes a "Starve the Beast" strategy?
Republicans don't stand for anything. Remember the fake outrage over the Clenis? Who was the most outraged? Newt Gingrich, a man who'd been having an extra marital affair for years.
Any time you see Republicans being outraged you should take it for granted that they are faking it.
Ever hear of the slippery slope....
What's to stop King Obama's next mandate to have the plan b abortion pill put into vending machine at these catholic hospitals and institutions like they do in that Pennsylvania university.
Can you imagine abortion pills in vending machines for anyone of any age with enough quarters?
The silly libs still don't get it. The debate isn't so much about contraception as it is about government controlled healthcare. Anyone that doesn't think rationing is on the way is crazy. Obamacare is wildly unpopular for this exact reason.
The one issue voter may not be a decisive factor in winning this contest. Very few people will care about this issue when attention is drawn to the GOP and their favoritism to the wealthy or the way they killed the job bill several times. What's a pack of condoms cost anyway? Ridiculous!
Rob
I would think that's free market, the GOP mantra. Are you now picking your fight cause stopping this will sure mean some kind of government regulation.......perhaps, regulation is actually good.
Trolling, trolling, over the bounding main!
Feisty--agree on the viagra thing! What a travesty! The worst thing women did was give up their rights to lead society! What ever happened to matriarchal and matrilineal?
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
You would think that the Catholic Church has more pressing issues to settle. Like hiding child raping/abusing priests....guess they can try to move that issue off to the side, and focus on adult women!
Shameful!
When ever there is a controversy about insurance coverage for contraception, Democrats have begun to demand the same importance given to contraception that is given to Viagra.
I can't recall the name of a congresswomen who just attached an amendment like this to legislation requiring equal treatment of contraception and Viagra--if anyone knows who I'm referring to, please remind me of her name.
Especially at state levels where Republicans far outnumber Dems, so this is the only way Dems can have an affect on far-right fast-track legislation. But social conservative wedge issues like this are definitely their way to gin up their base, while doing nothing about the economy and jobs. And who knows this crap better than Newt Gingrich?
Throw the Teapublicans out -- Obama/Biden - 2012!
P.S. -- I just caught that Feisty brought this up as well -- thanks!
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
So.....wait...
Isn't giving a hospital that is run by the Catholic Church an exemption, while not giving other hospitals the same, something like a law respecting an establishment of religion?
Rob.
The only slippery slope is the one you are on......towards the delusional conservative reality.
Wow. Just, wow. Logic not your thing, huh?
You would think that the Catholic Church has more pressing issues to settle. Like hiding child raping/abusing priests
Yeah, that and the child theft in Spain. Did you hear about this? Apparently the Catholic Church stole up to 300,000 children from their parents and sold them on the open market.
So, in the Catholic Church's eyes raping children, or stealing them and selling them, is fine, but birth control? I'm starting to wonder if the church's stance on birth control is an inventory management issue.
Rebublican/Right wing logic:
My kid steals a candy bar from the store. I should yell at the store for 'letting' him steal it. I do NOT chastise him for breaking the family rule against stealing.
Sheesh.....
Dang nsl .. now I have ginger ale all over my keyboard.
My advice to the fake outrage of the weeper of the house is if he doesn't want an abortion ..then his sex partners should use a condom on him !
Only since the 90s has there been such a powerful right-wing propaganda machine, primarily FOX Noise, but also Hate Radio, etc. Add to this the lack of the Fairness Doctrine and at least one sane person like William F. Buckley, and you have a right-wing Echo Chamber and Cone of Silence that can't be penetrated.
Bev -- The IRS needs to crack down on the non-profit status of religious institutions more. Cali's Prop 8 is a good example of outside influence such as Romney's Mormon church, and if for only this reason it is good to see it being kicked back in their faces. Alsothe "Personhood" crap, why do all the candidates support this when it couldn't even pass in Mississippi?
nisl -- So true about deficits. We still have war, we still have the Bush tax cuts for the rich, we still have Medicare Part D, but all the Teapublicans can focus on is the debt since President Obama took office, which is due to continuation of Bush-era policies because of Teapublican obstruction -- the wars, tax cuts for the rich, etc.
