I try not to get too political anymore.
There’s no better way to spike my blood pressure than a spirited political debate, and
I’m getting too old and cynical to think my opinions matter much, especially in
the extremely polarized American political landscape. However, yesterday the Supreme Court decided it was perfectly legal for corporations to invoke their* religious rights to deny women birth control, regardless of why it might be needed, as
part of health insurance benefits packages. Therefore, it seems apropos
to come out of retirement and risk an apoplectic episode.
There’s no better way to spike my blood pressure than a spirited political debate, and
I’m getting too old and cynical to think my opinions matter much, especially in
the extremely polarized American political landscape. However, yesterday the Supreme Court decided it was perfectly legal for corporations to invoke their* religious rights to deny women birth control, regardless of why it might be needed, as
part of health insurance benefits packages. Therefore, it seems apropos
to come out of retirement and risk an apoplectic episode.
Unfortunately, I cannot share my opinion on
this matter without it immediately being pointed out that I do not live in the United States. It seems that as a non-resident, some feel I have no right to discuss current and pressing events about
my country of birth since I choose to live elsewhere than a place that I should ostensibly be fiercely “proud” to be from and want to live in. It
is regrettable that as an expat my comments are often misconstrued as a
simultaneous indictment against the United States and preference for my country
of residence. This isn’t a contest, but it does strike me that it explains an
awful lot about our approach to national pride if we can be as proud of achieved accomplishments as things in which we play no part, such as
being born and raised. Why should I take pride in something in which I had no
control? If praise is due for that whole born and raised bit, I’m going to be proud of my mother (whose civil rights were diminished as
of yesterday, along with every other woman in the country).
this matter without it immediately being pointed out that I do not live in the United States. It seems that as a non-resident, some feel I have no right to discuss current and pressing events about
my country of birth since I choose to live elsewhere than a place that I should ostensibly be fiercely “proud” to be from and want to live in. It
is regrettable that as an expat my comments are often misconstrued as a
simultaneous indictment against the United States and preference for my country
of residence. This isn’t a contest, but it does strike me that it explains an
awful lot about our approach to national pride if we can be as proud of achieved accomplishments as things in which we play no part, such as
being born and raised. Why should I take pride in something in which I had no
control? If praise is due for that whole born and raised bit, I’m going to be proud of my mother (whose civil rights were diminished as
of yesterday, along with every other woman in the country).
Don’t get me wrong. America is home to a
lot of awesomeness: highways, cities, thoughts, people, sights and works of art
(Of Mice and Men is one of my
favorites, Michael Gove). I’m not saying I don’t get a pang of homesickness
when I see the US team sing the national anthem before their World Cup games, or
get excited when I hear an American accent in a crowded room abroad. I love the
States. It is so diverse, both ethnically and topographically, and the
mannerisms of Americans are always going to be easier for me to intuitively
understand than those of anyone else in the world. We’re a welcoming, open,
persevering bunch who have inhabited desert, swamp, mountain and plain, and I
love it! But I’m not “proud” of any of these qualities or accomplishments- I
had no part or say in them. I do, however, have a say in where we’re going.
lot of awesomeness: highways, cities, thoughts, people, sights and works of art
(Of Mice and Men is one of my
favorites, Michael Gove). I’m not saying I don’t get a pang of homesickness
when I see the US team sing the national anthem before their World Cup games, or
get excited when I hear an American accent in a crowded room abroad. I love the
States. It is so diverse, both ethnically and topographically, and the
mannerisms of Americans are always going to be easier for me to intuitively
understand than those of anyone else in the world. We’re a welcoming, open,
persevering bunch who have inhabited desert, swamp, mountain and plain, and I
love it! But I’m not “proud” of any of these qualities or accomplishments- I
had no part or say in them. I do, however, have a say in where we’re going.
I posted an ever-so-slightly inflammatory
Jezebel article on my Facebook profile last night about SCOTUS, and it elicited
responses that I should thank god as a woman that I’m not from Somalia or somewhere similar.
