Over the years, I’ve become disillusioned with many aspects of politics. I’ve often written in this editorial space how unfair, self-seeking and manipulative politicians can be, but as I type these words, a few more adjectives come to mind: insensitive, contradictory and just plan foolish.
I’ve been behind the political scene and it’s an ugly game. People nearly sell their souls to make deals that often benefit the elected official and rarely their constituents.
Needless to say, I often grow tired of the political games and posturing of lawmakers and their wanna-be counterparts; be it Republicans, Democrats or independents. However, despite my political frustration, I remain committed to staying engaged in the political process and educating myself on various local and national agenda items. Rarely am I completely taken aback by a particular bill because quite honestly, with the direction this country seems to be headed, few things surprise me anymore. But every now and again, something not only throws me a bit, but it also angers me considerably.
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives can be blamed for my most recent tirade.
Last week, Republicans passed a budget that eliminated support of Title X of the Public Health Service Act, the federally-funded program that provides birth control, cancer screenings and testing for HIV as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. Taking things a step further, our own Rep. Mike Pence, (R-Ind.), offered an amendment that would prohibit any financing to Planned Parenthood.
Another aspect of the GOP bill would cut $50 million from a grant that supports programs providing prenatal health care to nearly three million low-income women and health care to 31 million children a year. So I suppose that if a low-income woman, even one who is raped, chooses not to have an abortion, she also won’t be able to get help for health care assistance for the child. Sorry Republicans, but this is all so contradictory.
I have some questions for Pence and his fellow House Republicans: how are we to eliminate instances of STDs and reduce HIV infections if people, poor people specifically, can’t get treated or screened for the various diseases? How are we supposed to save lives through early detection if people don’t have access to cancer screenings? And since you and the rest of your Republican counterparts are against abortions, how can the abortion rate decrease if you are denying millions of women access to affordable contraception?
Despite the fact that the Republican-passed budget simply isn’t logical, the thing that is even more mind-boggling to me is that the United States is supposed to be one of the best, most respected and thriving countries in the world, yet we’re taking away basic freedoms. Freedoms that under-poverished countries allow. Even countries like India and Africa have family planning programs.
Where have we gone wrong?
I’m not sure how or when this country’s obsession with controlling a woman’s right to choose what she wants for her body and life initially began, but it certainly isn’t new. Former President George W. Bush previously made a decision to protect health providers who didn’t perform abortions, wouldn’t provide emergency contraception to rape victims, or fill basic prescriptions for contraceptives. Fortunately, President Barack Obama rescinded Bush’s measure.
With all that this country is faced with, there are so many more things to be concerned with than a woman’s right to choose. Let’s tackle this yo-yo economy, underperforming students, the homeless epidemic, political corruption, and the ever-growing problem with identity theft. There are also gang wars and sexual predators to worry about. Oh, and how about this country figuring out a way to stop being so dependent on other entities to produce our oil; making them richer and Americans poorer.
You can e-mail comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
