Here is the woman that Rush Limbaugh called a "slut" and a prostitute because she dared to go to the US Congress and speak about women's reproductive health issues and their right to have them. Sandra Fluke is a law student at Georgetown University and she took this responsibility upon her self, to speak on behalf of women and their access to birth control. At one meeting, she was declared unqualified to speak on the issue of religious liberty and birth control, while 15 men were permitted to do so. It seems Congress thinks that men know what women's health care needs are better than they do. However, she was able to voice her concerns at a Democratic hearing. Rush Limbaugh used the defamatory words to describe this intelligent young woman, even though we have the right to free speech, just because he disagreed with her position. He used his radio program, which is aired on 600 stations and reaches an audience of some 20 million people, to insult this young woman's character. His choice of words is appalling and degrading to women everywhere. I read that several advertisers are choosing to longer buy spots on his show. I hope they all pull out. I just may go find out who the hell supports his show and boycott their products!
Now religious institutions want to decide which medical treatments women should be covered for under their insurance based on moral judgments. Congress voted and, "The 51-48 vote killed an amendment that would have allowed employers and insurers to opt out of portions of the president's health care law they found morally objectionable. That would have included the law's requirement that insurers cover the costs of birth control. Democrats said the measure would have allowed employers and insurers to opt out of virtually any medical treatment with the mere mention of a moral or religious objection." Seriously? Who is anyone to pass moral judgment on medical treatment and the use of birth control?
The way I see it, I would rather young women use birth control than have abortions for unwanted pregnancy. To me that is the responsible and moral thing to do. Young women delaying pregnancy until they can afford to have and take care of their own babies is something we should be encouraging. Young women, married or single, in college or those just starting out at jobs, have good reason to wait before starting families. Without birth control, many would get pregnant and either opt to abort the baby, give it up for adoption, keep it and struggle financially, maybe have to drop out of school, or be dependent on tax payer dollars for assistance. Do we really want young women to drop out of school to raise babies instead of finishing their education and becoming tax paying contributors to society? Women using birth control are taking the responsible and moral approach for themselves and society if they are trying to prevent pregnancy and, besides that, it's no one's business why they need birth control, it may have nothing at all to do with pregnancy.
Just for the record, birth control pills are used for many medical reasons, not just preventing pregnancy. Birth control pills are used to alleviate very painful cramps during a women's menstrual cycle. The pain can be so debilitating that it can cause them to take time off from school or work, and the pill is used to treat that condition. Some women suffer from very heavy bleeding or very irregular cycles that can be as short as 22 days or as long as 38 days. Heavy bleeding leads to a loss of iron, which can lead to anemia. The pill is used to treat those conditions. The pill is also used to treat moderate to severe acne because it controls hormonal activity responsible for the condition. Some women have an excess of male hormones that causes hair growth in unwanted places, such as the face, and the pill helps prevent new hair growth. If a woman suffers from ovarian cysts, the pill prevents new one from growing. The pill also helps prevent the excessive mood swings or migraines related to PMS. Some women find that low-dose birth control pills can help control perimenopausal symptoms and keep periods regular. So the pill is used to treat many conditions that have NOTHING to do with preventing pregnancy and everything to do with WOMEN' HEALTH. Why should men care if birth control isn't provided by insurance? These conditions do not affect them. Why should religious institutions and insurance companies decide that birth control isn't moral? Of course contraceptives should be covered by insurance companies for all women equally. To think otherwise is ludicrous.
If you want to listen to what Sandra has to say about Limbaugh's personal attack on her, I have posted the video below. I really do not understand how anyone can listen to this man. I really don't. Thank God this young woman is taking on this challenging issue. I see big things for her in the future.
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