This is probably the most fundamental problem contributing to decisions like Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. It is so inappropriate, yet so American, to hide behind
ostensibly highly developed, democratically condoned rights and point to those
without them to justify bad policy and miserable politics. It’s plain wrong and
offensive to conflate women’s rights across the world. To compare them or insinuate that because
you’re from one place rather than another you’re intrinsically better off is an
insult to the trials and tribulations women around the world must endure due to
different
and incomparable
cultural, political and economic norms.
Jezebel article on my Facebook profile last night about SCOTUS, and it elicited
responses that I should thank god as a woman that I’m not from Somalia or somewhere similar.
This is probably the most fundamental problem contributing to decisions like Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. It is so inappropriate, yet so American, to hide behind
ostensibly highly developed, democratically condoned rights and point to those
without them to justify bad policy and miserable politics. It’s plain wrong and
offensive to conflate women’s rights across the world. To compare them or insinuate that because
you’re from one place rather than another you’re intrinsically better off is an
insult to the trials and tribulations women around the world must endure due to
different
and incomparable
cultural, political and economic norms.
The issue, as it applies to women working
in the United States and relying on employer-provided health care, is that
health insurance benefits are compensation for work done. An employer has no
right to stipulate how employees use their compensation. Period. (No pun
intended.) Therefore, it seems more than strange that an employer can stipulate
whether a woman elects to use birth control as
part of her compensation package, especially when as many as 90% of womenreport needing birth control for medical reasons rather than, as Republican Senator Mike Lee yesterday called it, “recreational behavior.” The more Conservatives cry for
the government to stay out of our hearth and home, the further they shove in
god- and they’re doing a good job, considering he’s reached the womb.
in the United States and relying on employer-provided health care, is that
health insurance benefits are compensation for work done. An employer has no
right to stipulate how employees use their compensation. Period. (No pun
intended.) Therefore, it seems more than strange that an employer can stipulate
whether a woman elects to use birth control as
part of her compensation package, especially when as many as 90% of womenreport needing birth control for medical reasons rather than, as Republican Senator Mike Lee yesterday called it, “recreational behavior.” The more Conservatives cry for
the government to stay out of our hearth and home, the further they shove in
god- and they’re doing a good job, considering he’s reached the womb.
I do know that, upon my return to the
United States, I will be asking potential employers up front whether they offer
birth control coverage as part of their employee compensation package, regardless
of whether I plan on using it or not. If they don’t, I won’t continue the
interview process. I guess, besides this little diatribe, that’s about all I
can do in the face of the very loud, very backward and very out of touch
religious lobby. You very well may say it’s my right to cut off my nose to
spite my face and turn down jobs on principle, regardless of your opinion
about this matter. You probably even think, hey, that’s her decision and luckily it’s a free country. But it
certainly is starting to feel a little constrained to me, my wallet and my womb.
But what do I know? I’m just a woman.
United States, I will be asking potential employers up front whether they offer
birth control coverage as part of their employee compensation package, regardless
of whether I plan on using it or not. If they don’t, I won’t continue the
interview process. I guess, besides this little diatribe, that’s about all I
can do in the face of the very loud, very backward and very out of touch
religious lobby. You very well may say it’s my right to cut off my nose to
spite my face and turn down jobs on principle, regardless of your opinion
about this matter. You probably even think, hey, that’s her decision and luckily it’s a free country. But it
certainly is starting to feel a little constrained to me, my wallet and my womb.
But what do I know? I’m just a woman.
*this isn’t incorrect grammar. Corporations
are people, too! Women, though? Meh.
are people, too! Women, though? Meh.
Comments
I've gotten to the point now where sometimes I don't even share my own blog posts on my Facebook – I don't want to start an argument that boils my blood! Some of the comments on your Fb were ridiculous. The other annoying thing is that people have begun criticizing not only the issues, but also the news sources. Sure, Jezebel isn't known for breaking news stories or analytic debate, but it's cultural commentary and I find it perfectly legitimate to put this story next to a map of Basic Bitches.
I really like the way that Jezebel editorializes stories (they entertain me) but of course its not like that's my only news source. Anyway, I guess we both have to blog in a box for a bit so we don't get all riled up- at least we can read each other's posts 🙂