We Are All An 11 year old girl - and she is pretty annoyed

Women are the last remaining voting majority who are treated like a splinter group.  It will stay that way until we stand up for ourselves, together, and demand power.

The Democrats drove us away from the polls in 2010, and they're getting ready to do it again.  It's ok, though.  They need to focus on creating jobs.  We don't want to disturb them with anything controversial.

The Republicans don't care whether or not we experience regret after our abortions.  They want to pump up the fanatic religious extremists who they hope will give them control of the Senate and the White House in 2012.

The Pediatricians, Gynecologists, and Adolescent Medicine doctors deplore the decision yesterday by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to override "an evidence-based decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve an application for over-the-counter access without age restriction to the emergency contraception (EC) product Plan B One-Step. This move defies the strong data that EC is safe and effective for all females of reproductive age.

“As advocates for the health and well-being of all young people, the AAP recommends that adolescents postpone sexual activity until they are fully ready for the emotional, physical, and financial consequences of sex,” said Robert Block, MD, FAAP, American Academy of Pediatrics president. “However, as physicians who care for our nation’s children, it is our responsibility to protect the health of our teenage patients, and an unintended pregnancy can have significant implications for adolescents’ physical and emotional health.”

Presumably Sec. Sebelius was following orders from her boss, already jittery because the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is offended that HHS has had the temerity to acknowledge that contraception is a preventive medical service, and should be covered without additional co-payments just like Pap smears.

You can join lots of important efforts to call the White House or sign petitions, including sites for NARAL, the National Women's Health Network, and the Feminist Majority.

Maybe, also, we can snatch some tactics from AIDS activists. Maybe we need to start bird-dogging policy-makers who have difficulty living up to their promises.  And working in communities where people who don't have jobs are being convinced to turn their anger against women who don't have rights. 

God to Congress: OK to Gang Up on Women's Rights

"It is not our job as Catholics to tell God what we should do.  It is our job to learn and follow his teachings.  Conscience is not convenience. We must enforce the laws of God." Rep. Tim Murphy, Republican of Pennsylvania, having ascertained that the supreme deity is male, explained why Congress should deprive the employees of Catholic schools, hospitals and charities of the right to purchase affordable birth control, regardless of the employees' own beliefs or practices. The  hearing of the Health Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce took place on Wednesday, November 2, 2011.

Republicans in Congress are truly on the warpath against women's rights, and in many cases against reason. 

Just a few points here about women and contraception.  For starters, while it usually takes two to conceive a child, only women get pregnant. The right and ability to make independent decisions about whether and when to become a parent are fundamental to every other aspect of a woman's life: whether society recognizes women as autonomous, independent, responsible and competent; and whether women themselves experience the same opportunities as men to acquire education and employment, and to construct a meaningful life based on loving relationships.

Cost is a barrier to purchasing birth control for lower-income women.  More effective forms like new, safe intrauterine devices (IUDs) cost more than birth control pills or devices like diaphragms that can be bought in smaller, cheaper quantities, but also are less reliable. The rate of unintended pregnancies is soaring among low-income women, and at 132 per thousand (women aged 15-44) is 5 times higher than the rate for higher income women (those over 200% of poverty).  Low income women are more likely to have unplanned births. The costs of contraception are minute compared to the costs of pregnancy and delivery, in dollars as well as in human health. 

The new health reform law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), calls for covering preventive health care services without requiring copayments, effective in 2010.  Copayments are fees individuals must pay when they go for care, in addition to their premiums, and are intended to discourage health care visits.  The problem is that they discourage people from getting care they need, particularly low-income people.  Preventive health care services like flu shots can protect health by avoiding illnesses entirely or catching them early, and also save money. The ACA eliminated these copayments for prevention. 

Except in the case of contraception.

In 1968, despite the recommendation of the majority of Catholic bishops, the Pope adopted the minority recommendation to declare that using birth control was inconsistent with the Church's beliefs.  Nevertheless, U.S. Catholics continue to use birth control, to the same extent as other Americans. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has grown increasingly insistent on enforcing the birth control ban.

