‘The starkly different choices this November’

When will the Republican Party stand up to the extreme right wing, reject its medieval view of reproduction and end its war on women?
Elections should be about the economy, jobs, energy, health care, preserving natural resources and maybe even world peace. But once again, the private issue of abortion is politically center stage.
But maybe we should thank Republican Roy Akin for his insensitive remarks about rape and pregnancy. He highlighted how his party manhandles issues relating to women. At least it’s clear what’s at stake in November. GOP candidates carefully crafted statements sounding sympathetic to rape victims, but they didn’t oppose their party’s adoption of Akin’s position in their platform which says that if elected they will create a constitutional ban on all abortions, even in cases of rape or incest.
Congresswoman Nan Hayworth stated she cares about women but she failed to demand that Rep. Akin rescind his statements or drop out of his race. Despite a medical degree she has not challenged Akin’s ignorant comments about basic biology, rape and pregnancy. She stayed in step with her party’s position which is “the government gets to decide women’s reproductive choice. No exceptions,” while also saying she favors less government.
The American public has paid a high price for the GOP’s relentless attacks opposing sex education, birth control and Planned Parenthood. Ignorance is dangerous, especially for people in public office who create laws and policy.
If the GOP required its candidates to read some basic science books about biology and human reproduction, they’d be a kinder, gentler party.
Akin’s and Hayworth’s position banning abortion even in cases of rape and incest is common in today’s GOP. In fact, it’s Paul Ryan’s position.
Thanks to Akins’s blunder more women voters are aware of the starkly different choices this November.

Willa Freiband, president
Orange County Democratic Women
Central Valley