Just in time for Women's History month, PA's Forced Ultrasound Bill and The Blunt Amendment allowing any employer to deny
The Trouble With Harry
PA State Rep. Harry A. Readshaw (D, PA-36) not only cosponsored the odious Forced Ultrasound (Rape by Any Other Name) Bill, he was completely out of line when replying to a constituents' letter to him about it (blogger Amadi). He began his thoroughly condescending letter to her by addressing her by her first name only. He proceeds to divulge his daughter's private medical condition as a part of his argument and concludes by letting Amadi know that he's looked up her voting record. Amadi also notes that the letter is handwritten -- perhaps to ensure that there is no digital trail (I guess he neglected to find in his inquiries that she is a popular blogger). Please read her account of it here, including a photo of his correspondence). I'm embarrassed to add that he is also my Rep.
What's the Matter With Bob?
Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) was one of only three Democratic US Senators to vote against killing the Blunt Amendment. One must suppose that he favored it on the basis of his Catholic faith -- even though it was so broad as to allow employers to willy-nilly ignore any insurance coverage requirement (and as noted by Sen. Barbara Boxer, allow insurance companies free rein to deny coverage on "moral" grounds as well -- like that wouldn't be abused). Here's Obama for America's take on the bill, Bob:
(Click to enlarge)
Hey! Wait a minute? Doesn't Bob work for us? I think we should all vote on what health care coverage we want to deny him. Please be as arbitrary and capricious as you like! Also, I agree with Marcy Wheeler that Bobby (as someone who's been on the public dole for many years) needs to disclose to us, his employers, details as to what his history of reproductive choice has been, including details on what kinds of birth control he and his wife have used and who paid for it, as well as whether he's used erectile dysfunction drugs, and who paid for it. It's only fair! After all, employers have a right to have a say in these matters.
2 comments:
I couldn't figure out how to reply to Amadi, not being Facebook etc. literate, so am commenting here. I fully agree with her opinion of Readshaw, but 2 responses: 1) she shouldn't be further exposing R's daughter by passing on, verbatim, his ill-considered description of her problems; and 2) everyone's voting record is public knowledge -- not WHO you voted for, but THAT you voted. This is why those of us who are "supervoters" (vote in every election) get so many phonecalls; campaigns target the likeliest voters. So I think, no illegality on R's part in looking up her record.
That employer authorization form is priceless and says it all. The idea that an employer's religious liberty is violated because of what an employee does in the bedroom is outrageous. Tim Murphy is another local boob that can see though is Vatican-colored glasses on this issue.
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