Would someone out there please explain to my why the right to birth control and abortion = automatic funding. I’m so sick to death of hearing that taking away funding for abortions is taking away someone’s right to something.
For instance, I have a right to own a gun. In fact, most Americans do if they don’t have some sort of violent crime record. Does that mean that if I want a gun, the government should give me one? Does that mean that someone out there owes me a gun because I have the right to own one?
Let’s say I need a gun for my safety. Let’s say my life depends on it. Let’s say I live out in Montana in bear country and I will not be able to go on my daily walk if I’m not carrying a gun. Will the government give me one then?
What about elective surgeries. Multiple studies prove that pretty people get more attention, interview better and easily make more money. Does that mean that everyone who is ugly is entitled to plastic surgery because their future happiness depends on it? If I am born with a huge nose, it’s not enough to have the right to surgery. I shouldn’t have to pay for it.
The Obama administration is trying to make this claim. In order for the right to birth control, abortive medications, or an abortion itself, it should be free. Well, it should be free to those who want them. Someone, though, will pay.
The one right which is not looked on too favorably by Obama is the right to practice religion. You see, if you are a religious organization and have employees, you are required to pay for their “right” to this type of care even though it goes against your beliefs. In the eyes of Obama, you can believe whatever you want. It shouldn’t effect your actions, though. Your actions should be whatever he says. He’s not asking for your heart. He’s asking for your cash.
He does not believe that where your treasure is, there your heart is. He believes you can spend money on something you hate and your heart will not be affected. He’s asking you to believe that too.
This tangent was raised in me when I read this article recently which is a call from the Catholic church saying they don’t want to have to pay for health care that covers these procedures and medications that are directly against their belief system. I’m not Catholic. I’m Lutheran who is pro-life. Currently the Catholic church does pay for health care for their employees that omits these controversial, optional points. They are not against universal health care. They just don’t define birth control as maintaining “health.”
In their eyes, (and mine) abortions means death, not health. As far as medications, the pill is essentially breaking a perfectly healthy organ of the body with the hopes of it being temporary. The morning after pill is the same exact pill as “the pill” just a higher dosage. I say “hopes of it being temporary” because even in my small circle of friends, I know a handful that have had trouble getting pregnant after being on the pill for many years, or suffered multiple, “unexplained” miscarriages after coming off the pill…which are both associated with that medication. How is that maintaining health?
If abortion is a right, and sex is a basic human need, why isn’t the government providing sex as well? If that is a basic human need, they should be making prostitutes available. What would we say to any man who demanded sex from a woman because sex was a basic need of his, and he was entitled to it?
If going to church is a right, why do I have to tithe? The government should be paying my pastor to maintain my spiritual health. Isn’t spiritual health important? It’s my right to have one.
In fact, maybe we should be handing out cars to people who get their driver’s license! I mean, they have just received the right to drive. We wouldn’t want to hinder that right based on finances. Maybe they need a car for their job. Are you saying they should be unemployed because they don’t have a car?
Whether or not I agree with it (and I don’t) I simply do not understand the logic. Why should something be paid for because it is a right? Why should the government decide what I need and who should provide it for me? Pulling funding on abortions would no more be damaging to a woman’s right to reproductive health than pulling funding for handing out guns to single mothers trying to protect their kids in gang infested neighborhoods. O wait…
BUT you say, if you hand out free guns someone may get killed or physically hurt.
My point exactly.
added 2/1/2012:
I want to thank those who have chosen to comment. I’ve actually been surprised that the comments for the most part have been pretty respectful on both sides. There are many I disagree with, but have left up because I think they are made with the intent to discuss the issue. There are some that cheer me on, and I most definitely left those up! There has been a small handful that I deleted and that’s because they were either on the verge of being nasty, or just made me want to throw up or shout at someone. It’s not that the person doesn’t have the right to their opinion, but this is still my blog and I have the freedom to be the judge of what to leave up and what to delete. On this particular page, censorship is my right. If someone wants to exercise their freedom of speech, I suggest they start their own blog and write as much as they like.)
Anonymous says
January 30, 2012 at 10:30 pmWow! Those are some interesting thoughts. Do you have an opinion on the rape issue, the incest issue and what about government run programs such as WIC and Food Stamps? Don’t think we should have those either?
