“There is actually a war on women. Abortion is one issue, but contraception and family planning and birth control are opposed by this crowd too.” – Nancy Pelosi speaking about Rs in Congress at the 2011 Women Money Power Summit[1]
The federal government struck a blow for “embattled” women by requiring contraception coverage to be included in their healthcare at no additional cost. Sections of the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act (aka Obamacare) become effective over several years. Contraception coverage becomes effective August 1, 2012 and mandates that non-profit religious employers supply contraception coverage to employees. On January 20, 2012, Department of HHS Secretary Katherine Sebelius issued a ruling :
“Today the department is announcing that the final rule on preventive health services will ensure that women with health insurance coverage will have access to the full range of the Institute of Medicine’s recommended preventive services, including all FDA-approved forms of contraception…Nonprofit employers who, based on religious beliefs, do not currently provide contraceptive coverage in their insurance plan, will be provided an additional year, until August 1, 2013, to comply with the new law.”[2]
Sebelius’ bureaucratic ruling cost the government nothing since employers must foot the bill for contraception coverage for their employees. Unfortunately, whenever government interferes in the market, prices go higher for everyone, and the cost is always more than the politicians predict.[3][4]
A Battle Between Faiths
“The HHS rule requires that sterilization and contraception – including controversial abortifacients – be included among ‘preventive services’ coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans.” – US Conference of Catholic Bishops Jan 20, 2012 News Release[5]
“Don’t impose your teaching upon us and make us do as a church what we find unconscionable to do!” – Cardinal Dolan Mar 3, 2012
The Catholic Church balked. Its religious leaders believe abortifacients, such as the “morning after pill,” are equivalent to abortion. Catholic leaders do not want Catholic employers to be forced to pay for things with which they disagree. Soon-to-be Cardinal Timothy Dolan explained:
“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.”[6]
In response, the Obama administration pretended to compromise with Catholics: if non-profit employers had religious objections, the insurance company would be forced to pay for contraception coverage instead.[7] This wouldn’t apply if the employer was self-insured, and ignores the economic fact that the employer ultimately pays for the contraception coverage when the insurer passes its costs on to the employer.[8]
On February 16, 2012, the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing on the contraceptives mandate and whether it violates religious liberties.[9] Democratic members wanted Sandra Fluke as a witness, but Darrell Issa (R), chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, wouldn’t let her testify. Issa pretends to be restraining the growth of government spending now that Obama is President, but Issa didn’t have a problem voting for the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act in 2003 when Bush was President.
Within a week, Congressman Elijah Cummings (D), and Nancy Pelosi (D), leader of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, had a hearing and let Fluke “testify” about her faith in the state and Big Brother:
“Leader Pelosi, Members of Congress, good morning, and thank you for calling this hearing on women’s health and allowing me to testify on behalf of the women who will benefit from the Affordable Care Act contraceptive coverage regulation…And so, I am here to share their voices and I thank you for allowing them to be heard.”[10][11]
Sluts and Teabaggers
“What does it say about the college co-ed Susan Fluke [sic] who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex. What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right?” – Rush Limbaugh on his Mar 6, 2012 radio show
“President Obama is going to be visiting Joplin, Missouri on Sunday but you know what they’re talking about, like this right-wing slut, what’s her name?” Laura Ingraham? Yeah, she’s a talk slut.” – Ed Schultz on his May 25, 2011 radio show
Gergen: "They still haven't found their voice, Anderson. This happens to a minority party after it's lost a couple of bad elections, but they're searching for their voice."
Cooper: "It's hard to talk when you're teabagging." - Discussion about the Republican Party on May 15, 2009 on the Anderson Cooper show on CNN
On his radio program, Rush Limbaugh called Sandra Fluke a ‘slut’ for asking for free contraceptive coverage. Limbaugh’s outburst came two weeks after Fluke spoke before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Immediately outrage was expressed in the media that Limbaugh had dared to utter such words and many called on advertisers to boycott Limbaugh’s radio program.
