GOP follies continue with contraception issue
The U.S. Senate votes today on an amendment by U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, Republican of Missouri, that not only exempts religious-affiliated institutions from having to cover contraception through health insurance but extends that exemption to any private business that questions contraception on “moral” grounds.
Politically, Republicans apparently believe they have a winner in the issue and a number of conservative pundits have encouraged them in that faith. But every poll I’ve seen tells quite a different story.
The most recent is a newly released CBS News/NY Times poll in which 65 percent of voters back the Obama administration’s requirement that birth-control costs be covered by health insurance. Fifty-nine percent believe that requirement should also apply to religiously affiliated employers.
And among Catholic voters, the ones supposedly so upset that their church’s religious liberty has been “attacked”?
“A new New York Times/CBS News poll has found that 57 percent of Catholic voters supported the requirement for religiously affiliated employers, like hospitals or universities, to cover the full cost of birth control for their employees, while 36 percent opposed it (7 percent said they did not know). There was almost no difference between Catholic and other voters on the question.”
The Obama administration, in other words, is far more in tune with members of the Catholic Church than are the leaders of that venerable institution or the Republican Party. In fact, it’s been fascinating to see how quickly and easily conservatives can convince themselves that this time, this time, they’ve finally got the American people behind them as they rush into political battle, only to look back behind them and find that same small band of followers urging them on against the multitudes.
That’s what happened on the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance, which is why the House Republicans have had to beat such a hasty retreat on those issues in recent days. Positions that they once thought would make them wildly popular have instead become huge burdens that they are trying to shuck as quickly and quietly as possible. And it’s happening now on the contraception issue as well.
In fact, as this contraception issue plays out, the huge “gender gap” I wrote about Monday, with female voters backing Obama by more than 20 points over both Romney and Santorum, will be cemented into place and perhaps even expand. It’s a long way between now and November, but if Republicans want to turn this trend around they better start doing things differently.
And doing things differently just doesn’t come naturally to them.
– Jay Bookman
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GOP follies continue with contraception issue - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Healthy Living
February 15th, 2012
10:08 am
[...] GOP follies continue with contraception issueAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Roy Blunt, Republican of Missouri, that not only exempts religious-affiliated institutions from having to cover contraception through health insurance but extends that exemption to any private business that questions contraception on “moral” grounds. [...]
man behind the curtain
February 15th, 2012
10:15 am
Truth is “smoove” Obama has pretty much played the GOP congress his whole term. They thought handing over an economy in tatters and monstrous debt would be a stick they could beat him with. So far he’s done most of the beating.
Jerome Horwitz
February 15th, 2012
10:15 am
The Grand Ostrich Party once again sticks their heads in the sand. With all the issues that truly need attention they engage in garbage like this. I just can’t fathom why all the fuss about this – it’s the 21st century folks. Not the Dark Ages.
jm
February 15th, 2012
10:16 am
yawn. if Obama would just start regulating the rubber industry better, I bet we could get rubber prices down enough where they could just make condoms as available as straws in a fast food restaurant.
on the substance of the issue: folks, let’s tell the federal government to beat it and get their nose out of our business.
carlosgvv
February 15th, 2012
10:16 am
Republican motovations in contraception , as in all other issues, are determined solely by what they believe will get them the most votes. They believe the crazed Tea Party is the Party future and will act accordingly. If they are proven wrong in the Nov. election, look for them to do the Romney flip-flop on this and most other issues.
Granny Godzilla
February 15th, 2012
10:17 am
and the contraception trap closes around the skinny ankles of the GOP.
too funny by half!
Granny Godzilla
February 15th, 2012
10:18 am
Condoms made of rubber?
Do you bounce?
Granny Godzilla
February 15th, 2012
10:18 am
jm
rubber?
do you bounce?
Granny Godzilla
February 15th, 2012
10:19 am
sorry about the double post
but count it as a double dribble for jm
Common Sense
February 15th, 2012
10:19 am
Tell us again why the government should tell the private sector what they must pay for.
