I am not a politician

I don't often get political on this blog, and I'm hoping that this post doesn't result in an all-out flame war (please), but I just wanted to get the word out since I'm tired of hearing about this in my inbox. I've been getting a bunch of emails lately about FOCA, the Freedom of Choice Act. I just wanted to say a few things about it, and I'd rather do it here than in email.

First of all, I appreciate receiving correct information about things rather than speculation. The bill is intended to provide federal government support for reproductive rights, to give an overall framework that would surpass the current network of state laws that vary greatly depending on the state you are in. It still has not passed Congress or the Senate (you can read the actual text of the bill here). With the current Democratic majority in the House, it may pass. If you do not like this, write to your congressman and let him know that you don't want him or her to vote on it. Write to your senator. And then if they do vote on it, don't reelect them. That's the way the system works. The president has said he will sign it if it passes, so you can write to him also, but writing your representatives is usually more effective. I have no idea about the legality or effectiveness of online or email petitions, so I usually prefer not sign them. I usually look most emails up in Snopes before I pass them on.

I do agree that there may be some negative consequences to this bill if it passes. I don't like abortion being used as an elective form of birth control. I think it is wrong for many reasons, but I don't think that legislating it away will make it disappear. I also know a few people who have had their lives saved through medical procedures that would likely be classified as abortions. It's not a decision to be made lightly and it is a very difficult one. It is good that they had the choice though. I am uncomfortable with the idea that parental consent laws might be done away with; if my underage child were making this kind of monumental decision I would want to know and have the opportunity to be involved. I think that if we want to reduce the number of abortions in this country we're not going to do it through legislation. To be honest I'm not sure what will work besides better education on birth control options, more support for poor and minority women who feel they have no choices in their lives, some way to change societal attitudes towards sex. All children deserve to be born to parents who want them and will be able to raise them. I'm also not sure about having federal law that mandates what states can do. If the majority of people in one state want stricter controls on abortion than those in another state, I don't think that's such a bad idea. Anyways, I don't have a lot of strong opinions on the subject. I have a lot of "yes, but" and "maybe" ideas. But I do have strong opinions about receiving emails full of speculation and fear-mongering. So please just write your congressman, because I have no power to vote on federal laws.