Elections Have Consequences, Particularly for Women this Year

October 16, 2008 @ 11:59 AM

A group calling itself Women Against McCain Palin (WAMP) unveiled a powerful ad on some networks following the presidential debate that directly addresses one of the most frightening prospects of a McCain/Palin administration. The ad features a young woman with a horrific story to tell:

"I was raped, and then I got pregnant. Sarah Palin believes that the government should be able to force me to carry the pregnancy to term. Sarah Palin believes that the government should make that choice, not me. Governor Palin, I didn't have a choice about being raped, but I should have a choice about this."

When Senator John McCain put scare quotes around the need to protect the "health" of a woman even during a late-term pregnancy during last night's debate, it only helped put back into focus the president's important role in selecting judicial appointments. Both McCain and Palin are on record in opposition to Roe v. Wade, and with two of the Supreme Court's most liberal (and reliably pro-choice) justices expected to retire during the next president's administration, Roe v. Wade could easily bite the dust if Republicans somehow pull off a presidential miracle.

Sadly, the health (no scare quotes required) of young women is not only in jeopardy in the presidential race. California's Prop 4, if passed, would require underage girls to notify a parent or guardian before seeking an abortion. While this is an instinctively appealing concept for many parents who rightfully believe that it is ideal for them to be involved in their teenager's reproductive choices, the reality is much more complex. Most teenagers who come from loving supportive homes would of course involve their parents if faced with a pregnancy. For most of these girls, Prop 4 will have little impact.

But for the girls that come from abusive homes, forcing them to inform their tormentors could place them at risk of further abuse. This problem is exasperated of course if the girl is a victim of incest. For these vulnerable girls already facing immense struggles, the choice is simple and cruel: face further abuse at home or seek dangerous back-alley abortions. By removing their access to safe and supportive clinics, some will be further bruised and beaten, some will be disfigured because of a botched abortion procedure, and some will die.

Luckily, it appears almost certain that Senator McCain and Governor Palin will lose this November and thus be unable to reshape our country's privacy laws and put women's health at risk. But Prop 4 has been ahead in the most recent polls and stands a reasonable chance of passing. So if you were moved by the WAMP ad, if you were as disgusted as I was over McCain's heartless perspective on women's "health", don't bother getting even because that election is far less likely to result in a negative outcome. Instead, get mad, and when you've sufficiently brought your blood to a boil, channel your anger to good use by helping out the No on Prop 4 campaign.