Good ole Newt -- what a joke it is whenever this serial adulterer tries to take a moral high ground on anything.
RedDevPS - Sorry about that. But I really don't understand how the Catholic Church stealing hundreds of thousands of children and selling them isn't a huge story.
How anyone can consider the Catholic Church a moral authority at all is beyond me.
And the way they use children? I'd rather be Mitt Romney's dog than a child in a Catholic family. Okay, that is hyperbole, but you get my point.
I love the passion all these libbies have over this issue!
So tell me when President SuperPac does another 180 on this issue and caves to the church are you going to be okay with it like good little rumpswabs or are you going to finally have some stones and criticize him for it?
For some reason I think old John is a bareback rider! ;o)
Rob.
It is amusing to watch political neophytes like yourself blather on. The President may soften his stance on this issue. Or he may not. I don't think it is anywhere near the issue the right wants it to be, in either case.
This will likely turn out to be yet another issue where the right wing attempts to make some short term gains, but in the long run, costs them.
It will be fun to watch.
This will likely turn out to be yet another issue where the right wing attempts to make some short term gains, but in the long run, costs them.
I think you have the right of it. Let us keep in mind that the underlying issue is CONTRACEPTION. Now, let us also remember that the year is 2012! This isn't the 60s! I'd expect such idiocy from Rick Santorum, but the entire Republican Party?
What's next? Are Republicans going to start agitating for poll taxes, forced bussing and re-segregating the south?
Rob has left the door wide open (so to speak) on an obvious KY joke.
Sorry,...but someone had to go there. Buzz, so GREAT to see you!
@nisl...
'Inventory management issue"........too funny....stop it 'cause I'm LMFAO!
Obama is pandering to his liberal base. He's using this issue to try to win points with his base... now when he backs down from the position, his plan is to win points with those that are outraged now.
Watch for the switcherroo from Obama... give it a little time... Watch Obama do the presto-chango routine. When it happens... I'll be here to point it out.
Obama is as fake as they come.
OMG, Say it.........."if he doesn't want an abortion ..then his sex partners should use a condom on him !"
These guys are too busy scre$ing the country to have any time or energy left for personal intimate relationships!
You and nisl are on a roll this afternoon.......thanks for the levity...
The bottom line is that 28 states have similar requirements for coverage. I understand the dilemma for religious affiliated organizations but on the other hand they are more than happy to get the tax breaks and special hand-outs from the government.
Georgetown University, which is a Jesuit institution (one of the most respected in the world) provides coverage since they know that their employees are of varying faiths.
If religions are stupid enough to ban contraceptives then they should be prepared for the on-slot of UN-wanted babies that society must then have to feed in cloth when the parents are not of economic status to do so.
The entire argument against contraceptives is flawed. However, if they want to have that as part of their believe that is fine. However, the practice of religion that has no negative impact on me or anyone else is fine. This 12th century view of contraception by religious right does have an impact on me as my taxes are directly effected by the costs of unwanted childbirth.
It's exactly these arcane type of views that drove me away from the Catholic religion. Oh....and their general hypocrisy of Un-married priests and child-molestations. You just have to love organized religion. It's all about power.
I agree we should be talking about more important things like the fact that our liberties are being stripped from us at an alarming rate. We lost the right to privacy with the Patriot act and lost due process with the NDAA and almost lost freedom of speech on the Internet with SOPA We already look like the biggest hypocrites in the world as we have demonized other countries for decades for doing to their citizens what the NDAA made legal for the US government/military to do to ours! Our founding fathers would be ashamed and horrified that we have let this happen!
