Oh, come on! The refusal to pay for abortion does not, as you put it so hysterically, take away women's access to health care. It simply omits federal funding for the most dangerous, inhumane form of birth control available to the American people. Perhaps increased coverage for the population will encourage individuals to actually take some personal responsibility and not get pregnant in the first place. This is safer, less expensive, and less psychologically painful for the woman involved. Why would we not want to encourage this outcome? If this bothers you, get ready for some rude awakenings over the next years. Government intrusion into healthcare will mean lots of "nudges" into more desirable, less expensive behavior through the power of the purse.

Charmingly I expect that in the next few days all your liberal dude friends will be trying to explain to you that this is really no big deal, look, they had to get the Republicans/"Democrats" onboard SOMEHOW, this is just a battle but we won the war, etc etc.

Tell it to Speaker Pelosi.

I think the Health Care Reform in general is a bunch of B.S. And the only thing Obama has managed to do well is to run down a country founded on God and morals. I dont believe that the federal govenment should pay for the murdering of children because people dont feel like taking care of them. There are millions of people in the world who cant have children and would love to adopt. If you dont want them, give them t somebody that does!

Oh, yes, Ann, women's health care and any other women's rights and needs and interests are indeed peripheral to the men who run the Democratic Party, and becoming more so all the time. Just as it is for Gays, and for anyone who is not rich, white, male, and religious or willing to bow to the religious rightwing. We have been tossed overboard time after time. We are not full people, we are not equal citizens. And I see no evidence that it is going to change. And this applies to Obama as it does all the rest. No matter what empty words he and the rest of them utter, the truth is we are not truly important in their eyes. We are always and everywhere expendable. As the saying goes, I want to tell them, "I can't hear what you are saying because your words are drowned out by your actions. "

Danny- Get over yourself. Identity politics do not resonate with the majority of people, including Democrats, for a reason. The issues in this country should be addressed by rational, thinking PEOPLE, not gays, or whites, or poor, or rich, or women. We all belong to different groups, but ultimately, it is absolutely insulting to suggest that any person who is a women, or gay, or any other adjective, is somehow more or less valuable in politics. By making these statements, you confirm that you do not deserve to be taken seriously. If all you think about is how policies affect you as a woman, you are leaving out 50% of the population- something I think Ann eluded to...

The problem is, we put the "progressive" label on these politicians, and therefore expect them not to trample on women's rights and civil liberties in general. But we forget that they are politicians, not progressives, and they're willing to throw any and all of us under the bus to prevent them from looking bad. Obama and the Democratic leadership are happy about this because they got something done and won't be called failures, and despite the callous disregard for human rights, they know that you are still going to vote for them anyway. So it goes.

"Oh, yes, Ann, women's health care and any other women's rights and needs and interests are indeed peripheral to the men who run the Democratic Party, and becoming more so all the time."

Um, 75% of the Democratic caucus voted against the amendment, including all of the House leadership.

Being pissed about amendments and whatever else is all fine and good, but these constant histrionics from some quarters are really getting tiresome. The Democratic Party didn't throw women under the bus, nor did Barack Obama or "Democratic leaders." 25% of the House Democratic caucus joined with every House Republican to form a relatively narrow majority in favor of a shitty bill.

" Obama and the Democratic leadership are happy about this because they got something done and won't be called failures, and despite the callous disregard for human rights, they know that you are still going to vote for them anyway."

So you want them to...what? Pack it in on this whole universal healthcare thing because of this amendment?

i am somewhat leftwing but i think they did the right thing. abortion is elective surgery. unless it is rape you should pay for it yourself.you have the right to HAVE an abortion not have it for free. to frame this as an infringement on women's rights and (you might as well just come out an say it ) sexist is absurd.

From reading some of these delusional posts one would think that only anti-abortion types pay the taxes in this country. I'm tired of these people deceptively calling themselves "pro-life" when they support the death penatly and this senseless war, both paid for with our tax dollars. You want to control women. You are not motivated by respect for human life.

It's ridiculous that a woman who works for the government, and who has a health plan through her employer, cannot get abortion, a legal medical procedure, covered. The Stupak Amendment would now prohibit women from getting an abortion through any private insurance company on the exchange. So this limits the right to an abortion even more than the Hyde Amendment. When are women going to wake up?

And frankly, why should my taxes pay for some guy's Viagra? I'm calling my representative and demanding that Viagra no longer be covered. I shouldn't have to subsidize some guy's sex life.