So people are able to afford health insurance but cannot afford to pay for their birth control?
And because of that, the rest of us must be forced to pay for that coverage?
Who are all these people who refuse to pay for something they need because they expect others to foot the bill?
Bryan G.
February 15th, 2012
10:20 am
The Catholic poll is kind of a joke, honestly. Some Catholic churches are more conservative than others. The more conservative ones – that do not support BC – should not have to provide it as part of an insurance policy.
You can’t just say “Catholic” any more than you can say “Jewish” and assume it’s this homogeneous glob that all have the same beliefs religiously or morally.
Mr. Holmes
February 15th, 2012
10:20 am
There is no limit to the right-wing capacity for self-delusion. I posted about this on Facebook, simply a short post asking how this issue qualifies as a political winner, and a righty friend immediately accused me of “nonsensical ranting.”
southdem
February 15th, 2012
10:21 am
This is the natural result of the development of Fox News and talk radio. The Republicans live in their own echo chamber and they never get different points of view, or if they do, they don’t believe them.
Ben Shockley
February 15th, 2012
10:21 am
Who gave the president the right to force insurance companies to do anything, much less provide free contraception? Apparently there’s been another amendment to the Constitution. Guess I messed the memo…
Ben Shockley
February 15th, 2012
10:22 am
“Who are all these people who refuse to pay for something they need because they expect others to foot the bill?”
Liberals……………
ty webb
February 15th, 2012
10:22 am
this arguement over “contraception” alone is a loser for the GOP…they need to focus on the mandate of “obamacare” in general, and why it needs to be repealed. Focusing on one aspect, contraception, is a loser, politically.
Mr. Holmes
February 15th, 2012
10:23 am
Who gave the president the right to force insurance companies to do anything, much less provide free contraception?
Umm, there are myriad government regulations regarding all manner of insurance, not just health. At both the state and federal level.
Not a Neal Boortz Redneck
February 15th, 2012
10:23 am
Its all the GOP has now.
Other than lying, of course. “Obama is a S O O O O C I A L I S T!”
Meanwhile Larry Fink, who manages $3.7 trillion (more than anyone in the world), says go 100% into stocks.
JohnnyReb
February 15th, 2012
10:24 am
No wonder there is such idiological divide, the Left has not a clue what the debate is truly about.
There is cultural and moral issues within, but the core is Liberty. The Left continues to give away their liberties in favor of the nanny state.
Obamacare is the largest give up of Liberty in our history and the current debate is but the first collateral damage with many more likely to arise.
The Right does not want to ban contraceptives. Instead, they want to give Liberty to business owners to offer or not offer it with the government’s nose out of it.
The 65% is not surprising since too many citiizens today want everything given them.
USinUK
February 15th, 2012
10:26 am
“Who gave the president the right to force insurance companies to do anything, much less provide free contraception? ”
darlin’, if you’re paying a premium, it AIN’T FREE …
but, thanks for your poutrage …
Mr. Holmes
February 15th, 2012
10:26 am
Instead, they want to give Liberty to business owners to offer or not offer it with the government’s nose out of it.
I assume then you’re in favor of allowing employers to choose not to cover cardiac or prenatal care? Or allowing the Mormon church to “opt out” of anti-bigamy laws?
St Simons - we're on Island time
February 15th, 2012
10:26 am
so out of touch with 21st century America, it’s just cringe-worthy
what dey tryin to do mon, evoke so much pathos that they get pity-votes
can we have a 5 inning mercy rule, like in little league?
Ben Shockley
February 15th, 2012
10:27 am
“Its all the GOP has now.”
If you only read the AJC, I guess that’s what you would believe. For people who can think on their own, let’s see, there is;
1) Multi-trillion dollar annual deficits
2) Douobled national debt
3) sustained unemployment
4) clownish foreign policy
5) gasoline headed to $5/gallon
etc, etc, etc
USinUK
February 15th, 2012
10:27 am
“The 65% is not surprising since too many citiizens today want everything given them.”
and, again, it’s not being GIVEN to you if you’re effing PAYING for it …
sheesh …
ty webb
February 15th, 2012
10:27 am
Funny how one can write about the echo chamber of “fox news and right wing radio”, in a left wing echo chamber…in a left wing echo chamber…in a left wing echo chamber…oh the irony…oh the irony…oh the irony.