Subject to be downplayed by liberals. They do not want to talk about anything Obama does that may have a negative impact on his campaign.
This is a distraction of the real issues. Just like gay marriage, abortion, the war on christians & the right wings beloved war on christmas. Its a way to get base wound up. These non issues are a waste of time. The message of safe sex is growing, younger people are getting the message. Sure lets go back to the days unsafe sex, unwanted baby's and the spread of disease. Someone posted this great line. This is for us men who don't want birth control legal. Guys are you willing to lop off your balls so you won't get a woman pregnant? Does that one work for you?
Hey, I'm all in for birth control. I just don't think abortion is an acceptable means. Use a contraceptive. There are many safe ways to prevent conception. Use 2 if you think 1 isn't enough...
Smitty - many men have taken care of the problem... have you never heard of a vasectomy?
Been there done that. After my youngest son was born I took care of that. I'm talking about the guys who don't want to take care of the problem. Like I said this is just a distraction.
Abortion is not a contraceptive. Its a choice that a woman makes with her doctor. Its is choice thats none of are business. You and I have no voice in what a woman does with her body. Look at this through a woman's eyes. She has to make a choice that she has to live with. So its time to keep ones nose out of women's personal lives.
Actually, Brianb, that vasectomy wouldn't be covered by the Catholics either.
Brianb-999431
Actually, I do not see much downplaying here. However, it IS quite interesting how social issues are now the big campaign focus for the Republicans when the economy is showing improvement. I suppose it is time to use a different scare tactic.
As I said in a previous post. If the religious Right does not like laws that are designed for all the people and not particular religious sects, then stop taking money and special privileges from the government. Case closed.
Feisty, The two earlier posts were so collapsed that they were hard to read. How do I go about contacting newsvine to express my concerns.
Hi Lisa,
Go to your the 'report bug' feature in the upper right hand corner of your Newsvine page! ;o)
I really wish - Newsvine would de-activate the collapse feature! It serves NO purpose!
Feisty, Thanks for the information. I don't understand why if a comment is collapased it takes everyone underneath with them.
Even better question Lisa, is I don't understand how something that has been 'restored' can be collapsed again...
Feisty, I don't know I have never been collapsed. Not like somebody I know, Just kidding. I will try the newsvine page, Thanks again
lisa,
I think the System/Software designers thought that if the initial comment was worthy of being collapsed that all replies were of little value because they were in direct response to that comment.
Unfortunately that is not the way we users use the product and it would be a large upgrade to correct that problem.
The proper way to fix the problem would be to allow the comment to stand but send the alert to the moderators so they could quickly review the comments and make the decision to either let it stand or delete it. No more collapsing.
Personally I'd like to see the collapse feature eliminated. We have a vote up feature, but not a vote down feature... If they replaced the collapse feature with a vote down button, I believe that would be more satisfying to someone that disagrees with your opinion. Collapse simply makes more people want to find out what you said to garner a collapse. Just my opinion.
Dennis, Thanks for the information. Have a good day.
Brianb, agree on this one. All the collapse does is make people curious to read what could have been worthy of collapse. If you ever look at the vote totals on collapsed posts, they are huge, probably much more than if the post had never been collapsed.
Holy crap, I just found common ground with Brianb
World may end today, just sayin'.
Christ was tempted by Satan in the wilderness and turned him down flat. Christians of all denominations can handle the temptation of contraceptives paid for with their insurance policy if they wish. (And if they want to!) I have faith!
Very true Wayne.
And the fact remains that morality can NOT be legislated. It all comes down to personal choices...
...except for the RWNJ's who seem to always want to control other people and force their will upon others - true "class warfare" IMO.
"Yes, massa Tea-Republican politician; I promise I won't seek any safe or healthy contraception since YOU say not to...."
This from a religious organization with a past of genocide and murder against any non-Catholic christian and any other religious non-Christian faith.
