This morning on
Meet the Press, the Governors of Maryland and Virginia, Democrat and Republican
respectively, took positions and debated many different topics. Governor
O’Malley of Maryland spoke about the move of the GOP to the fringe right. “If
you look at the presidential campaign, I mean let’s be honest, there has been a
lot more time spent pandering to the extreme right-wing ideologues of the new
Republican Party than has been spent talking about jobs and the economy,” This
was immediately rebutted by Governor McDonnell. McDonnell spoke about how the discussions
on social issues have been a political move by the Democrats to avoid
discussing the economy. “McDonnell said he thinks Democrats are just trying to
shift attention away from jobs, the economy and the nation’s debt by focusing
on social issues, because the nation is still struggling economically”
(Associated Press).
In
what universe is Governor McDonnell living in? The move towards social issues
has exclusively been a Republican effort in many state legislatures. The move
towards social issues, specifically birth control and abortion rights, have
been acted upon in Kansas, Texas, and Governor McDonnell’s home state of
Virginia. In all three of these cases, which is just a small sample set, all legislation
that relates to these social issues have been Republican-led.
It is utter
hypocrisy to claim that the constant focus on social issues is Democratic
gamesmanship when the GOP continues to introduce anti-choice legislation. I’m
sorry Governor McDonnell, but no Democrat forced you to support the trans-vaginal
ultrasound bill, that ultimately had to be amended due to political pressure.
It is cowardice to claim that Democrats are the ones bringing these arguments
to the forefront to avoid talking about the economy and jobs, when it is
clearly the Republican position to try and shed decade’s worth of pro-choice
legislation. Essentially, the Republicans are saying: “How dare you oppose our
invasive encroachment on your constitutionally protected civil rights!”
On the point of
constitutionality, this debate had seen its resolution in the Supreme Court
case of Griswold vs. Connecticut, where they found the constitution protected
the right to privacy. This was not a recent decision made by the Supreme Court.
This was decided in 1965. This should not be what encompasses political
relevance in 2012.
Republicans can
spin their legislation any way they want. But to not take ownership of the legislation
they are putting forward, and passing into law in many cases, is cowardice. It
is their party’s choice to make the social agenda relevant again. Republicans
should tread carefully, as the legislation being put forth directly impacts
close to half of the United States population. This demographic does not take
kindly to others deciding what is right and wrong for their own bodies and
their own circumstances. If Republicans think they can continue to push this
type of legislation without political kickback in the form of voter turnout,
they will be sorely mistaken.
Md. Gov. O’Malley, Va. Gov. McDonnell Debate Economic and
Social Issues in
Presidential race. (2012, March
11). Washington Post. Retrieved March
11, 2012
I agree completely. These issues were pretty much settled among Democrats. Republicans keep bringing up issues which were settled decades ago. I think that will reflect badly upon them especially in the presidential race. Openly saying to women that you support taking away their civil rights definitely isn't going to win their votes, except perhaps for a few females on the far right.
ReplyDeletePersonally, these debates over undebatable personal rights have completely turned me off from these republicans. I think any woman who would vote for these republicans is a fool. Even if a woman would not be personally affected by some of the attempted changes, the actions of the republicans reflect that they view women in need of policing, unable to make responsible personal choices for themselves. I would vote for some crazy scientologist candidate before I would vote for a republican who views me as less of a rational person as his fellow WASPs at the golf club.
I agree as well. In times of great trial, people go to the greatest point of stability or comfort. For a lot of these old, white men, this includes reducing women to a level below them. Equality as a woman is relatively new in our history (if women can yet even be considered equal is still questionable). The Rabbi Joseph Edelheit said "Never take away the rights of someone that you wouldn't want taken from you". I think this is something that current law makers need to consider when they continue to push these laws.
ReplyDeleteWell-taken views by the Op-ed author and by the commenters. This blows the mind of someone like me that remembers the half-century ago that such matters appeared to be settled. But their strange reappearance is grist for considering a Q-study on the different ways these issues are "framed." Maybe I'm just not getting it insofar as the Rick Santorum-like Republicans are concerned.
ReplyDelete