Bush will never learn. Or the American people wont. After such a "thumping" and huge losses at the midterm elections, didn't we all think that President Bush would take a few days, ponder the outcome, reflect on the message that so many Americans attempted to send by way of the ballot box? I did.
I thought maybe, just maybe, Bush will drop the ideological blanket of the radical right and begin to adopt a more moderate "uniter" type policy planning, appointment making, Saturday radio address kind of attitude.
I was wrong.
So what has good ole Gerogie #43 gone and done this time?
Why aren't we sending congratulations? Why should there be concern? Because the man that Bush has appointed to the office that oversees federally funded teen pregnancy, family planning, and abstinence programs is an anti-contraceptive, antifamily planning, anti-pre-martital sex advocate of the highest order. Of course, many American's may also embrace these same beliefs; but I'd argue that none of them should be appointed to head this agency either.
Currently, Dr. Keroack is medical director of “A Woman's Concern,” a Christian nonprofit organization that opposes premarital sex (supporting sexual abstinence until marriage), contraception and abortion. In fact, none of the six centers he leads in Massachusetts distributes information promoting any type of birth control. They adhere to counseling of abstinence. Pretty easy gig if you ask me. By the time most women wander into a family planning clinic, for whatever reason, they have either already participated in sex, or are hoping to. It makes me wonder how broad Dr. Keroack's knowledge would be concerning practices and policies that he seriously disagrees with.
Dr. Keroack embraces some chilling doctrines, such as: "A Woman's Concern is persuaded that the crass commercialization and distribution of birth control is demeaning to women, degrading of human sexuality and adverse to human health and happiness" – excerpt from his agencies contraception policy.
I am highly insulted with that statement. I feel that one way I can be demeaned as a women, is to let ideological believers of stone age family planning techniques dictate what, if any, birth control I choose to use. I find it highly insulting and ridiculous that men feel the need to insert themselves in an issue that is highly personal; though socially, culturally, and legally permitted, in these United States, in regard to a women's personal choice of birth control. Especially since they will never be faced with an unwanted pregnancy, well, at least not the physical and emotional part of it. Of course, as far as family planning; a husband does have responsibility and should be encouraged to participate in those decisions.
Why should we be concerned with this questionable appointment? Because it illustrates that President Bush just doesn't care about Americans or what we want. The midterm elections were a clear statement that America is ready for another course of action. Not just in Iraq, but in domestic policy planning, also.
By overwhelmingly voting Democrats in, we sent a message that was abundantly clear. Some still argue that many didn't vote Democrats in as much as they voted Republicans out. But remember, it is worth noting that not one incumbent Democrat lost, and that has NEVER happened in a US election before.
The vast majority of Americans do not trust, or approve of many of this administrations actions over the past 6 years. We've been horrified at Bush's inability to go outside a very small, ideological pool of applicants or appointments for anything; while sticking to questionable practices that stretch the constitution to it's limits.
For instance, when he couldn't get John Bolton approved for UN Ambassador, he chose the cowards way in, a recess appointment, banking on the fact that Republicans would retain power and vote Bolton in before the temporary appointment expired. It didn't work.
And now with this questionable, laughable, perplexing appointment; Bush has once again shown that his appetite for cronyism, ideological layering at the highest levels of government, and his "I don't give a shit attitude" has not been mitigated in the least. Bush hasn't missed a beat, or a good nights sleep! He caused his party great losses 3 weeks ago, and other than unceremoniously throwing Rumsfeld under the bus and deciding to get some more pages in his passport stamped, he hasn't shown any indication of changing course, changing attitude, changing morals, or changing into a caring President of "we the people."
An appointment at this level, with the opportunity for funding cuts, diversions, and flat out program removals, could be devastating for future family planning efforts. Plus, it has been the goal to continue to see abortions dwindle in the US, mostly due to expanded family planning efforts and birth control availability for those who need it most, the poorest women in low income areas. It works, and it's a principled and humane path to broader accepted family planning practices. Abstinence is always a great alternative, if taught early enough. But it should not be the only advice or information provided to the majority of teens and women.
Bush is still presiding and representing the smallest percentage of the small minded in our society. Bush just doesn't get it. They couldn't care less about him. Yet, the majority of us common folk, do care. So why has he forsaken us? Could it be possible that he really is a dumb ass? And I mean that in the most respectful way. Perhaps he really doesn't do his due diligence, and relies o