Virtually all heterosexually active couples in the U.S. of child-bearing age use birth control at times, including Catholics.

As of August, 2011, after a year of studying whether or not contraception is a preventive health care service, the federal Department of Health and Human Services ruled that birth control would count as a preventive health care service.

In covering contraception as a preventive service without copayments, HHS granted an exception for actual churches who provide health insurance to their employees, but required all other religiously sponsored institutions such as hospitals that offer health benefits to follow the rule.

Catholic organizations have gone to court in the past to avoid state rules that require including coverage for birth control in the health care plans they provide for employees, and failed every time.  The Church sponsors large organizations including health care providers, universities and social service agencies, as well as churches. They employ millions of Americans, many of whom are not Catholic. Their work generates the funds their employers use to pay for health insurance.  Most economists assert that the costs of employee health benefits are reflected in lower pay; that is, employers calculate benefits as a form of compensation, and many reduce wages accordingly.  In effect, the money that pays for health insurance is really money that employees generate, and belongs to them.

Not good enough for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the extremist Republicans running Congress.  While dire economic threats face many Americans, Rep. Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania decided to change the subject.  He called a hearing entitled “Do New Health Law Mandates Threaten Conscience Rights and Access to Care?”  [http://republicans.energycommerce.house.gov/Media/file/Hearings/Health/110211/Memo.pdf]

Now let's be very clear here.  The Republicans and the Bishops are claiming that institutions have a conscience.  Not a policy.  A conscience.

Here is Joe Pitts' description of his concern [and my comments in brackets]:

"Many entities feel that it [the proposed policy] is inadequate and violates their conscience rights by forcing them to provide coverage for services for which they have a moral or ethical objection. The religious employer exemption allowed under the preventive services rule -- at the discretion of the HRSA [Health Resources Services Agency] -- is very narrow.

"And the definition offers no conscience protection to individuals," [there is no involvement of any individual employer in this matter, or any issue of an individual's conscience except that of employees deciding to purchase and use contraceptives] "schools, hospitals, or charities that hire or serve people of all faiths in their communities. It is ironic that the proponents of the health care law talked about the need to expand access to services but the administration issues rules that could force providers to stop seeing patients because to do so could violate the core tenants of their religion."  [The rule requires employers' health plans to cover contraception without any additional copayment.  There are three parties involved here: employers, employees, and health plans.  No provider or caregiver is involved, nor is any patient, student, or recipient of charity. At the most extreme, every Catholic institution could claim it will close their doors absent this exclusion.  So far no such institution has done so where state requirements are in effect, and when Rep. Jan Schakowsky asked representatives of Catholic institutions at the hearing if they would close, they affirmed that they would not.]

Rep. Gingrey, GA, opined: "Imposing the dictates of the state on the will of employers sounds un-American to me."

And another gem: "Should we force religious employers to violate their consciences?  To recognize same-sex marriage?  Will we ethically neuter health care professionals?"

Articulate Democrats on the committee - Henry Waxman, Frank Pallone, John Dingell, Lois Capps, Tammy Baldwin, Jan Schakowsky, Edolphus Towns, Eliot Engel - to a person challenged this tripe.

Tammy Baldwin: "This is a war on women."

Lois Capps: "An employer is not a person. Your boss' conscience is not your own."

Witnesses Jon O'Brien of Catholics for Choice and Dr. Steve Hathaway were articulate and brilliant in defending the truth.

But Rep. Tim Murphy, a psychologist in his fifth term in the House, was on fire:

"Conscience is at the core of Catholic teachings... and it is not left up to individuals to decide, thank goodness. Father Anthony Fisher tells us that ...there is an objective standard of moral conduct.  Vatican II teaches us that the moral character of actions is determined by objective criteria, not merely by the sincerity of intentions or the goodness of motives. It is not, I repeat, it is not our duty as Catholics to tell God what he should do or what image he should adhere to, or what he should think, but it's up to us to shape our conscience to conform with the teachings he's given us.

"Conscience, sir, is not convenience.