Birth Control, in my eyes, is a choice for some people to be responsible. Some people believe that life is not all about procreating. And yes, from that statement you probably can infer that I am not a religious person, just a law abiding citizen.
Thanks for your time.
Gretchen R says
January 30, 2012 at 10:41 pmVery good questions, and very respectfully said! Thank you for that! I’m not saying whether or not birth control is responsible. My family currently uses the FAM method, and that was our decision. My insurance did not pay for my education of FAM. It seems they only recognize birth control where pharmiceuitical companies get some profit.
I would think if you chose to live a lifestyle like that, you should be able to support it financially. In cases of rape and incest, I’m sure there are many non-profits that would come to their aid. I can think of a handful off the top of my head.
As far as WIC and welfare…I have my thoughts but they don’t directly relate to this post. I don’t judge anyone who uses these services, but I do believe non-profits would do a better job of it than the government. The difference there is giving food to hungry people isn’t against my religious beliefs…and I can’t think of a religion that would be against that off the top of my head.
melicity says
January 30, 2012 at 11:13 pmI read your blog often (almost daily) but don’t usually comment. I find that your post today was extremely well written and I applaud you for speaking out for what you believe. I am in complete agreement with you and wish that more like-minded people would be bold enough to speak out the way you have.
Stacey says
January 31, 2012 at 12:53 amWonderful post. Thank you. 🙂
Singing Pilgrim says
January 31, 2012 at 12:57 amI totally agree. I am pro-life, and my future husband and I have already decided not to use hormone based birth control after we marry because one of the (many) ways it prevents pregnancy is by making it hard or impossible for a fertilized egg to implant on the uteran lining. (This is only IF the other ways it prevents don’t work, making us not be legalistic about this, but deciding that the chance was too much for our beliefs.)…
However, I do take birth control pills now. I am not sexually active. I have a hormone disorder though, and I had my period for over around a year straight (every. single. day.) until I got on the pill. So right now I’m on it, and my fiance and I aren’t sure if we’ll feel it necessary in the future or not…
However, I can get my pills for $9 at Walmart.
I like to show two sides of the story and so I’m saying that in some situations, birth control is used for non-ethically wrong medical intervention (this example is not the only one) so by not covering it a medical insurance could be denying someone who needs it, without violating the employer’s ethics.
But also saying, it’s not that expensive if you go with generic. So I think it’s fine if it’s not covered. I just like pointing out the exceptions to rules and having people think about stuff they may not have before… but I do actually agree with your post! 🙂
Anonymous says
January 31, 2012 at 1:17 amIt’s me again…the anonymous one. I like how we all can have different opinions and it’s ok! Thanks for getting me to think about this issue and others! I’ll be quiet now.
Anonymous says
January 31, 2012 at 2:39 amHow is WIC like abortion or contraceptives? It’s a wonderful program that not only helps women and children pay for healthy foods but also supports them with breastfeeding and educates them on the importance of nutrition.
Meaghan says
January 31, 2012 at 3:25 amI think you make some interesting points…. But you are obviously quite misinformed on PRESIDENT Obama’s goals as far as health care/abortions go.
Every single woman should have the right to choose whether or not she wants to have a baby. I am going to make some assumptions, based on your blog, for argument’s sake. My first assumption will be that you have more children than an average woman your age because you and your husband choose to refrain from birth control. Second assumption will be that this is because you are against methods such as the pill, leading to my third assumption which is that as someone who is not using birth control and is a practicing Christian, you did not have sex before marriage.
Each of these decisions were all your personal choice. Personally, I disagree with all of them and have made different choices for myself. I do not believe that the choices you have made for yourself and your family are wrong. To be clear, these choices are no birth control, no pre marital sex, and the choice to be a Christian.
I think an important aspect of this country is that each individual has (or should have) the right to make choices such as these without judgment. Just because someone else decides that they want to have sex out of wedlock, and they want to take birth control pills, they should not lose their own option to choose because YOU disagree with them. The point is for each individual to make his or her own choices, what they believe is best for their family or for themselves.
Unfortunately, abortions are a dangerous procedure. When young women end up pregnant, and seek abortions, they usually have very limited funds to do so. The cheaper the procedure, the more harmful they are. I know you will disagree with me on this, but I very strongly believe that an actual live woman’s health is far more important than that of a ball of flem developing in a uterus. Keeping these procedures available and affordable ensures the safety of our women.