Common Sense
February 15th, 2012
10:29 am
SunkinUK,
If what you pay does not cover the costs of your expenses, indeed it is free.
Now if you wanted to charge higher premiums for those that choose the birth control option, we could talk.
But you know that is unacceptable. You want others to pay your way.
Nothing new here….
Ben Shockley
February 15th, 2012
10:29 am
USinUK, did you make that “poutrage” term up all by yourself? Is “poutrage” what causes you libs to whine about the rich not paying enough taxes when they pay virtually ALL the taxes? LMAO…
TaxPayer
February 15th, 2012
10:29 am
Republicans is trying their bestest to show us that they can indeed by stoopider than once thought even possible. What they needs is a following with bigger torches so they can be in the majority.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
February 15th, 2012
10:29 am
Well, I don’t see why people can’t just stop Doing It. That way, there’d be no need for birth control and this whole flap would go away. Anyhow, with this country being in so much trouble and all, seems to me people should be willing to give up fun. Matter of fact, I’m not having much fun and I don’t see why other people should have fun. Besides, it’s for having kids. What’s the point of having birth control if it blocks you from having kids?
Just don’t make me pay taxes to support your kids. I’m all for forcing the women to have kids, but I draw the line when it comes to making me pay to raise them.
Have a good Hump Day everybody.
Joe Hussein Mama
February 15th, 2012
10:29 am
B. Shockley — “Who gave the president the right to force insurance companies to do anything, much less provide free contraception?”
You clearly don’t understand how medical insurance got to the state it is in the first place. Go do some reading about the history of medical insurance in the US, then when you’ve educated yourself on the topic, come back and we can discuss.
“Apparently there’s been another amendment to the Constitution. Guess I messed the memo…”
No, you’re just unaware of that whole ‘regulating interstate commerce’ power that the Constitution explicitly grants to the government. You’re also clearly unaware of, again, how we got health coverage paid for in the way we do in this country.
John Galt
February 15th, 2012
10:30 am
Paying $3 for a $12 meal is not paying your way….
sheeesh…..
JohnnyReb
February 15th, 2012
10:30 am
Holmes – you are overboard.
USinUK – employer provided insurance is paid in large part by the employer. That is the debate here – if employers must include contraceptives in their insurance plans. If there is a copay for the drug, you are only paying for a portion. No one says you can’t purchase and pay the full amount. It’s called choice; it’s called Liberty.
USinUK
February 15th, 2012
10:31 am
“I assume then you’re in favor of allowing employers to choose not to cover cardiac or prenatal care? ”
or Scientologists to not cover ANY meds for mental health …
mm
February 15th, 2012
10:32 am
I am so tired of churches trying to dictate our laws. It’s time to strip all churches of their tax exempt status.
Bryan G.
February 15th, 2012
10:32 am
@Johnny Reb – you’re spot on. The left has no idea what this debate is about.
Liberals think – for better or worse – that is government has the ability to do something and it will benefit people, it must be inherently good. Birth control for all is, in a vacuum, a good thing.
Conservatives (well, true conservatives) think: Even though this program may be good, does the government have the right or authority to do it?
AmVet - Like most decent Americans, I'm a Marxist.
February 15th, 2012
10:32 am
First Asscroft and now Blunt.
Missouri can really pick some winners, huh?
Since at least World War II, a Republican candidate for president has never taken a majority of Catholic votes.
And doing things differently just doesn’t come naturally to them.
No doubt, though that assessment may be a tad harsh.
I believe a compelling argument can be made that the GOP is no longer stuck in 1951.
They have rocketed up to 1952.
Joe Hussein Mama
February 15th, 2012
10:32 am
B. Shockley — “5) gasoline headed to $5/gallon”
I do not repose any trust in your prediction of commodity prices, but if you can accurately predict the COB prices of a dozen commodity prices on a date say, six months hence, then I might start believing your predictions on this score.