Fuerthermore, the sicko Catholic Church, which is full of molesters, needs to stop interfering in our public policy. They are bigoted against women and they are bigoted against gay people.

The Democratic Party didn't used to be about discrimination, but it looks like they are willing to throw women and gays under the bus. Isn't that something after we all worked to elect the first black president? He has his nerve. I will NOT vote for the Democrats in in 2010 or 2012.

First and foremost, I need to apologize for being gone for so long. I had been ill for the last couple months, and it has kept me from pushing forward in the fight for freedom. The time has come. The anger is back. The fight must go on. Our government continues to try to push our country down the road they seem fit. They have continued to ignore the voice of the people. I have said it before and I will say it again, the government works for us. We do not work for them. They have forgotten that. Some of the American people have forgotten that. If you don't stand up and tell everyone you see that We the People are in charge of this country, not the government, then we will continue to lose control. Our elected officials must remember that they are there to serve us. Our forefathers wanted us to decide what is best for us, not the government. Washington thinks we are all unable to make our own decisions, decide what is the best course of action for ourselves, and our children. They have already made a decision for my four children, and all of yours. They have decided to force them to pay for a deficit that grows more each day. Our children are owned by China thanks to our bailout bills. This is not only about us, it is about our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren etc. I recently read a book by Glenn Beck called "Glenn Beck's Common Sense." I want you to buy the book, borrow it from a friend, go to the library, whatever it takes to get your hands on it. Then read the first couple pages. Make sure to read all of the Introduction. It will most likely explain to you who you are, were, or will be. Its a short book, and I read it in a day. I don't always agree with Mr. Beck, but I have nothing but respect for him. This is a fine piece of literature. And you need to read it. Our Constitution continues to be used as toilet paper by the people we pay to defend it. You may or may not want Universal Health Care. From the looks of all the town hall meetings, it would appear that a lot of people do not. Do not let Congress decide for you. Tell your elected officials that not only do you want to see the bill so that you know everything that is in it, you want to know how it will be paid for. And then tell them you want the issue placed on a ballot. Let the American people decide if this is what we want. After all, the government is overstepping their boundaries by trying to pass such an act. The can't efficiently run Medicaid, Social Security, the entire State of Illinois, their own checkbook, and retirement funds without going into the red. What makes us think they will do anything different with our health care. It is not the governments job to baby us. I have said in the past, too many people have a false sense of entitlement. You are not guaranteed anything in this life except what the constitution guarantees. You want a cell phone, money for food for the rest of your life, and a nice home? Use one of the many programs we have already to further your education, get a job, and work for it like the rest of us do. The pursuit of happiness means you must pursue it. It will not come on a silver platter for you. Don't get me wrong, people should be granted aid in a time of need. But it needs to be short term and there needs to be motivation for them to better themselves. How did this country get so lazy? Why do we keep letting the government have more control? The only way to change things for the better is to force the laws to be changed. Term limits for every elected official throughout the country. I don't care if that person is a road commissioner; two terms and pack your bags! We need to hold elected officials responsible for their words and actions. Lie to us on the campaign trail, get elected, and then stick a knife in our back? Your out, fired, terminated! If I went to work and lied to my bosses (after all that is what you are, the government's boss) I would be fired before I finished the sentence. When you say your going to do something to the people who pay you...do it! The tea parties are nice and are bringing the right attention, but they are not changing a thing. It is time for all of us to make a plan for change and execute it. We need to root the corrupt, ethically challenged people out of our government and tell them never again! This is our lives, our children, our country. We will not stand by and let the government control us any longer. Glenn Beck has asked us to ask everyone we know the following questions. Answer them yourselves and then share it with everyone you know. My answers are in red.

1. Do you trust those in power to always tell you the hard truth - especially if it would hurt them at election time? No
2. How is it possible that every president since Jimmy Carter has promised to lower our dependence on foreign oil, but now we import more oil than ever from countries that do us harm? Because it is not about We the People, but about big business getting what they want.
3. Are we to honestly believe that a country that took the idea of man walking on the moon and turned it into a reality within eight years, or the country that built a transcontinental railroad in seven years (without power tools or machines) doesn't have the ability to completely build the 670 mile fence along the southern border that was promised in 2005? If our govenment really wanted this fence done. It would be already.
4. Why are the same politicians who insist America is a "melting pot" the first ones to insist that different races, nationalities, and ethnicities retain their distinct languages, identities, and practices? For more votes. If you want to be American, embrace America!
5. Why are the people who respectfully question global warming mocked and condemned? Because it is against the view that is beheld at the time. Science from both sides must be heard, so We the People know what we are up against.
6. Do you believe that your elected representatives view themselves as truly being "public servants" who place your well being above their own? I think they look at us as the servants, as they continue to get rich off of us and big business.
7. Do you believe that those in Washington see your face when they make decisions or, instead, the faces of those who richly contribute to their campaigns?
8. Do you believe that our "public servants" have your best interests at heart and will defend your life, liberty, and property? I don't think they see a face at all, except for Ben Franklin's face from the $100 bill.

