This week in the War on Women

You know what sucks? "Pro-life" Democrats. Sure, we "have" to support them in order to win and keep conservative seats. And we're a Big Tent, after all. There's room enough in the party for everyone, including those who actively fight against the principles of the party platform that clearly spell out we are a pro-choice party. Self-described "pro-lifers" already have control of one of the major political parties. And no, in the current hyper-crazy climate, they don't really tolerate pro-choicers. Just ask Arlen Specter.

But we are supposed to make room for these bastards, even if it means they feel free to take, say, health care reform hostage. Even if they run against the party's clearly stated platform.

Cue Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania:

Election season is just barely underway, but Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA) is taking no chances.  He's already using your body as election collateral to position himself as... a "conservative pro-life Democrat."

This week, when the world was aflurry with talk of debt ceilings, financial collapse and 9.2 percent unemployment, Senator Casey found time to introduce at least two bills seeking to further restrict women's access to safe, legal abortion.  Just for good measure.

One of these, S.1488, seeks to codify the Hyde Amendment, which currently exists as an amendment to annual appropriations bills and forbids federal funding of abortion care for women in need, except in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, and where the life of the pregnant woman is in danger. S.1488 was introduced on Tuesday, August 2nd, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).

The second bill, S.1489, also introduced on August 2nd, is yet another conscience clause bill, purporting to "prohibit the discrimination and retaliation against individuals and health care entities that refuse to recommend, refer for, provide coverage for, pay for, provide, perform, assist, or participate in abortions." Conscience clauses abound in both federal and state law and are constantly being expanded to include the refusal even to refer women at risk of death from a pregnancy to a provider who can help her.  Apparently, Senator Casey feels we need at least one more. It has also been referred to the Senate HELP committee.

So in order to shore up his anti-choice street cred, Casey wants to make permanent the annually renewed Hyde Amendment that denies health care to low-income women. And he wants to protect the delicate flowers in the health care profession who think their bizarre interpretation of the Bible should trump their obligation to do their jobs and provide health care to women.

And this guy is a Democrat?

Of course, as the election heats up, we'll be reminded, ad nauseum, that we must vote for Democrats in order to keep women's reproductive rights safe. But is that really true, when the Democratic Party also wants us to embrace staunchly anti-choice candidates like Casey? It's bad enough they get the royal treatment in the Republican Party; do we really need to roll out the welcome mat outside our big blue tent too?

So here's the question for you: Should the Democratic Party support anti-women politicians like Casey? Or is it time to make our tent just a little smaller?

Rant over. Let's take a look at this week's atrocities and victories below the fold.

Source: http://feeds.dailykos.com/~r/dailykos/index/~3/l9RzmTFppPQ/-This-week-in-the-War-on-Women

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