Bill O'Reilly proved beyond any question the depth of his intellect this evening. In the light of the firestorm beginning to swell over Rush Limbaugh's assault on women, O'Reilly complained that "these women" are asking us to subsidize their activities. (Set aside for the moment what is really being requested is support for their health care, and that the need extends beyond just contraception.)
Well I played football, squawked O'Reilly. Shouldn't the government have bought my helmet? I could have gotten hurt! Shouldn't I have been able to ask the taxpayer to keep me safe?
Well, dumbass, they did.
No school in the country does not provide helmets and pads for each of its football players.
And nowhere does a college player have to go out and buy his own equipment.
Who pays for it? For public schools and public universities, we all have a part in it, through our taxpayer support of these institutions. At private schools, it is covered by the general fund.
O'Reilly's words imply that if the player couldn't afford to buy them himself, he should be made to play without a helmet or pads.
Nice world you got in mind, there, bucko.