The Government Might Shut Down, But at Least We'll Have Free Condoms

on April 7, 2011 at 6:05 PM

planned parenthood sign The rumor from Washington is that progress is being made on the budget standoff. But will it be fast enough to avert a government shutdown before the Friday deadline? Not everyone is optimistic.

The biggest obstacles to the deal at this point? Namely, disputes over two hot-button issues: defunding family planning services at Planned Parenthood and preventing the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

When it comes right down to it, what should be a discussion about numbers and how the government should slash spending has turned into an ideological debate about an issue that has been splitting the country in two for decades. Is this really the best time to argue about abortion?

Here's Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid expressing his frustration with Republicans for "drawing the line in the sand" over abortion and, in effect, stalling the negotiations:

We can’t solve in one night a disagreement this country has been having for decades. It’s not realistic. It’s not realistic to shutdown the government on a debate dealing with abortion ... It’s not fair to the American people.

The irony, of course, is that the Republican amendment to defund Planned Parenthood wouldn't directly decrease abortions. That's because Planned Parenthood doesn't allocate any federal money to abortion services; it's used for cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, general reproductive health, free condom distribution, etc. Moreover, the amendment would save only $330 million -- which is paltry considering the total amount the Republicans want to slash.

Yet, the GOP is digging its heels in over a policy issue at this critical time. And the Democrats are pissed. Here's Reid again:

The numbers are basically there ... the only thing holding up an agreement is ideology.

I don't know about you, but I don't think ideology and side policy provisions have any place in the conversation about the deficit. Moreover, a dislike for Planned Parenthood (and the EPA) isn't a good reason to shut down the government -- in fact, it's a really bad reason. Let's have the abortion debate at another time when there isn't a huge budget deadline looming. Or is that too much to ask from our lawmakers?

Image via S.MiRK/Flickr

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: barack obama, in the news, politics

Comments (9)

butterflymkm

on Apr 7, 2011 at 7:21 PM

Agreed. Let's worry about that later.

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PonyChaser

on Apr 7, 2011 at 8:18 PM

Later, when?

The next time we're faced with a government shutdown? Because then the Dems will be blaming the GOP for stonewalling AGAIN.

The next time they discuss the budget? Then the Dems will be crying that the GOP "hates women" and wants to hang kittens by their toes until they're dead, just for good measure.

The fact of the matter is... THE DAMN GOVERNMENT IS BROKE. WE DON'T HAVE ANY EFFING MONEY. PASS THE BUDGET, FIX THE ECONOMY, and then we can argue over whether we should be funding free condoms, or cancer research, or whatever.

on Apr 7, 2011 at 8:33 PM

And you do realize, don't you, that this is another "extension" bill, it's not the actual budget. Further, it has already passed through the house, but the DEMOCRAT-led Senate is unlikely to pass it, and even if it does go through the Senate, President Obama has vowed to veto it.

What is the problem? Dems don't like that it states that abortions can't be funded federally. So why not pass it? Further, this bill is the one that would ensure that the Military gets paid, whether the government shuts down or not.

So before you start throwing mud at the Republicans, make sure you have plenty in your bucket for the Democrats, too. Because they're just as slimy as their counterparts.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20051803-503544.html?tag=stack

hoticedcoffee

on Apr 7, 2011 at 9:37 PM

Rather than saying 'hey, can't we worry about this later???' why don't you ask 'hey, why the hell didn't you take care of this when you had the chance?' - you know, back in October 2010, when the budget was due?? I'll tell you why - it's because the Dems knew they were in for some shit in the November elections and their big-ass bloated budget was going to make it even worse. So they punted in an attempt to save as many seats as they could. And now the strategy is to blame the Republicans for a shut-down over hot-button issues that they could have fully-funded last year if they'd passed a budget. But instead, they march out the big bleeds - abortion, and the eldery - making sure they play just the right chords. And bloggers and media outlets take the bait, chew it up, and shit it out like trained rats.

Nonmember comment from Memaw

on Apr 7, 2011 at 10:48 PM

As the spouse of a federal employee it really chaps my hide that my my livelihood is threatened by the political maneuverings of DC. Also, military personnel are federal employees and will not receive paychecks. GROW UP DC.

dissidentX

on Apr 8, 2011 at 2:30 AM

really I love the idea of a government shutdown that word in the US doesn't really mean what it sounds like. the politicians continue to be paid and the police that protect them stay on the job. the military doesn't get paid though.. It's just more evidence of the oligarchy we live in. The politicians make enough from the lobbyist perks that they could afford to lose pay but nahhhh; they have tax dollars to spend and rich friends to bail out.

ethans_momma06

on Apr 8, 2011 at 2:56 AM

Wait wait. I like how they make the conservatives out to be the bad guys here. 'Why not just leave planned parenthood and EPA alone so that we can pay our military?' 'Why don't you just drop these REDICULOUS conservative ideals at a time like this? We need our government! Bad conservatives, bad!'

How about the liberals decide which is more important? Planned parenthood funding or military paychecks? Seems like a no brainer to me.

And my GAWD. 330 MILLION dollars is not just a 'drop in the bucket' so poo poo it because it's so trivial to a country who is in excessive massive debt. When you are beyond broke insanely SOL'd, every penny counts. E-V-E-R-Y penny. And that goes for household AND goverment. Each penny counts and 330 million dollars is a hellov a lot of pennies.

billsfan1104

on Apr 8, 2011 at 10:25 AM

We can turn this around and say that the dems would rather fund Planned Parenthood(which I suspect hides what they use with federal money), then fund the military. It works both ways. And PP gets a lot of donations, and if women truly think that it is that important in their lives, they can donate to PP to keep it open.

Nonmember comment from Annie

on Apr 8, 2011 at 5:02 PM

Wake up you guys. The government isn't broke at all: it injected hundreds of billions of dollars into the banking sector last year. They're just being slaves to private corporations and colonialist wars in the Middle East. The easiest way to save in such circumstances is to cut any social/health/environmental services. Which is basically what humanity needs to survive. Sad, sad world.