The National Organization for Women is infuriated with Barack Obama for passing a Health Care bill that does not provide subsidized abortion or extend benefits to illegal aliens. Citing the fact that abortion is one of the most common medical procedures women undergo in the United States, NOW President Terry O’Neill blames “Catholic bishops and extremist abortion rights opponents” for preventing government-backed abortion coverage.
Reading O’Neill, one might assume that most Americans like the idea of chipping in to help women eliminate unwanted babies. However, that is far from the case, and it is more likely that most Americans have moral issues with abortion, and would rather not be involved in paying for it. The hysteria and mischaracterization that NOW engages in is part of a long tradition of left-feminist activism, and brings the antics of Bob Avakian’s Revolutionary Communist Party (read their amusing publication) to mind.
As objectionable as the concerns of NOW may be, the health care bill does raise issues that divorced/single fathers may want to consider. For example, will men be required by law to pay premiums for their ex-wives and children, whether they have the money or not? Given legislation passed in the 1980s and 90s, it seems almost inevitable that this will be the case, and the bill will impose yet another obligation on struggling fathers who are having a tough time making ends meet in this economic recession.
