Fund Planned Parenthood
Feb 3 2012
The Susan G. Komen Foundation has stopped funding Planned Parenthood because it’s under a Senate investigation. The investigation is spurious, another attempt to kneecap women’s reproductive rights, and all evidence points to a political motivation on the part of the foundation. I’m not happy with all the complaints about “Christians trying to keep women from having abortions.” For one thing, I’m a Christian and I’m all for reproductive rights. For another, PP does a lot more than abortions (only 3% of their funding goes to that), although for women in need that service can be crucial. It’s also too reductive to say, “Conservatives are trying to take away women’s right to their own bodies.” True conservatives want government out of people’s lives, not interfering with their choices. This comes down to one group of people trying to make it difficult for another group, mostly poor women, to not only make their own choices but to get free birth control and breast care. Poor women should not be put at risk because some political fathead has decided there’s a moral high ground he’d like to occupy to get votes.
But there is an upside to this: this decision has permanently damaged the foundation, and donations are pouring into Planned Parenthood. I think Planned Parenthood is always a good place to send your money, but right now, donating is voting, it’s a very public and tangible way to say, “I do not agree with what’s happening and I want to make sure the work Planned Parenthood does continues.” You don’t have to give a lot; Planned Parenthood is reporting not only the monetary amounts but the number of donors, so any gift is a vote. If you can’t afford to give (and believe me, I sympathize) sign a letter of support so your voice will still be heard.
I usually try to keep Argh from being political, although it’s no secret I’m an independent liberal. But I think this goes beyond politics. It’s time we took our country back from that 1% who seem to be running it and go back to taking care of those less fortunate who can’t buy political favor. Five or ten bucks to Planned Parenthood is one fine way of saying, “This stops here. This is not who we are.”
Argh will return to its usual frivolity tomorrow. Tonight, I feel the need to fight the good fight.
