Nancy Pelosi, our country's first female House Speaker and a defender of abortion, had to give in to fellow Democrats opposed to abortion and allow tight restrictions on insurance money that women can use to have abortions. The restrictions were nessecary in order to get support for the bill overall; however, it is not without qualms that this part of the bill should stand. Representative Diana DeGette, D. of Colorado, left Pelosi's office Friday very upset, calling this the biggest restriction on a woman's right to choose in her career. Democrat of Connetnicut Rosa Delora agreed, saying it "invades women's personal desicions". However, both said they would vote for the health care bill and fight for changes later on in the bill process. Democrats have fought internally over abortion since the 1980's, and now a more conservative anti abortion majority sits in the Democratic party.
I find it very strange that Democrats would be anti-abortion, because Democrats are supposed to be more liberal. However, both Democrats and Republicans are politicans; they all want power, they just target different groups of people to get it. This fight just goes to show that there is still a lot of sexism in American society, and it cuts across all political afflilations. Pelosi butted heads the most with Democrat Bart Stupak, a leader in the anti-abortion party. These types of men, and a few women who serve as male mouthpieces, such as Sarah Palin, have a tendency to think that they can control what a woman should do with her body, thereby still having the upper hand over the female sex. Unfortunately, I believe there will never be full equality between the sexes; men have always been thought of as better than women throughout history and despite some changes, I think that underlying attitude is still alive and well today.
Here is the article: http://nytimes.com/2009/11/08/health/policy/08scene.html?_r=1&hp
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This is dissapointing. Although abortion is wrong, it shouldn't be restricted. People shouldn't be control of a woman and her body, it is her responsibility. I know people who had abortions, had a child at a young age & given it up for adoption and friends who kept their child. All of them are happy either way. Abortion should still be an option, otherwise people will practice it illegally, which may lead to death.
ReplyDeleteThe decision was to make it so women's health care wouldn't cost from 2-48% more than men's. While this decision was important, it wasn't right. I believe that the health insurance bill is being rushed far too much and needs to be discussed more. America has waited years for better health care, politicians should wait to make sure it will be a good change rather than rushing it to push their own political agendas.
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