A reminder: What Planned Parenthood actually does
You know how Republicans are always
saying things like "Planned Parenthood, we're going to get rid of that," mostly because Republicans are deeply stupid and think
The Onion is a real news source, and Planned Parenthood really did a
build a 900,000-square-foot $8 billion abortionplex with taxpayer money? Come for the abortion, stay for the disco and sushi!
What Planned Parenthood actually does is irrelevant because, as Sen. Jon Kyl taught us, Republican talking points about Planned Parenthood are not intended to be factual statements. They're more like ... oh, what's the word? ... bullshit.
Like, for example, this fecal gem from Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Real World, Season 6), in his debate with Pat Kreitlow:
In regard to Planned Parenthood – ya know, listen – Planned Parenthood offers a lot of checkups and procedures for women. I think a lot of that care is really good, especially for folks who can’t afford it. But the contention that comes around Planned Parenthood is that they are the largest abortion provider in the country, and so they are able to take taxpayer funds to then in essence, use for abortion. And I think this issue could be solved completely if Planned Parenthood would stop doing abortions. There would be no issue with funding on Planned Parenthood. So I think it’s a pretty easy issue to resolve to make sure women get care and coverage for procedures that they need, and I think it’s an important part of our society.
Oh, if only Planned Parenthood would stop doing that thing it doesn't actually do—using taxpayer dollars for abortion—Duffy and his fellow Republicans would
totes love it! And stop trying to defund it every five seconds.
But, alas. Since Planned Parenthood doesn't use taxpayer funds for abortion, on account of how Republicans can't stop passing bills that say Planned Parenthood isn't allowed to use taxpayer funds for abortion, Republicans like Duffy have no choice but to pretend Planned Parenthood does that anyway and then be righteously indignant about Planned Parenthood doing that thing it doesn't actually do. And that's why Duffy and the rest of his party will do whatever they must to prevent Planned Parenthood from providing "checkups and procedures for women" until it stops doing that thing it doesn't actually do.
Want to send someone to Washington who actually supports women's health care, as well as intended-to-be-factual statements? Please give $3 to Duffy's Democratic challenger, Pat Kreitlow.