If you’re one of those outraged:
- Were you as upset and did you call for advertisers to boycott Ed Shultz’ show when he called talk radio host Laura Ingraham a slut the year before?
- Did you call for advertisers to boycott Anderson Cooper’s show on CNN when Cooper used an equally derogatory term to describe people in the Tea Party?[12]
- Did you call for a boycott when Rachel Maddow, who also opposes the Tea Party movement, called Tea Party members “teabaggers”?[13]
Even President Obama got into the performance. Comparing Fluke to his teenage and pre-teen daughters, Obama played along with the image of Fluke as a young girl and not a 30-year old woman. President Obama phoned Fluke and commended her for not being discouraged by name-calling:
"I wanted Sandra to know that I thought her parents should be proud of her and that we want to send a message to all our young people that being part of a democracy involves argument and disagreements and debate. We want you to be engaged, and there is a way to do it that doesn't involve you being demeaned and insulted."[14]
But the President has missed earlier opportunities to comment on “demeaning and insulting” commentary in the media against his political opponents, especially when it occurs at his own events. Ironically, in 2009, Wanda Sykes made outrageous comments about Rush Limbaugh and the President was not outraged—he was entertained. He laughed about it (video).
SYKES: “Rush Limbaugh! I hope the country fails? I hope his kidneys fail, how about that?”
(LAUGHTER)
SYKES: “Needs a little waterboarding, that's what he needs.” - Wanda Sykes speaking about Rush Limbaugh at National Press Club “roast” of President Obama on May 9, 2009 (video)
Why did Obama miss the earlier opportunities? Because it’s all just politics. Insults are ok if they’re directed at political opponents.
At an Obama rally in Michigan on Sep 5, 2011, Teamster Union Leader James Hoffa Jr. spoke about the Tea Party:
“Let’s take these son of a bitches out and give America back to an America where we belong.”[15]
Did Obama defend the Tea Party as “being demeaned and insulted” by Hoffa’s comments? Apparently not. When asked, the White House declined to comment.[16]
Like Hoffa’s comments, Fluke’s testimony was just politics. Fluke is a loyal soldier in the public relations battle for Obamacare and more federal government control of the healthcare industry. The President joined the debate under the guise of supporting her in the fight against the “Republican war on women.”[17] But when President Obama pretends to “send a message to all our young people that being part of a democracy involves argument and disagreements and debate,” it’s all just politics.
Lost in the controversy was the federal government mandate that the Catholic Church, as an employer, must pay for contraception for its employees—something that is an affront to the core values of the Church. If you were one of those outraged when a political pawn was called names, where is the same outrage when the government forces a private entity to do a thing that is antithetical to its core beliefs?
Catholic religious leaders and leaders of other faiths maintained that the contraceptive coverage provision of Obamacare forces them to violate their religious beliefs.[18] They all should have realized that they are free to believe what they want only as long as the state approves. The state is the ultimate arbiter of religious faith, as Katherine Sebelius said in her ruling:
“I believe this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.”[19]
Like the Jews of ancient Israel under Rome, US citizens are free to believe what they want, as long as they continue to make the appropriate religious sacrifices to their modern day emperor—Big Brother.
Which Are You?
“Just recently in the last several, couple debates, it’s come out the biggest story in Washington, it isn’t the wars that are going on and the killing and the bankruptcy. It’s, who pays for birth control pills. I would think, why wouldn’t the logical answer be – you know logic in Washington doesn’t sell all that well – why shouldn’t the logic be, whoever wants the birth control pills, why don’t they go buy them?” – Ron Paul speaking in Lawrence, KS March 9, 2012[20]
“Well I don’t want the government in the insurance business. This whole idea that the government can tell insurance company what they should give… When you’re talking about mandating birth control pills in an insurance program—that’s no longer insurance. It’s a mandate, it’s an entitlement.” – Ron Paul interviewed on Mar 2, 2012[21]
Our rulers and the media talk about contraception while the national debt exceeds $15.5 trillion.