"Conscience is formed through prayer, attention to the sacred and adherence to the teachings of the church, and the authority of Christ's teachings in the church.  So asking a group in a survey whether or not they have ever acted or thought of acting in a certain way that runs counter to the Church's teachings is no more a moral code than asking people if they ever drove over the speed limit as a foundation for eliminating all traffic laws.

"I end with a quote from John Adams, in 1776, when he was writing our Declaration of Independence of the United States:  'It is the duty of all men in society, publicly and at stated seasons to worship the creator and preserver of the universe, and no subject shall be hurt, molested or constrained from worshipping God in the manner most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience, or for religious profession or sentiments, provided he does not disturb the public peace or obstruct others in their religious worship.' The foundation of our nation is not to impose laws that restrict a person's ability to practice their faith, sir."

Well, actually, Tim: Exactly.

Best NYT comment on clearing OWS

Well, the important thing is that now Jeff (642) can have a bench where he can sit and relax while eating his lunch and contemplating which policy he would like to have changed by exercising his right to vote. It was difficult to focus on that with inappropriate behavior going on and no place to sit. But now that the park has been cleared, and Jeff has his bench back, he can remember that, after all, he was perfectly satisfied with the way things are, that there are no policies he can think of that he would change, and that there isn't enough mayonnaise on his tuna sandwich.

695, Susan

Houston, Texas

November 15th, 2011

11:01 am

Thank you Susan!

Stand up for Our Rights?

Here is what we are up against:

28 Republican Senators have written to protest that the HHS decision to cover contraception as a preventive health care service interferes with the constitutional right of your religious employer to dictate whether or not you use birth control. (Technically, whether it should be a covered benefit and therefore affordable.)

That’s right: these Senators are distressed because your employer, if it has a religious affiliation, should have a constitutional right to mandate your personal sexual behaviors and to trample on your reproductive health choices.

The signers include, for example, David Vitter. His known use of the public funds that pay his salary for the support of sex workers might seem to contradict his right to dictate your own behavior.

Some on our side say these loony extremist statements rile up the Republican base and turn out their vote. We should keep our powder dry and ignore them, because smart pro-choice voters are motivated more by economics and other issues. But these crackpot ideas are too often turning into crackpot laws. Seems to me it’s time to connect the dots: Our human, economic and reproductive rights are our rights, and no elected official will stand up for us until we stand up for ourselves. The extremists are attacking our economic wellbeing and our freedoms at every level. What do you think?

Johanns/Hatch letter on contraception:
In addition to Sens. Hatch and Johanns, the letter to Secretary Sebelius was signed by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Roy Blunt (R-Missouri), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Dan Coats (R-Indiana), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Jon Kyl (R-Arizona), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John McCain (R-Arizona), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), and Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire), David Vitter (R-Louisiana), Pat Roberts (R-Kansas), Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma).

What would Jesus say? (with Track Changes by Rick Perry)

Justice: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness accumulation: for they shall be filled. [Matthew 5:6]

Greed and Wealth:
Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed public assistance; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. [Luke 12.15.]

Truly, I say unto you, it will be hard for a rich poor man to enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 19:23]

You cannot can serve both God and Money. [Matthew 6:24.]

Community: Love your neighbor as when they do good unto yourself. .[Matthew 22:39] So in everything, do to others as you would have them before they do it to you. [Matthew 7:12.]

If you would be perfect, go, take from the poor, sell what you possess and give to the poor a tax shelter, and you will have treasure in heaven. [Matthew 19:21]

Equality & Social Programs: But when you give a feast, invite criticize the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot re don't pay taxes. you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just entitled. [Luke 14:13 &14.]

Tobacco Control: FDA Warning Labels Get Support on the Eve of Trade Talks

Five tobacco companies have filed suit once again to try to stop the federal Food and Drug Administration from implementing its rule to require larger, more prominent cigarette health warnings on all cigarette packaging and advertisements in the United States beginning in September, 2012. According to the FDA, "These warnings mark the first change in cigarette warnings in more than 25 years and are a significant advancement in communicating the dangers of smoking."

