You ask, I answer: Political Edition!

[teaberryblue]

In the spirit of Election Day, I thought this would be fun.

Ask me a question about my political beliefs. I will do my best to answer them. They can be on anything from big stuff like civil rights to little things like state tax issues to personal things like political moments that shaped my views.

This is not a place for debate or disagreement. I am going to be completely honest and that might mean that my views might piss someone off. I will ask you to contain your pissed-offedness and not debate in this post. Post your own post if you want to discuss. I usually like to debate but I don't want this idea to turn into that, not because I want to silence anybody, but because I want to keep it on the original subject.

Comments

[gretchystretchy.livejournal.com]

Reproductive choice: go.

[teaberryblue.livejournal.com]

One: to me, "reproductive choice" is a whole series of issues that go far beyond medically terminating a fetus. It encompasses every issue where a woman (or in some cases, men) may feel that her ability to make decisions about how and when she chooses to carry and deliver a baby is at stake.

This includes:
availability and affordability of birth control
availability and affordability of STI tests
availability of sex ed
availability and affordability of gynecological/prenatal visits
availability of information about termination, adoption, and assistance for new mothers
the right to choose any of the above three options (or others if necessary) and to receive assistance in carrying them out
the right to set terms and not be intimidated in decision-making when giving a child up for adoption
the right to not be raped by anyone at any time
the right to medical care and non-judgmental legal support for rape victims
the right to medical care and non-judgmental legal support for mothers and expecting mothers who are unable to get assistance or cooperation from their sexual partner(s)
full transparency and required consent if genetic material is used outside of normal sexual reproduction

And there are probably a few others I left off the list.

Basically, I think that women have a right to decide when and where and how they will or won't have babies. They also have a right to not be made to feel pressured or intimidated or harassed while making private, personal decisions.

I strongly believe that the abortion debate in this country is not about innocent little babies but is about intimidation of women. That's how it started, with the AMA trying to discredit midwives, and that's what keeps it alive today. The only gender inequity that can't be righted through a combination of legislation and human decency is the one where a woman can't always control when she will get pregnant. Therefore, she always needs to have the right to decide not to be pregnant if it happens.

[gretchystretchy.livejournal.com]

*applauds*

This is beautiful. (And such a quick reply!)