Apparently, a significant segment of the population would never dream of voting for Democrats because “liberals” are still considered licentious, and “immoral.” (“Tea Party” members worried about corporate misconduct are definitely supporting the wrong party.)
The inclusion of contraceptives in Obamacare was such a stupid political blunder because it unnecessarily reinforced that stereotype. Sure, contraceptives have medical uses, and attempts to prevent people from using contraceptives are extremely wrongheaded, but everyone had to know that that provision was bound to outrage many conservatives. People (and not just conservatives) simply are not sensible about sex.
Moreover, the whole controversy was unnecessary. Insurance is supposed to cover unexpected large expenses. And contraceptives are usually neither an unexpected nor a particularly large expense.
“Immorality” is a term that is almost exclusively used to refer to sexual “misconduct” (however that is defined). Yet, “morality” seems to be a major, perhaps even the primary, concern of many religious conservatives around the world. It is perhaps the primary reason so many do not trust young women to make their own decisions. That society’s “morality” is so dependent on the choices made by teenage girls seems to drive some religious conservatives absolutely nuts. I mean, this is the stuff of religious terrorism?
Many conservatives think of “liberals” as “the enemy.” “Liberal” is often used as a derogatory term. Indeed, throughout the world, many conservatives are essentially at war with “liberals” largely because of their perceived “immorality.” Yet, liberals tend not to take those concerns seriously.
Indeed, both sides seem to be trying to win this war between liberals and conservatives. They are trying to beat their opponent, instead of trying to work together to “make the world a better place.”
Unfortunately, the rhetoric of reproductive and gay “rights” probably exacerbates that antagonism and division. The focus should be on human rights. (Marriage, for example, is, among other things, the usual means by which adults choose their legal next of kin.)
As the abortion debate is still conducted, Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice, neither side has the remotest chance of convincing anyone on the other to change their mind. (Abortion is at best a regrettable expedient. But punishing doctors for taking care of their patients would be positively grotesque. Doctors are not the problem.)
The real problem is that one cannot legislate “morality.” Attempts to do so can be downright cruel. (In this case, it’s liberals who do not want intrusive “big government” telling people what (not) to do.)
The fact is, contraceptives exist and abortion is a simple medical procedure. Try and yearn as hard as so many do, one cannot “put the genie back in the bottle.” Moreover, prejudicially denying people opportunities because of their background, race, gender, or sexual orientation is extremely unkind and just plain wrong.