Notes from Up North: America, so many troubles (Part 1)
Really, of all the troubles that haunt Americans day in and day out the one that resonates most profoundly for me is this: there are too many Republicans. This is your biggest problem - Republicans have ruined your country. I will try to explain.
First, while the memory is still fresh let me talk about Senator Tim Scott, who just pulled out of his GOP nomination quest. I have come to call him the ‘word salad savant’ because there is a lot of verbal activity springing from the man’s mouth while saying absolutely nothing.
Fact is, though, he had an iceberg’s chance on Mars of making it through. He said he prayed a lot about dropping out and God told him, “Not now, Tim.” Truth is, ‘Not ever, Tim.’ I have watched all three Debates now and there is a lot of cringeworthy stuff being said by the candidates and I think, “Who the hell would want any of these folks in the White House?” And, like both DeSantis and Ramaswamy, Scott is a dumbass.
In the second debate, Mr. Scott said this, “America is not a racist country.” Imagine a Southern Black man making this comment? The nation has still not atoned for the nearly 5,000 people that have been lynched, about three-quarters of which were Black. Check it out:
Yes, you’re a sick country, America, and unfortunately I don’t think there is a tonic available to make you better. Your political leaders, and mostly your elected Republicans, are completely out to lunch when it comes to serious adult issues.
Let’s discuss Abortion in this post. Many of your Republican leaders say women in their states cannot have access to medical care to terminate a pregnancy for any reason whatsoever and it is now well documented that this includes rape and incest and the health of the mother. How can this be? Who are these appalling people that would compel a woman or child to carry a pregnancy to term? How heartless and cruel.
Well, here are some:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/06/30/abortion-incest-mississippi-pregnancy-gunn/
I believe that conservative America has a puritanical and moralistic hang-up about abortion. I think it is rooted in an evangelical self-righteousness that a gestation in the womb becomes a kind of Christian public property, that a conception is vicariously sacred to all. Of course, you are on your own after you’re born, kiddo, and don’t ever ask for universal health care. The country doesn’t need no more Commies.
Following is what Mike Pence said on a CNN Town Hall on June 7 of this year. Problem is, government spending and support for newborns and their parent(s) does not begin to deal with the issue of an unwanted pregnancy and the reproductive rights of mothers.
“Pro-life stance on abortion: Pence made clear he would not deviate from his anti-abortion position, saying, “We will not rest or relent until we restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law in every state in the country” and that he does not apologize for being pro-life. On the question of a federal ban on the procedure, Pence said he supported exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. He also offered qualified support for social spending programs to help support newborns and new parents but stopped short of specifically endorsing paid family leave for all Americans or subsidized child care.”
An after-thought on the Pence view: an unwanted child, whether in an already impoverished family, or otherwise, does not restore sanctity.
For a nation that claims to champion human rights and personal liberty and freedom, it is hypocrisy that rules and a bunch of old white farts, mostly men, virtually all Republicans who want to decide for the people. A woman must have the autonomy and be able to decide for herself whether or not to terminate the pregnancy — this is a certainty that must again be protected in law.
Pro-choice is pro-freedom. Pro-life is not.
A last thought on Senator Scott. He brought out his girlfriend for all to see following the third debate this week. The senator espouses Christian and family values — is he allowed to enjoy pre-marital sex with this lady? Isn’t it a sin if they sleep together? What would happen if she became pregnant? Just wondering.
Fortunately, in America, the majority of folks want reproductive health rights and access to abortion protected and this has been borne out even in Republican controlled states where referenda seeking to restrict or deny abortion rights have failed. There is some reason for hope.
We are lucky in Canada, a woman’s right to abortion is enshrined in law. There was a fight to get there and one well worth it.
More posts on American troubles to come.