Why any woman who intends to vote for McCain should reconsider
Two of my favorite bloggers in the past couple of days have explained in succinct detail why we (women in particular) should be sickened by John McCain. I implore you to take the time to read these, they're not just a bunch of liberal propaganda or pro-choice cheerleading. These are stories of people's lives.
From Alexa at Flotsam:
McCain states that he would deal with the issue of abortion with “courage and compassion.” I quote: “the courage of a pregnant mother to bring her child into the world and the compassion of civil society to meet her needs and those of her newborn baby.” As if terminating my pregnancy would be the easy way out, the way not requiring his precious “courage.” As if dictating my medical care based upon his religious beliefs is compassionate. And I find it interesting to note that his “compassion” for this newborn does not extend to guaranteeing it health insurance.
And Julie from a little pregnant:
He means us when he holds up his hands and says with that single scornful gesture that we don't matter. That we are a figment of the "pro-abortion movement's" imagination. That — what, we're making this whole "staying pregnant might kill me" thing up?
... even if you're implacably, unconditionally opposed to abortion, a matter on which reasonable people disagree, I don't see any way a thinking person can look at those air quotes and see anything but pandering, contempt, and a dangerous willful ignorance.
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Katelin said:
they definitely bring up great points and i couldn't agree more.
10.17.08 - 11:29 AM / 1Daddy Scratches said:
And yet, the polls are, for the third election in a row, split rather evenly. Single digit differences do not a mandate make. Frightening.
Can't we just split of into the United Blue Staters of America?
10.17.08 - 11:31 AM / 2Angelbee said:
I can hardly believe that I live in a country where there are still (!) people who think it's okay to have the government control the contents of my womb.
10.17.08 - 11:35 AM / 3Sarahd said:
You might also want to check out Cecily's latest post at Uppercase woman.
http://zia.blogs.com/wastedbirthcontrol/
10.17.08 - 11:35 AM / 4Melissa said:
I completely agree and I have a hard time understanding the religious and political ideology that would allow the stripping of such important rights for women.
10.17.08 - 11:37 AM / 5dana said:
I honestly don't think this air quote thing is as big a deal as people think. I work in the healthcare industry and no one and no legislation is going to put the mother's care second to the baby's. Not going to happen.
I'm part of the ol' 8% --the undecided vote. And I have a uterus. I don't like John McCain, but I do tire of hearing how "scared" everyone is of him, as though he's some complete radical who can single-handedly overturn legislation overnight. But I expect you'll get a lot of the predictable "he's scary" comments.
10.17.08 - 11:38 AM / 6Kristen said:
Yep yep. Great post, great point. I am counting down the days until we can boot this man back to Arizona. (Sorry, Arizona.)
10.17.08 - 11:38 AM / 7Krista said:
Thanks for sharing these, Heather. I was so mad I couldn't see straight during that part of the debate. I do not consider myself pro-choice or pro-life. I believe in a person's right to die with dignity, and I believe in a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy if her health or life is in danger. I don't agree with abortion on demand, but as a woman who lost my child due to complications in a stillbirth and nearly died myself due to the complications, I just wanted to reach through the tv and strangle that bastard!! I don't need a politician to tell me what I can and can't do with my own body should I, God forbid, ever go through that horrific experience again. Which is just one more reason THIS Midwestern Republican is voting for Obama this year!
10.17.08 - 11:38 AM / 8momof4 said:
I am voting for McCain for many reasons, one of which is that he is pro life. I know I am an odd girl out around here, but that is fine. I still like the blog even though we couldn't be more opposite if we tried.
Disagree, without being disagreeable.
10.17.08 - 11:38 AM / 9kelli said:
“the courage of a pregnant mother to bring her child into the world and the compassion of civil society to meet her needs and those of her newborn baby.”
umm...correct me if i am wrong, but this is the party that feels welfare should not exist, but some how the compassion of civil society will meet her needs?
maybe he should place all of the uninsured babies on his personal insurance to make sure they are cared for, think he will go for that...
10.17.08 - 11:39 AM / 10Jenna said:
My father called me this morning and asked if I was voting for McCain... Hoping that maybe in the last 48 hours some experience had altered me into a conservative.
Too bad he lives in a (very) blue state (Mi.) and I live in a (usually) red state (Co.)
He tried to tell me that Palin has more experience than Obama because she is the governor of the biggest state in the union. I told him that there are more elk in Alaska than people...
I can't wait for our Christmas reunion.
Also: On the subject of abortion my favorite bumper sticker is "keep your rosaries off my ovaries."
10.17.08 - 11:39 AM / 113baybchicks said:
I couldn't agree more. In addition to the raging abortion issue, there is the frightening reality that by voting for McCain, Sarah Palin could someday be president. Ask yourself, is that really what we want for the US?
10.17.08 - 11:40 AM / 12Sara said:
I try not to vote for presidents based on abortion beliefs. Mostly because abortion will probably NEVER come in front of the President. It'll be a judicial issue or something that won't even make it through congress. But I will vote based on gay marriage rights and the war, which still goes anti-McCain.
10.17.08 - 11:40 AM / 13Songwraith said:
How very "courageous" of you to dive into politics at the risk of alienating about 39% of your readership. You saved me from tuning in on other facets of the liberal media.
I think you are a uniquely talented and creative writer--but I'd rather not hear about your politics.