Not a Neal Boortz Redneck
February 15th, 2012
10:33 am
1) Multi-trillion dollar annual deficits
2) Douobled national debt
3) sustained unemployment
4) clownish foreign policy
5) gasoline headed to $5/gallon
All Bush legacy. I don’t care how many times you complain about hearing it either.
And Obama is taking foreign thugs out left and right without expensive ground wars. The Bush deficit is shrinking and the market says the economy is healing. Crude oil prices are 2/3 Bush highs and production is way up.
Hannity talking points are nothing but lies.
Jerome Horwitz
February 15th, 2012
10:33 am
Rather than say “free” it should be that these services are part of the premium. While employers pay a majority of the premium employees do indeed pay part of the premium and should have more say. This is just another good reason why we need single payer health coverage in this country. Along with the fact we spend more that any other country and have horrible overall health statistics.
One thing I’ve noted, and it is a generality, is that conservatives worry more about the rights of companies and liberals are concerned with the rights of individuals.
JohnnyReb
February 15th, 2012
10:34 am
ty webb – if conservatives did not participate on this blog the bus would have ended up on the left ditch long ago. The number of posts per Jay piece would be drastically down. And most of all, the Left would think they have won.
ByteMe
February 15th, 2012
10:35 am
No wonder there is such idiological divide, the Left has not a clue what the debate is truly about.
Really? So the majority of people have no idea what this debate is about? Fascinating elitist attitude you got going there.
You just hate that your team is losing AGAIN.
TaxPayer
February 15th, 2012
10:35 am
Paying $3 for a $12 meal is not paying your way….
Is that the latest Groupon deal.
Granny Godzilla
February 15th, 2012
10:36 am
Follies is the perfect word.
Ta Ra Ra Boom De Yay!
This is a HUGE mistake for the right.
HUGE. BIG. LARGE. GINORMUS.
ByteMe
February 15th, 2012
10:36 am
The number of posts per Jay piece would be drastically down. And most of all, the Left would think they have won.
Just like all over the south, white make southerners are convinced they are 100% right about everything, just because that’s the only people they talk to.
USinUK
February 15th, 2012
10:36 am
Bryan G – I don’t know about “conservatives” or “liberals” – but I can tell you what *I* think …
*I* think that it’s complete and utter BOLLOCKS that ANYone has the right to deny me access to safe and legal drug in my insurance simply because THEY don’t agree with it. You don’t like it / think it’s immoral, then you have the right to NOT use it … you, however, do NOT have the right to deny anyone else access to it.
Bryan G.
February 15th, 2012
10:36 am
Jerome Horwitz – you summed up perfectly (although inadvertently) the divide here.
A religious employer should have the RIGHT to not provide something it deems against its tenants.
An employee at a religious employer has no RIGHT to birth control. As a matter of fact, there’s no RIGHT to health care. These are not individual rights.
I’m all for individual rights – speech, religion, assembly, to remain silent, to have a gun – but birth control ain’t one of them. (and I’m not anti-birth control. Heck, we need more of it.)
TaxPayer
February 15th, 2012
10:37 am
Lest I checked, Republicans can still freely liberate themselves at the RiteAid up the road. They still sell Trojans to anyone with the purchase price, no questions asked.
JohnnyReb
February 15th, 2012
10:37 am
ByteMe – the way the Left and main stream media is reporting the issue, plus the fact that poll results can be manipulated with the question and who is asked, calls into question the 65%. Plus, there are so many people on the government doll now that if you subtract their affect the number is low. The true answer will be in November.
Bryan G.
February 15th, 2012
10:37 am
USinUK – If I’m your employer – and you work for me, you should work under my terms. You don’t have a RIGHT to birth control.
And, nothing about the policy says that you can’t go out an buy your own. You certainly may.
TaxPayer
February 15th, 2012
10:39 am
If JohnnyReb did not post here, how would we know what the one percent is thinking.