Our rulers and the media talk about the “war on women” while the US military wages war overseas. The US government maintains hundreds of bases overseas, occupies Afghanistan and Iraq after horrific killing on both sides (e.g. graphic photos), and attacks Pakistan and Yemen with drones.
Sluts or teabaggers. Democrats or Republicans. What’s the difference?
Both want Big Brother to take care of them. Both trade liberty for security.
Which one are you?
______________________________________
[1] “Pelosi: There is a war on women,” by Jessica Yellin and Kevin Bohn, CNN, Apr 7, 2011, (Accessed at http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/07/pelosi-there-is-a-war-on-women/ on Mar 7, 2012).
[2] “A statement by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius,” Jan 20, 2012, US Dept of HHS, (Accessed at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/01/20120120a.html on Mar 16, 2012).
[3] Peter Schiff explains the economics of free contraception in this video.
See this for a history of federal government estimates of healthcare program costs.[3a]
[3a] “U.S. health plans have history of cost overruns,” The Washington Times, Nov 18, 2009, (Accessed at http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/18/health-programs-have-history-of-cost-overruns/print/ on Mar 25, 2012).
[4] In a 2009 speech to a joint session of Congress, Obama promised his proposed healthcare plan would cost “around $900 billion over 10 years.”[4a] The CBO projected $940 billion over 10 years for the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act of 2010 when it was passed into law. By March 13, 2012 the CBO increased its estimate to $1.76 trillion.[4b] Anyone surprised?
[4a] “REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT TO A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS ON HEALTH CARE,” Sep 9, 2009, U.S. Capitol,
Washington, D.C., (Accessed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-to-a-Joint-Session-of-Congress-on-Health-Careon Mar 14, 2012).
[4b] “Updated Estimates for the Insurance Coverage Provisions of the Affordable Care Act,” Congressional Budget Office, (Accessed at http://cbo.gov/publication/43076 on Mar 14, 2012).
But it’s not as bad as it seems: the CBO also estimates that the federal government will take in $509 billion in increased taxes and penalties on US citizens. Doesn’t that make the increase in socialized medicine more fiscally responsible?
[5] “U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict,” US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Jan 20, 2012, (Accessed at http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-012.cfm on Mar 13, 2012).
[6] Ibid.
[7] “Obama tweaks birth control rule,” By Richard Wolf, USA TODAY, Feb 10, 2012, (Accessed at http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/02/source-obama-to-change-birth-control-rule/1#.T266vtny9CI on Mar 24, 2012).
[8] “ Catholic Bishops Fight Contraception Rule at House Hearing,” By Louise Radnofsky, Feb 16, 2012, WSJ, (Accessed at http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/02/16/catholic-bishops-fight-contraception-rule-at-house-hearing/?KEYWORDS=health on Mar 25, 2012).
“The bishops say that the White House’s proposal for insurance companies to directly pay for and provide contraception to the employees of Catholic universities and hospitals and other religiously affiliated institutions couldn’t work because ‘the cost of providing those service are born some place.’”
[9] “Meet Sandra Fluke: The woman you didn’t hear at Congress’ contraceptives hearing,” by Sarah Kliff, Feb 16, 2012, (Accessed at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/meet-sandra-fluke-the-woman-you-didnt-hear-at-congress-contraceptives-hearing/2012/02/16/gIQAJh57HR_blog.html on Mar 25, 2012).
[10] Fluke’s testimony was not what is usually understood when someone testifies before Congress: the declaration of a witness under oath; her testimony can be better understood by an alternative definition: a public declaration regarding a religious experience. Fluke testified to her view of a god-like state fixing all of society’s ills.
[11] “Law Students for Reproductive Justice,” Sandra Fluke’s statement, (Accessed at http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/statement-Congress-letterhead-2nd%20hearing.pdf on Mar 25, 2012).