10.17.08 - 11:40 AM / 14Rebecca said:
I agree with what those other bloggers wrote, but I disagree that we should vote based on one issue. Single issue voting has done nothing but harm for this country. It's time we used a more nuanced approach when it comes to politics.
10.17.08 - 11:41 AM / 15Don said:
The notion that women and doctors would game the, 'if the mother's life is in danger' clause to justify an abortion even when the mother life isn't in danger, is a disgusting insult no matter which side of the abortion issue you are on. Safeguards can certainly be included to reduce abuse. Safeguards MUST be included for the mother's health/life regardless.
There is much cruelty afoot.
10.17.08 - 11:42 AM / 16Krista said:
Dana - I didn't see your post before I posted mine. I'm glad you work in an atmosphere where the mother's life is put above the baby's; however, it's not that way everywhere. The hospital where my son was born is run by the Catholic church, and throughout their history, they have always chosen the life of the baby over the life of the mother. I can't say what is in their official protocol these days, but as little as 15-20 years ago, it was official policy to save the child first, then worry about the mom. In my case, Connor was past saving - he had already died when I arrived at the hospital. Otherwise, God only knows what would have happened to me.
10.17.08 - 11:42 AM / 17Amelia Sprout said:
I love your politics, and the fact that you have featured two of my favorite blogs too. To those who immediately want to dismiss this as just another liberal thing, read the posts. They matter, and I can say that as someone who is not a fan of abortion, but who very much liked living through a life threatening pregnancy.
10.17.08 - 11:43 AM / 18Ann said:
When McCain gives birth through his penis, I will then be willing to listen to him about legislating MY UTERUS.
10.17.08 - 11:43 AM / 19Kim said:
Sorry to go against the majority here but McCain's feelings about abortion are one of the main reasons I am voting for him. Do I think he is going to win? No, I don't - which makes me very nervous for the future of our country.
10.17.08 - 11:44 AM / 20Loretta said:
I am terrified of McCain/Palin. I'm definitely Pro-choice. I've been a single low-income parent. I've had unplanned, unwanted pregnancies. I was so naive, I didn't even realize abortion was an option. My daughters are grown now, and (thankfully) we have loving, healthy relationships. But I've stressed to them the difficulty of having children before they are ready. Teenagers are in no way ready for the demands of parenthood. It limits your choices in life, and makes everything much harder than it should be.
Palin wants to send women back to the dark ages. The combination of reversing Roe vs Wade and denying girls basic sex education leaves them in an extremely precarious situation.
I'm apalled at the otherwise intelligent women I know who intend to vote for McCain/Palin.
10.17.08 - 11:44 AM / 21Anonymous said:
I agree about splitting the U.S. into two countries, too bad we're so economically interdependent. I love Dooce, but couldn't disagree more on her politics.
As a pro-life woman, who has been unable to get pregnant for years now, the complete and utter disrespect for the uniqueness and preciousness of human life continues to astonish me. How a baby being "unwanted" makes it any less of a life, I will never understand.
10.17.08 - 11:44 AM / 22Suzy said:
Thanks for your imput, but no thanks. I'll be voting for McCain/Palin.
10.17.08 - 11:45 AM / 23McKenzie said:
This is not an issue I go to the polls for. And the reason for abortion being a non issue for me is because abortions laws vary form state to state. I live in a state where you have to have parental consent to have an abortion however the next state over (I live in the city on the border of both these states) does not enforce the same consent law. 18 state already have legislation that bans partial birth abortions. Also 18 states have a waiting period however only 11 states enforce it.
So to me Abortion isn't something a presidental canidate can affect. HOWEVER-it is something that my state law makers can influence. And that is why it is just as important to vote in the state elections and well as the federal.
10.17.08 - 11:45 AM / 24AloeWishus said:
Any politician or political party who has an agenda that includes trying to strip me of my rights by turning religious doctrine into law is scary. Period.
Bottom line: VOTE!
Don't get lazy just because the polls show a lead for Obama. Use your voice, use your vote.
10.17.08 - 11:46 AM / 25dooce said:
Please read the posts I linked to before you comment. Otherwise you look dumb.
10.17.08 - 11:46 AM / 26Sarah said:
Re: 9. momof4:
Please don't get it twisted: McCain is NOT pro-life. He is anti-choice. He is pro-unborn fetuses. He is pro-POTENTIAL life. He is pro-life-before-it-actually-needs-resources-in-this-world. After it is born, he ignores its needs, and the needs of its mother.
10.17.08 - 11:47 AM / 27Caren said:
I was screaming at the TV when he made these comments. This is the man who voted against insurance companies covering birth control, against free rape kits for women who've been sexually assaulted, and voted against SCHIP. He's obviously a man who really cares about women and children.
10.17.08 - 11:48 AM / 28laura said:
Abortion is the very reason why i cannot ever vote Democrat.
Ever.
My family has adopted five children - all special needs. All who might've been aborted because they were special needs. They weren't and now my family is more blessed because of the children we have.
i'm not particulary fond of McCain but i cannot and will not vote Democrat in this day and age.
10.17.08 - 11:49 AM / 29adrienne said:
the idea of roe v. wade being overturned is impossible for me to contemplate. however, i have increasing faith in the american people that the right decision will be made on nov 4th.
10.17.08 - 11:50 AM / 30