I have to say, that despite being entirely pro-choice, I can respect your belief that just because someone else elects to take birth control, elects to have pre marital, and elects to have an abortion you shouldn’t be the one responsible for paying for it. However, it would be refreshing for you to be able to consider for a moment that not everyone follows the same lifestyle as you do. If someone got pregnant and was unable to afford an abortion, they most certainly could not afford to raise a baby. You seemingly believe the only reason to have sex is for the purposes of reproduction, but many others enjoy having recreational sex and some times accidents happen. These accidents, these unwanted babies, should not be forced into a world they will not be loved in because you don’t want a .09% tax hike.
It is dangerous to women to elect not to provide them with an affordable and safe option to terminate a pregnancy should they decide to do so. There is strong importance in protecting those who are already alive and contributing to society.
Anonymous says
January 31, 2012 at 3:38 amAll I meant by the WIC program is that it is a government run program. That’s all. I do agree that it is a great program!
Anonymous says
January 31, 2012 at 3:59 amInteresting post. Members of the church tithe because, thankfully, we have separation of church and state. Can you imagine if we didn’t? Which religion would be correct? Which denomination would have the strongest say? It would be a bickering fest!
I agree with the your statement that birth control may be contributing to ‘unexplained infertility.’ Personally I don’t take it either. However, sometimes it IS a medical necessity. I started my period very, very young (around age 8). I was put on BC because of the severe pain and cysts I developed. I missed a week of school every, single month before BC.
Sometimes people do have premarital sex. This is their choice. Look at the numbers of babies being abandoned in dumpsters even though there are laws to protect the mothers if they dropped the baby off at a hospital. Can you imagine the mayhem if abortion was illegal? Abortions would be performed in basements. This would be extremely unsafe.
I admire your spunk for putting this out there. I respect your views and ideas. I just think the U.S. is a little bigger than rural Minnesota.
Anonymous says
January 31, 2012 at 6:20 amHas anyone addressed the underlying point that taxpayers are being forced to pay for other people’s “rights”–including abortion?
Once these destructive things are instituted, against our will, THEN we have to pay for them. Of course, I suppose that also means that since we have a “right to practice our religion” that the government will soon be paying for our Bibles and stuff, right? Naw. Probably not.
Note in response to one of the anonymouses–nope! The U.S. really isn’t that much bigger than rural Minnesota! The assumptions you’re using to fly that assertion just ain’t true.
Sharon
Farm School Marm says
January 31, 2012 at 2:44 pmWow! Great artilce – and some weird comments. For those who would choose a different route than the author (premarital sex, birth control, etc..) – I didn’t see the author claiming that such choices weren’t within their rights – but that the rest of us shouldn’t have to pay for however others decide to exercise their “rights.”
And I just couldn’t let this go by: “If someone got pregnant and was unable to afford an abortion, they most certainly could not afford to raise a baby. You seemingly believe the only reason to have sex is for the purposes of reproduction, but many others enjoy having recreational sex and some times accidents happen. These accidents, these unwanted babies, should not be forced into a world they will not be loved in because you don’t want a .09% tax hike. “
First…abortion is not the only answer to such a situation. I cannot remember what the wait time is to adopt an infant in the US, but it’s quite long – the suggestion that an unplanned pregnancy results in a child who would not be loved is a red herring. AND…since when should I pay for the consequences of your recreational activities? If you are shallow enough to use sex for recreation without the awareness that it is, by design, intended to cause reproduction…well, then perhaps you’re not mature enough to engage in that particular act. I personally think that a person who cannot appreciate the fact that he wields a potentially-lethal weapon when he drives a car shouldn’t drive; and if you aren’t willing to be responsible about the potential life you are creating for your “recreational” enjoyment – then maybe you should take up knitting or some other hobby. In what other forum would we say that we have a right to recreational activity that may result in the “need” to kill someone else – and, by the way, I want the tax payer to pay for that? Lunacy.
ANYWAY…back to the article: well thought out and well-written. Just because someone has a “right” (be it real or perceived) does not mean that others are responsible for providing it to them.
Anonymous says
January 31, 2012 at 7:16 pmI could not have said it better. Thank you for expressing yourself and standing up for what this country was founded on. Free will. Not free will which is financially supported by others. Thank you!!
melicity says
January 31, 2012 at 9:38 pmSorry. Was going to keep my mouth shut but can’t.