RedDevPS
This from a religious organization with a past of genocide and murder against any non-Catholic christian and any other religious non-Christian faith.
Exactly, lets not forget
a. pedophilia
b. money laundering
c. allowing the serial adulterer, Newt Gingrich, marriage to be annulled by the Catholic Church
Where is the human dignity?
RedDev - Your argument would be very valid if they were still engaged in that horrific behavior. We are talking dark ages here. Here's a little about the Inquisition:
This did come to an end though by reform. Don't confuse the Spanish inquisition with the Catholic inquision. The Spanish inquisition tortured Muslems and others. It was not related to the Catholic inquisition.
Bev .. the interesting part of this debate is the Catholic Church claims they shouldn't have to spend any funds that supports contraception in any way. Yet, if a woman's life is saved at a Catholic Hospital, and that woman is on the pill, haven't they just broken their own tenet?
What happened to the GOP's old insistence on executive privilege? This monumental waste of time by a do-nothing Congress is exactly why the American people are disgusted with these morons and give Congress its lowest approval ratings on record. No organization has the right or authority to put the health of American citizens in jeopardy because of certain moral strictures that they choose to believe. The idea of contraception as a controversial issue is absurd and archaic. Most Catholics do not even follow the letter of their church';s teachings. http://www.sunstateactivist.org
The less they do the less they infringe on my freedoms and the less we have to borrow from China. Keep it that way!!!
I believe the Catholic Church teaches that each of us has free will. That means if - in this secular society (which I believe it should be) - that even if contraceptives are covered, it is up to each person to do what their conscience tells them to do. After I married, I had a baby in 1962, 1963 and 1964, like steps. It was then I decided I needed to take care of my own fate as the Church sure was not going to help support me and 20 kids, or I guess according to them, I should have just given up sex (which of course, according to the Church, is only allowed in the sanctity of marriage). Talk about a Catch 22. And if you're not going to support women's health and contraception, then please quit supplying men with Viagra. And also, you might keep your priests in check regarding the sex thing. According to the Church we are born with free will. It would be nice to exercise it and deal with our own mortality in the way we choose, not to have religious zealots choose for us.
most Catholic universities and hospitals already offer prescription insurance to cover contraception.
!!! This simple fact needs wider exposure.
Amy, thanks for mentioning that again. I have said it, too. It makes the Catholic Church look a bit hypocritical in complaining now when they already have it in the Prescription Drug Plans at hospitals and universities only with a co-pay.
The most dangerous side to this controversy is that the Catholic Church expects laws to be bent to accommodate their tenets. The day we start bending laws to favor religious beliefs is the day we lose our freedom from religion.
Why was there no outrage from the Catholic Church when the 28 states made them go along with the same requirement?
I would probably feel differently if contraception weren't a policy that has pushed many, like me, away from the Church and which so many of its members disregard.
Challenge to the media, how about changing the subject from the Obama Administration decision to why the republicans are waging a war on women's rights to use birth control? Thought the right was big on "individual liberty". Why is it acceptable for the religious institutions to force their views and their doctrine on women who do not have the same beliefs? That's the discussion we should be having. The recent decision does NOT require anyone who does not believe in birth control to purchase birth control or participate in any of the other parts of this decision. The choice remains that of the individual.
Jody, I agree. Why aren't we talking about why Republicans are suddenly bringing back old, settled controversies from the 50's? Why doesn't anyone ever bring up the incongruity of the fact that these same people who are vociferously advocating against abortion, are now strongly advocating against the one thing that can be and has been effective in reducing the number of abortions? This is craziness! And everyone's going around acting as if this is a rational discussion to be having at this point in our history. Amazing!
Heartlight3, it is amazing. Sometimes I think the talking heads on the media just speak to hear their heads rattle. It is as Feisty said above, a nontroversy.
But Jody, sadly, the nontroversy will be used by the right-wing candidates to bolster their War on Religion fabricated talking point.