[12] “Anderson Cooper: ‘It's Hard to Talk When You're Teabagging’ (VIDEO),” by Alex Leo, May 25, 2011, Huffington Post, (Accessed at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/15/anderson-cooper-its-hard_n_187318.html on Mar 8, 2012).
[13] “’Tea Bagging’ Rallies Ruthlessly Mocked On Maddow Show,” by Jason Linkins, May 25, 2011, Huffington Post, (Accessed at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/09/rachel-maddow-ana-marie-c_n_185445.html on Mar 8, 2012).
[14] “Barack Obama Comments On Rush Limbaugh, The 'War On Women' ,” by Laura Bassett, Mar 6, 2012, Huffington Post, (Accessed at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/barack-obama-rush-limbaugh-war-on-women_n_1324517.html on Mar 8, 2012).
[15] “Hoffa On Tea Party: ‘Let’s Take These Sons Of Bitches Out!’,” By Mary Bruce, Sep 5, 2012, ABC News, (Accessed at http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/09/hoffa-on-tea-party-lets-take-these-sons-of-bitches-out/ on Mar 25, 2012).
[16] “White House Declines To Comment On Union Leader’s Anti-Tea Party Rhetoric At Labor Day Rally,” by Mary Bruce and Jake Tapper, Sep 5, 2012, ABC News, (Accessed at http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/09/white-house-declines-to-comment-on-union-leaders-anti-tea-party-rhetoric-at-labor-day-rally-2/ on Mar 25, 2012).
[17] “Asked About “Distasteful” Language from Liberal Commentators, President Obama Says He Aims to Lead by Example,” by Jake Tapper, Mar 6, 2012, (Accessed at http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/asked-about-distasteful-language-from-liberal-commentators-president-obama-says-he-aims-to-lead-by-example/ on Mar 8, 2012).
“If President Obama truly lead by example, he would make phone calls to other embattled women. By selecting Fluke, who supports his program, he shows he is merely playing partisan politics.”
[18] “HHS delays, but does not change, rule on contraceptive coverage,” Catholic News Herald, Feb 28, 2012, (Accessed at http://news.charlottediocese.net/n/component/content/article/1337-business-leaders-decry-hhs-contraception-mandate?start=9 on Mar 28, 2012).
[19] “A statement by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius,” Jan 20, 2012, US Dept of HHS, (Accessed at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/01/20120120a.html on Mar 16, 2012).
In a press conference responding to questions about the loss of freedom associated with a mandate that forces Catholics to violate their religious beliefs, note how conveniently the politics of fear helps the Press Secretary when a question about Iran and al Qaeda serves as a convenient distraction from the loss of liberty at home. Note that this occurs both times questions about the contraception mandate come up.[19a]
[19a] “White House Press Secretary on HHS contraception mandate,” by Grant Gallicho, Commonweal Magazine, Jan 31, 2012, (Accessed at http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=17042 on Mar 13, 2012).
Press Secretary Carney:
“The decision was made, as we have said in the past and Secretary Sebelius has said, after very careful consideration, and the administration believes that this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious beliefs and increasing access to important preventive services. We will continue to work closely with religious groups during this transitional period to discuss their concerns.”
[20] “RON PAUL IN LAWRENCE, KS FRIDAY, MARCH 9,” by Anthony Terrell, Mar 9, 2012, NBC News (Accessed at http://www.facebook.com/notes/anthony-terrell/ron-paul-in-lawrence-ks-friday-march-9/264075443672500 on Mar16, 2012).
[21] “Ron Paul Tells Piers Morgan The Contraception Mandate is ‘Silly’,” by Michael Hayes, Mar 2, 2012, (Accessed at http://www.mediaite.com/uncategorized/ron-paul-tells-piers-morgan-the-contraception-mandate-is-silly/ on Mar 25, 2012).
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