Tobacco control advocates discussed this new round of tobacco company lawsuits on Aug. 19 with KPFA "Livingroom" host Kris Welch and Health Issues Producer Ellen Shaffer of CPATH - www.cpath.org , highlighting implications for African Americans, youth, and for upcoming negotiations for a U.S.-Pacific Rim trade agreement (Trans-Pacific Partnership) scheduled for Chicago, Sept. 6 -11. They discussed the lethal effects of tobacco and the need to move U.S. trade policy, which views tobacco as a legal substance to be promoted like any other, with guests:

Carol McGruder, Co-Chair African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (www.savingblacklives.org), pointed out that tobacco use and related illnesses have disproportionately affected the African American community. While the smoking rate among all Californians has plummeted from 23% to 14%, a rate second only to the state of Utah, African American smoking remains the highest in the state at 21.4% of males and 17% of females. "The consequences for our community are sobering: Black men who smoke are 50% more likely to get lung cancer than white male smokers; Black men have the highest lung cancer mortality rate at 81%, compared to a mortality rate of 54% among white men; with 16.3 lost years of life per death compared to 12.0 for white males. Though tobacco related deaths continue to kill more African Americans than car accidents, violence, and AIDS, combined; these deaths have yet to be given the priority on the public policy agenda that they deserve. The great disparities in smoking related morbidity and mortality between African Americans and the general population of California is an open sore in California's tobacco control crusade."

Danny McGoldrick, Vice President for Research at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, pointed out that these lawsuits have failed in the past, but that the tobacco industry continues to deploy its vast resources to resist all attempts to restrain it harm. He noted that the warnings are important in motivating calls to public "quitlines," toll-free phone resources known to help adults quit smoking. http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/

Chris Bostic, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) ash.org, which serves as the Secretariat of the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) , www.fctc.org, noted the contradictory position of the U.S. Trade Representative, which is advocating for free trade in tobacco products and restrictions on warning labels. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution supporting the public health position during trade negotiation meetings in the city in July, 2010.

Hear advocates for local and global public health discuss the FDA warning labels on radio KPFA: CPATH, CTFK, FCA, AATLC http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/72568 (go to minute 34:35)

Utter Madness

Will this be the month that tips us into action?

We can't get jobs, live in our homes, educate our kids.  Get out of the way of the tornadoes. Or, apparently, influence substantially the policy decisions imposed by an increasingly vicious and mean-spirited minority.

In California advocacy has been reduced to documenting the rubble.  Medicaid is cutting doctors' visits to 7 a year, for the seriously chronically ill who can still manage to qualify.  To his credit, I think, the Governor just vetoed a budget that has been a disaster for decades because no one can wrench control of the process from the 1/3 of the legislature whose most animating vision is to drown the government in a bathtub. We cannot add $70 a year to our car registration fees as a downpayment on staunching the demise. You might have missed this story because there was a sex scandal this week, and some baseball games. (I like baseball; not the point.)

Other states are dealing with the crisis by fomenting mobs who probably do not quite get the biological links among contraception, pregnancy and abortion, but are convinced they're against all of it, whatever it is.

Congress will not tax a cent of a billionaire's gains from gambling on the stock market, but voted to cut the Women and Infant Children program that gets some minimum level of nutrition to indigent kids.  The Administration of course is taking a strong lead in rallying the nation to hold off on arbitrary cuts to the Social Security benefits of the 50% of seniors who subsist on meager incomes, and to keep Medicare out of the clutches of the vampires in the insurance industry.  Aren't they?  I thought they were; or intended to; or might at some point; or will promise to if re-elected.

Ok, it's not their job; when the people lead the leaders will follow. We are the majority, who support the idea of having an actual society, will lend our neighbor a hand, believe in the right to reproductive health care, above all know there's something terribly wrong when so many can't find work while so few bask smugly in obscene excess. I'll write again soon about the people, organizations and campaigns that are trying to corral us close enough to each other so that we can make a difference. We're out here.  But right now, it's time to take a moment and call a travesty a travesty.