Depending on how you, and the people you ask, answer those questions you are one of three things. One of us who is tired of being kicked around by a corrupt, greedy, government. One of them, who like a bigger government than what the founding fathers had in mind. Or the third class, one who is clueless on the issues at hand and need to be waken up to see how far off course we have gotten. Thomas Jefferson said it best, "When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." The government does not fear us, and never will until we unite, raise our voices and demand change. Join me in the fight to set America free. Share your ideas with me, and everyone else. But lets not just talk, lets act.

David Bourne
http://americarebourne.blogspot.com/

There are pro-choice Republicans in Congress. Unfortunately, all of them fell in line with the GOP leadership and voted against the bill Maybe if pro-choice activists made a point of targeting pro-choice Republicans, Obama and Pelosi would have had enough votes to stop the Stupak bill. As it was, they had to pass the bill with only Democratic votes (plus Cao) and thus didn't have the votes to stop the amendment. Did you think they should abandon health care reform and had the Republicans a huge win, just for requiring abortion funding? The reason pro-choice groups lose these battles is because they expect other people to fight them. As it stands, in 2010 NARAL and the rest will probably back all the pro-choice Republicans who abandoned them in their hour of need. That's why you lose fights.

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Don't blame me; I wrote in HRC.

Bute, hey, remember? Obama is what a feminist looks like.

I am not certain but believe this will simply be stripped out in committee.

I think that is why is passed so easily, everyone just voted in line with their short term benefit, knowing it would finally be ineffective.

I could be wrong but feel fairly confident when I say this is much adieu about nothing.

Ann falls into the usual mistake of pointing out that so many of the Congress who voted for the amendment are men.

But the amendment would have passed even more surely if it were up to women.

Most pro-lifers are women. Most pro-choicers are men.

This is just as true today as it was in 1978, when Carter vetoed abortion under Medicaid ("life is unfair"). The country is still too divided about abortion for it to be covered under public health care.

And especially as long as doubts about abortion reside more among women than among men, the amendment cannot be framed by a liberal female like Ann as taking away "our" rights.

I'm with you that this is a major setback. But, as a progressive gay male, I'm afraid I fall into that category you describe--this is winning the war, though losing a battle. The overall legislation will be worth it even if we have to sacrifice one of our core beliefs in the process. We gays and lesbians have been dealing with this sort of identity/culture war politics for a long time, and I would be up in arms if something exclusionary such as this were tacked onto a minor bill to get it through. But this is really something entirely different. As David Brooks said on MTP this weekend, people love health care. Once this becomes law, it will not go away. We'll be able to work for positive change through the new system, but putting the system there in the first place is the most important task right now. It doesn't feel good to be thrown under the bus, but it feels less good to think about the status quo alternative (or far worse, the GOP alternative). If this is how it needs to get through, then so be it. Here's hoping the amendment comes out in conference. But if it jeopardizes the bill, we'll all be in a much worse situation than we could be if we have to create alternative structures for affordable abortion rights.

Wow, that anti-choice crowd is out in numbers today. For some reason, they always think it is acceptable for the well-off to get an emergency abortion if it comes up, but the unwashed masses must be forced to see the pregnancy through.

Stop and think about how stupid this amendment is, even from a pure pro-life position. If abortion isn't covered by insurance, poorer women will spend more time raising the money required, meaning abortions will happen later in the pregnancy. Brilliant.

When it comes to the abortion issue please do not judge until you have walked a mile in someone else's shoes. It is my understanding no matter what the outcome an unwanted pregnancy is devastating. Birth control is not fool proof (says it on the box) and let’s be honest...abstinence doesn’t work.

Women born in to poverty, or ones who simply cannot afford this costly surgery, should be supported by this government to make the choice to break the cycle and not bring more babies into a home, neighborhood and planet that is already overcrowded.

Not all unwanted pregnancies are a result of negligence or rape.

I think we should prohibit federal funds being used for viagra and prostate screening. I mean, after all, you can pay for that yourself. Or maybe you can rely on a committee to ensure you have access to total health care.

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