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Of Sex and Politics Get out of my bedroom and get my kids out of Iraq and Afghanistan
This election has me more concerned than any during the last few years. There are too many “bedroom issues” at stake in this election. Let’s start with the abortion issues.
Abortion issues
If you live anywhere in the Midwest you are probably closely following the South Dakota elections. A measure is on the South Dakota ballot that would ban all abortions, even those that would result from rape or incest. This would take South Dakota back to the pre-Roe v. Wade (1972) decision and make all abortions except those where health is an issue. There would be no more “woman’s decision” in the equation. I am old enough to remember the “back room” botched abortions and the havoc they played in the lives of women who felt they had no other options. For the women I know who have had abortions since Roe v. Wade, I know the decision was not made lightly and it is something they always remember; and not one of them truly regrets the tough decision they had to make.
California and Oregon, two of the most liberal states regarding abortions, have measures on the ballots that would limit the availability of them to young women under 18. Proposition 85 in California and Measure 42 in Oregon would require that parental consent be obtained 48 hours prior to an abortion performed on a young woman under 18. Even many parents in both these states are against the propositions. What many people do not realize is that 29 states already require parental notification prior to an abortion procedure. Civil Unions/Gay Marriage
Last week the New Jersey Supreme Court made headline news with its decision that gave the state 180 days to prepare legislation that would provide the same benefits to civil unions as to married couples. It did not state whether or not the state had to define “gay marriage” or “civil union” but benefits had to be addressed. Wisconsin is currently fighting over both “gay marriage” and “civil union.” If the current measure on the Wisconsin ballot passes, both would be outlawed in the state. It is the prohibition in the second sentence that has many people in Wisconsin concerned: "legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals" will also be outlawed. This would prohibit even heterosexual unions outside of a legal marriage in the state. In addition to Wisconsin, both Colorado and Arizona are considering “marriage” amendments in the current election. Other things are far more important
Too many other things are important this election day. Worry about the fact one of my kids was killed in Afghanistan last Tuesday. Worry about the fact 42 million Americans don’t have health insurance. Worry about the fact that minimum wage is not sufficient to even provide an apartment. Worry about the fact too many children go to bed hungry in this country every night. Worry about the fact too many children leave high school unable to read this article. Those of you who worry about these things are the ones who will get my vote next Tuesday.
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