Jody - HL3 - the reason the GNOP has to resort to controversies from the '50s and '60s is that they want to bring the US backwards and not forwards...As I tell all my the students I teach - the only constant is change....and that's somethng the GNOP can't accept...They'd rather us live in the dark ages, have women be barefoot and in the kitchen...
Remember - there have been no new ideas floated by any of their caintdidates as to how to solve the problems here other than involve ourselves in other countries wars, tax cuts for the rich and cutting the safety nets for those less fortunate....
Thank you, Thank you. That is what I see is a WAR on Women's Rights by the Religious Organizations and for sure the Republican Party.
You would think this Country is Anti Woman. Women's Reproductive Rights is all the Republicans have to campaign on every Election Cycle. I wish they would start campaigning on "Penis Control".
I would like to see Pelosi introduce a 'Bobbitt' amendment for those who wish to control our bodies...
Be careful what you wish for! Treating the Catholics differently will raise the Sharia Law issue again. If you make an exception for one religion, why not for others?
The real issue facing America is the economy, jobs, trade, the US Tax Code, training programs, and closing tax loop holes for corporations. "Mickey Mouse Mitch McConnell" the GOP/RNC "Zombie" GOP Lobbyist is using the 'Contraception' issue to destroy an American President. The "Insane McCain Clan" in the US Senate is using the potlical GOP/RNC strategy of "Distraction" from the real issue of the economy. The GOP/RNC "Hoodlum's On The Hill" have NO plan for our economy, however the GOP/Tea Begger "Zombies" are all about "Contraception." The real issue here is the health of all American Women, and has nothing to do with Religious Freedom of our citizens. Now "Bonehead Boehner" is "Super Spewing" about how women have NO right to their own health issues. Which is Unconstitutional on his part, and he is "Distorting" the issue of Religious Freedom. That is fact! The "Special" TeaBegger "Crazy Cantor" loves to attack the President on anything. The GOP/RNC Lobbyists will not give this much attention to job creation, creating a fair tax code, developing a fair trade policy, and strengthening incentives for US Corporations to work in America. This GOP/RNC Clown Show is in full "Comedy Mode," and the GOP Lobbyists only care about the top 1% only. Now the "Bonehead Boehner Bunch" have more true convictions for continuing the "Brainless Bush" Tax Cuts. Ending Social Security, and lowering the tax brackets for the very rich is the "True View" of the GOP/RNC. The "Crazy Conservatives" have NO interest in economic equality, reading, researching information, intellectual thought, educational opportunities, ethnic tolerance, world peace, Women's Rights, and taking our nation forward. It would have been nice poltically/economically for our nation. If the parents of "Bonehead Boehner'" and "Crazy Cantor" had stressed intellectual thought more. That is fact!
So true, Progressive.
What gets me is, when journalists interview actual Republican voters, their concerns are not terribly ideological: jobs, the economy, the high cost of food and gas, worry over the housing market, basic stuff like that.
But, what are Republican candidates talking about? Contraception, about who is more godly, who has sufficiently repented their adulterous affairs and who hasn't. Newt likes to blather on about old battles with Democrats. Republicans don't listen to the real concerns of their own voters, never mind the Independents'.
And, when Republican politicians get into office, their agenda boils down to: keeping taxes low for the wealthiest and deregulating polluting industries and the finacial sector.
"Bonehead Boehner" has NOT put our economy first, and has forgotten on how too create jobs. On the "Bonehead's Desk" is the continuing of the Pay Roll Tax Cuts that effects 99% of hard working Americans. The "Hoodlum's On The Hill" are instead debating. Contraception??? Where are the jobs "Crazy Cantor??" Hey "Bonehead Boehner!" What is the GOP/RNC Retraining Plan for our Military Veterans coming back from the "Bush Wars??" Here is a good question America. If a Military Veteran is injured from the "Wars For Oil?" Which causese this individual the inabliity to work, and needs Govenment Programs too live. Does that make this injured Military Veteran a Communist/Socialist?? Does this injured Military Veteran need to take a bath? The GOP/RNC Clowns/Speculators would say that this injured Military Veteran is making excuses, not working hard enough, and is not a true American. This is the severe "Mental Madness" of the GOP/TeaBeggers. That is fact!
