I'm sure by now that everyone has heard about the proposed Virginia law that would require women seeking an abortion to be forced to have a "transvaginal ultrasound." (AKA we're going to stick this probe up your vagina in hopes that you become too traumatized to have an abortion.) And I'm also sure by now that we are all up to speed on the big "birth control controversy," which we all know is actually not a controversy at all, more like a few Catholic bishops are upset and the conservative pundits have decided to run with it. I've decided to examine the two side by side.
The issue that has been presented about the birth control coverage is that it supposedly violates certain "religious freedoms." These freedoms being that an employer (which is no longer true, it's now the insurer who would have to cover it) would be required to cover birth control for any employee who elects to have it, even if that went against the employers' personal beliefs on birth control. Ok, that's what you're rolling with, bishops and conservatives, let's look at that more closely.
In general, I think we can all agree that two main points of religious freedom are 1) that you, as an individual, have the right to practice your personal religious beliefs as you see fit in your personal life. (Barring that you don't hurt people and don't step on others' rights to do the same.) 2) The state cannot force a certain religion upon you.
Great. Got it.
Now let's look at what this conservative "religious freedom" agenda seems to be saying. 1) Christianity is right, so everyone follow us into the light. 2) An employer should be able to determine what health care an employee can receive, based on his/her personal religious beliefs. (Hmmm... that's already violating the whole 'not stepping on others' rights' thing mentioned in #1 above.) 3) The state better support us raping women's bodies for the good of all un-born fetuses. (This one violates... well, everything.)
I'm just wondering, did I miss the memo on freedom? Did I miss where it says that an employers' religious beliefs trumps the well-being and/or religious beliefs of their employees? Did I miss where it says that religious freedoms are more important and hold more weight than personal freedoms, the freedom to choose your health care, and the freedom to not be penetrated by the state? Am I missing something here, or is this just as it appears, twisted, illogical, and coming at an interesting time during an election year when Obama's ratings are up, the DOW and NASDAQ are high, GM is reporting excellent numbers, the economy is improving, and unemployment is getting lower? Let's recap to find out.
Under the new birth control coverage, women have the freedom to use birth control if they need it, or not use birth control if they don't need it or disagree with it. Employers have the freedom to still abide by their personal religious beliefs, because it is now up to the insurers to cover it. Under the proposed Virginia law, women do not have the freedom to opt out of having an unnecessary probe stuck up their vaginas.
So you tell me, which plan offers more freedom?