Why We March

Are you going to one of the local Women’s Marches this weekend?  I hope so! The rising tide of disgust with Trump and his enablers felt by many women is a powerful force for change in 2018.  Republicans have reached the stage where Paul Ryan is pitching for women to have more babies to fund Social Security and Medicare.  “I did my part,” he said.  Really?  Maybe that is why the administration is so focused on reducing access to birth control.  That’s about the only enabling policy they can think of to increase the work force.  The United States remains one of the few countries that doesn’t mandate parental paid time off.  The “paid leave” proposal shoehorned into the tax legislation is just another tax giveaway for corporations that already provide paid leave.  One-quarter of new mothers are back on the job less than two weeks after giving birth.  Even more disturbing, maternal mortality is on the rise in the U.S. 

And speaking of women’s health issues, let’s not forget the strenuous efforts to repeal Obamacare and to make it harder for low-income women to access Planned Parenthood, reduce private insurance coverage for abortions and allow states to reduce maternity coverage. After failing mightily on this, the policy has turned to one of death by a thousand cuts.  First, the individual mandate was repealed; expect the employer mandate to go next.  At a time when 60% of Americans say the government should be responsible for ensuring health care coverage for all, Republicans still talk of health care as a privilege.

And our Congressman?  No friend to reproductive rights.  Lance has a 3% rating from Planned Parenthood Action Fund and a ZERO rating from National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) for his steadfast opposition to family planning and reproductive health care.   

At least 62% of Lance’s constituents oppose defunding Planned Parenthood, yet Lance has voted repeatedly to defund this important women’s health care resource particularly vital for under-insured, uninsured, working class and low income women.  

Turn out, march, and let Congressman Lance know the women are coming. For him.