Frankly, I think this is much ado about nothing. If it really bugs a medical service provider perhaps they can get special permission to violate the hipocratic oath and deal with their religion issues over health issues. Personally I really have had no issues with accepting the reality of abortion in our society. As a Catholic I personally oppose abortion but I also realize that my beliefs are not those of everyone else and we need to respect the beliefs of everyone when we provide services to the public.
Rob in MA 318--There is a point being missed. Pills and contraceptives in vending machines= Freedom to acquire or not. Do you want to prevent free access to legal drugs and devices because you know better or have Divine Insight about how OTHER people should comport themselves and feel obligated/ empowered to control them? Let's ask them! The Catholic hierarchy is being bamboozled by the Right into stirring up what is a non-issue for most. My daughter works for a non-religious firm that excludes contraception from the company medical coverage. They and other NON-churches should not be able to continue discriminating based on this issue.
Look, I'm not going to weigh in on the rights and/or wrongs of whether the Catholic Church should be made to offer family planning. I will merely ask this question:
How many of the voices crying foul because they believe that the Catholic Church should not be forced to offer access to contraception and family planning are the same voices that screamed at the top of their lungs in protest of Park51 and The Cordoba Initiative?
My good friend who happens to be Catholic, as I am, emailed me to decry the attack on the tenants of our religion. The following was my response.
Oh, you must be kidding. I was an alter-boy. Tell me where it is in the Catholic core tenants that you can know of children being sexually abused, condone it through apathy, and cover it up when you will be subjected to monetary damages. Twenty years ago, a girlfriend, of Linda (my wife) was going to convert to Catholic for her second husband. She met with the parish priest and informed him that she had four children and was going to stay on the pill. It was a young priest who stated; that will not be a problem, end of story.
Catholic tenants; parishioners couldn't eat meat on Friday, but now they can. They had to attend mass on Sunday and a violation was a mortal sin. Then it was decided Saturday evening would be OK. Almost every sane Catholic women has been on birth control at some time or another. When heart transplants were first performed, having one was an affront to God according to the church. Now priests are allowed to have them. I hope you can catch my drift here, and recognize that witch burning and the inquisition are now illegal, not to mention incredibly foolish in retrospect.
Great post, Michael. This has been my problem--the Catholics all outraged over a policy that an overwhelming majority of their own members don't follow.
Please educate the People. Tell me what you think of my comments.
We on the left are missing the danger here. We cannot comfort ourselves that a majority of voting Catholics support Obama's position. That doesn't translate to a majority of Catholics voting for Obama. What this does is harden the positions of anti-Obama voters. It motivates them to donate time and money to the GOP. The GOP does not have to be concerned about losing any of these votes even if the economy improves. Those who applaud or approve Obama's policy are not similarly motivated. Face it, if you can convince your group of crazies that the other guy is the anti-Christ, it is very likely to motivate.
100% agree WM, and it is why the Catholic Church should lose their exempt tax status. They have entered the political foray where they have no business being. Of course the right wing loves this as they want our political system run by religion and religious doctrine.
Over and over again, we have religion in this country attempting to dominate the political landscape and force their views on all American citizens. Mormons did this with Prop 8, and now Catholics with AHCA. What we need are for all Americans to tell religions to stay the he!! out of politics.
Why doesn't this whole matter just fall under Roe v Wade? Isn't it a private matter what care a woman receives from her doctor?
It apparently is not when health insurance is the issue. The anti women conservatives want to stop reproductive health services any way they can.