NO ONE has the RIGHT to kill a child because two people chose to have sex and conceived.
NO ONE has the RIGHT to kill a child. Period. Whether or not the child is in or out of the womb makes no difference. EVERY child has the RIGHT to life.
NO ONE has the RIGHT to an abortion and I, as a taxpayer, should not have to pay for these abortions.
Melissa says
February 1, 2012 at 3:53 amIt always makes me upset when people refer to abortions as “safe”. Safe for whom??? I can’t think of anything more UNsafe for that baby–s/he DIES.
Anonymous says
February 1, 2012 at 2:09 pm“I have to say, that despite being entirely pro-choice, I can respect your belief that just because someone else elects to take birth control, elects to have pre marital, and elects to have an abortion you shouldn’t be the one responsible for paying for it. However, it would be refreshing for you to be able to consider for a moment that not everyone follows the same lifestyle as you do. “
Well said. This is a good point. I disagree entirely, but I can respect that different people have different lifestyles. I don’t want to force my lifestyle on anyone.
Anonymous says
February 1, 2012 at 2:18 pmInteresting comments and great post. Here are my two cents- I am a middle of the road Republican. I used to be very pro-life, but have since changed my mind. I am not against abortion for someone who wants to have one, but I don’t want to pay for it. It you are grown up enough to have sex, you are grown up enough to pay for your birth control or abortion. I think it all comes down to personal responsibility. You are free to make your own choices in this world, but you are not free from the consequences of those choices. Obvs, rape and incest don’t fit into choice. I am at a loss as how to handle those situations. Non profits as brought up before? I do not think that it should be paid for with goverment money. As I am for abortion if you so choose, I cannot see the right in using money from people who are morally opposed to abortion to fund such things.
A word on WIC and Food Stamps… Good programs with some HUGE problems. Juice and sugar filled formula is pushed in HUGE amounts with WIC. We have a diabetes type 2 epidemic in this country and it is now starting with our smallest citizens. There has been a few studies on how juice is a contributing factor in the epidemic. (Soda is a villian in this as well, but not funded by WIC). Sorry to get off topic… This is hot topic for me. 🙂
Lisa Joy says
February 1, 2012 at 5:35 pmVERY well said, Gretchen! I applaud you for having the courage to take a stand, and also for leaving up comments that you disagree with but are still respectful in their discussion. I do absolutely and 100% agree with your post, by the way! 🙂
And Melissa, EXACTLY! No matter what anyone says, they really are not particularly safe for the mother either, and most certainly not for the baby!
Jessica says
February 2, 2012 at 5:37 pmI enjoy that you stepped out and shared your political opinion because I believe the only way we as a society can move forward is by hearing people out.
I agree with a lot that you said and think in a whole people of the US have gotten way to comfortable with the government providing and giving to them. It’s a slippery slope and I agree that just because it is your right you shouldn’t be provided with it.
Actually if you leave it at that I am right there with you. I just get really sensitive with pro-life issues. I would consider myself pro-choice, BUT that DOES NOT mean I think every one should be running out to get an abortion. I believe that is someone’s right to choose and that is not a place for government to step in. We should all making smart choices in the fist place though.
Thanks for giving all a little something to think about.
Juliana Abraham says
February 8, 2012 at 7:14 pmI am probably as ‘pro-life’ as a person can possibly be. But, I have a fairly significant concern that so much of the focus on this issue is misdirected. I think how we view health, in general, majorly misses the mark.
If we care about the baby, we must care about the life sustaining that baby.
We can focus our energies on the political aspect of this issue, or we can work together to bring true, authentic, redemptive change.
I am not so naive as to think that if we legally ban abortions they will stop. So, we need to start thinking about what will really truly be an effective means of bringing about redemption to this devastating reality.
And, I personally do not trust a single politician when it comes to this issue, regardless of their place on the political spectrum.
I trust you, Gretchen. And, I trust God. It’s not about any or all sides finding ‘compromise’, it’s about taking our focus off of our own interests and looking to the only one who can redeem this truly messy and ugly reality.
If we want it to end we have to get involved on a personal level, one life at a time.
Just a small portion of my passion, from me to you.
Loads of love,
juliana