Trading Women’s Rights for Political Power

[groovedaddy]

A GRIM reality sits behind the joyful press statements from Washington Democrats. To secure passage of health care legislation in the House, the party chose a course that risks the well-being of millions of women for generations to come.

House Democrats voted to expand the current ban on public financing for abortion and to effectively prohibit women who participate in the proposed health system from obtaining private insurance that covers the full range of reproductive health options. Political calculation aside, the House Democrats reinforced the principle that a minority view on the morality of abortion can determine reproductive health policy for American women.

Many House members who support abortion rights decided reluctantly to accept this ban, which is embodied in the Stupak-Pitts amendment. They say the tradeoff was necessary to advance the right to guaranteed health care. They say they will fight another day for a woman’s right to choose.

Perhaps. But they can’t ignore the underlying shift that has taken place in recent years. The Democratic majority has abandoned its platform and subordinated women’s health to short-term political success. In doing so, these so-called friends of women’s rights have arguably done more to undermine reproductive rights than some of abortion’s staunchest foes. That Senate Democrats are poised to allow similar anti-abortion language in their bill simply underscores the degree of the damage that has been done.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/opinion/12michelman.html?th&emc=th

[niyad]

1. women hold up half the sky, but are completely disposable in this country

[Captain Hilts]

2. Women's rights are negotiable. Nothing new here....move along...nt

[noiretextatique]

3. unfortunately, it isn't new

the same thing happened to blacks, workers, and GLBT people. how a party can continue to expect support while alienatin and selling out its most loyal supporters is a mystery to me. the other guy is worse seems to be the guiding principle of the democratic party, and unfortunately, that is true.

[groovedaddy]

5. The domination of the two party system. It needs some new, viable competition. n.t

[mzclinton05]

6. A Woman's Worth

I don't think there's enough women in politics to represent our country. It's not just a man's world anymore, women need to make their voices heard with bigger positions like Nancy Pelosi or Hillary Clinton. Sexism needs to go once and for all. Period!

[juno jones]

4. K&R! n/t