This is something the Republicans have jumped on to make the President look bad. Since the President's poll numbers and the Economy are moving in the Right Direction, they have nothing else to bitch about.
I am still waiting for any Host of a Political Show or Pundit to make it abundantly Clear that this is not against any teachings of the Church. Those people who totally believe that their Priest and Bishop or the Church is more powerful that God will not even think about using this provision in the Medical Plan.
Instead of the Media doing what they should be doing ILLUMINATING INSTEAD TRYING TO CREATE CONTROVERSY where there should be none, the Media would rather make a Controversy. The Obama Administration IS NOT, IS NOT, I repeat interfering with the Catholic Churches teachings, especially when this is a provision in Health Care that you have the FREEDOM TO IGNORE and follow the Church's teachings.
What is the Church afraid of is that all of a sudden people will stop having babies? I know why the Republicans are jumping on it, because the ONLY thing Republicans TROT OUT every Election Cycle is Women's Reproductive Rights. They have nothing else to campaign on.
Most Catholics take Birth Control anyway, if they didn't everyone would be the Duggards, Baby No. 20.
This is why Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have become the most Trusted Journalists in America.
The Republican Candidates, they should just shut up with their lies. Why Does Rick Santorum only have 7 kids, could his wife not give him 14? Newt has had 3 Wives, he should have at least 30 kids. Romney why did he and Ann stop at 5-7, where are their 14 or more?
If some women refuse to be Baby-making machines, that should be their right as free citizens of this Country. All I see going on by the Republicans with the help of the Media and Religious Demagoguery and Anti-Woman laws.
As a clergyman for over 30 years, I am deeply opposed to the intrusion of government into religious institutions. However, to interpret the
recent government decision requiring some Catholic institutions to cover
contraceptive health care for their employees as such an intrusion is wrong.
Every day, the mission of the Catholic Church is advanced by millions of non-Catholic employees in schools, hospitals and universities, who do not share the Catholic Church’s view of contraception. A Baptist teacher in a Catholic High School, a Muslim Cardiologist in a Catholic Hospital, or a JewishOb/Gyn might routinely use contraceptive methods the Catholic Church deems unethical or immoral. The Catholic
Church does not have an ethical problem employing those people. It only objects to having to pay for their contraceptive care.
This is ethically inconsistent. If the Catholic Church truly finds contraception immoral or unethical, one must ask why it employs so many unethical, immoral people who use it. If they truly believe birth control makes sex an act of lust, why would they employ such immoral, lustful people in their elementary schools? Would the church find it morally acceptable to employ a known serial killer as long as they don’t have to buy the bullets?
It is well know that many Catholics,including many Catholic leaders, no longer embrace the archaic view of human sexuality that serves as the philosophical foundation of the Church’s teaching on contraception. Catholic couples
routinely ignore this teaching, and are not excommunicated. Employees in Catholic institutions are allowed access to contraception, and are not dismissed. It is disingenuous for Catholic leaders to appeal to this medieval and largely ignored doctrine as an excuse for refusing to cover contraceptive care, simply so church might save untold millions of dollars in health care expenses. It is utterly hypocritical for Catholic Bishops to look the other way almost all the time, then claim contraception is a deeply-held Catholic value when they are asked to pay.
Faith must never be used as an excuse for unfairness or discrimination. Only the truly naive or political opportunists would dare suggest this is about religious liberty. This is about nothing more than money, the root of all kinds of
evil.
The Bishops and Mr. Donahue are being disingenuous. They are actually trying to bring the whole health care law up again. They were never for it, and they think this could be their second bite at the apple. The Nuns in the Church were for the health care bill. They should probably be more worried if they will keep their tax-exempt status. They are the one who seem to be crossing the line. This is already been settled law in 28 states.
If we allow religion to dictate what medical coverage we can have, then what is to stop that christian sect which does not believe in blood transfusions from deciding they will not cover that because of conscience? Where do we stop this?