I get most of my news from the Times and from the internets. So I'm not sure if this sort of thing is being reported on cable news networks. Forgive me if I am talking about a story that has received as much media attention as, say, the Scott Peterson trial.
Over the weekend, the lame ducks in Congress passed a spending bill. Spending bills are not really that exciting unless they're laden with all kinds of things to get you riled up. And guess what? This one's full of them. The USA Today story is a good summary. Some highlights:
The Presidential Yacht: Two million dollars to re-purchase a big boat. I find it offensive that we're spending money on a yacht instead of on, say, health care for poor children.
More Big Brother: This one almost slipped in. Would you feel all right with members of Congress looking at your tax returns? Because that's what they wanted to do.
Chipping Away at Choice: Oh, and this one did slip in. In this "spending" bill, there's a provision that allows health care providers, physicians, and HMOs to refuse to perform abortions for non-health reasons. This provision goes beyond the actual act of abortion; it also covers health counseling and information. Basically, if you're a woman who wants information about or a referral for abortion, and your doctor is anti-choice, that doctor doesn't have to give you any information if you ask for it.
Bread and circus, anyone?
Over the weekend, the lame ducks in Congress passed a spending bill. Spending bills are not really that exciting unless they're laden with all kinds of things to get you riled up. And guess what? This one's full of them. The USA Today story is a good summary. Some highlights:
The Presidential Yacht: Two million dollars to re-purchase a big boat. I find it offensive that we're spending money on a yacht instead of on, say, health care for poor children.
More Big Brother: This one almost slipped in. Would you feel all right with members of Congress looking at your tax returns? Because that's what they wanted to do.
Chipping Away at Choice: Oh, and this one did slip in. In this "spending" bill, there's a provision that allows health care providers, physicians, and HMOs to refuse to perform abortions for non-health reasons. This provision goes beyond the actual act of abortion; it also covers health counseling and information. Basically, if you're a woman who wants information about or a referral for abortion, and your doctor is anti-choice, that doctor doesn't have to give you any information if you ask for it.
Bread and circus, anyone?
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