I know I talked about this last week but apparently no one listened to me and the men that be are still debating the issue of my uterus. And Courtney’s. It’s so cute that all these men think that my uterus is of such huge concern to them. It’s HUGELY clear to me that these are the experts on all thing uteri and contraception. Do you think any one of these men has ever bought a condom let alone be the people that should be representing your children?
I don’t think that contraception should be discussed at all by my legislature, my congressMAN or my President. But do I think the church should be telling insurance companies what to do either? NO. If I’m Catholic (which I’m not) and my church is telling me that contraception is wrong, well that’s an issue between me and my church. Not me and my government or by the laws that were passed by my government in response to my church.
But I just don’t understand how we got here. Why are we discussing this at all? My insurer should offer me birth control, and not just as a measure to prevent unwanted births. People take the pill for a myriad of reasons. We certainly wouldn’t want to allow women to take the pill to save their lives or anything. The pill can:
- Slash your risk for both endometrial and ovarian cancer by more than 70 percent after 12 years; even just one to five years may lower your risk by 40 percent.
- Lighten and lessen your period, making it less painful.
- Provide endometriosis pain relief.
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome relief (PCOS)
- And in the case of the friend of the woman who WASN’T permitted to speak at the House Oversite Committee hearing yesterday, it would have saved her uterus completely.
But it’s not just the church now, it’s a good thing I don’t live in VA. I would hate to think that I was considered a murderer because I chose to take the pill. Which is EXACTLY what they’re doing there. It’s TERRIFYING to me that this is taking place, that people are making these decisions.
Courtney’s not going to need the pill for many, many years. But I would hate to think that it won’t be an option for her in 15 years because if she does need it, she could go to jail. And if you think that making the pill and abortion illegal is going to solve all problems, think again. People will get an abortion any way they can, if they need one and the results aren’t always what you’d hope for.
Yep, as a Virginian I’m ashamed of our state (sorry, commonwealth) at the moment. Not only will the pill be murder, but if a woman wants an abortion, which was legal the last time I checked, she’ll have to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound. The government will force her to have a medically unnecessary treatment that she doesn’t want. Good thing I’ll be able to get Viagra over the phone when I need it!
These people just continue to prove that our government is broken.
I commented last week, and I thank you greatly for your very kind response (because I like to discuss things respectfully and not “fight” with people). The whole thing is a bad, bad quandary for all involved. I’m with you – they shouldn’t be discussing my uterus, or yours, or anyone’s. I am irate, especially, over Rick Santorum’s comments on the issue, about how BC promotes sex outside of marriage, he doesn’t see it as important or necessary, etc. Okay, whether or not I choose to have sex outside of marriage is not anyone else’s business but mine.
It makes me so angry that any woman is questioned or chastised for wanting or needing any form of birth control. You’re right – those men make me sick on this matter. I personally have suffered extreme negative side effects of The Pill, but I would never in my life try to limit someone else’s right to do what is best for their body.
On the other side, though, the whole reason this debate is taking place is because our President, Congress, House or Reps – NO BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT – should be MANDATING any private sector, employer, insurance provider, etc., that they MUST provide contraception, for free or otherwise. This goes for any service or product – eyeglasses, chemotherapy, breast enhancements, Viagra, whatever. This isn’t about Republicans vs. Democrats, or religion. This is about Obama (and the administration) vs. the Constitution. The way this all came about baffles me.
I wholeheartedly agree with the above comment, that this proves that our government is broken. Both parties are contributing to this disaster, and are playing politics with our liberties.
Even though we might disagree, I really do appreciate the chance to have respectful conversation on these topics. I never come to someone’s page trying to change anyone’s mind. I’m pretty angry with everyone in Washington right now.
P.S. I forgot to tell you last week that I’m in Atlanta, too : )