Roe V. Wade Suffers A Gop Knockdown, What's Next?
When a boxer is under a barrage of blows from an opponent and gets knocked down, there is concern in that boxer's corner. He was knocked down, but not out, but he is staggered by the blows never the less. That is the state of the federal law passed in January of 1973 making abortions legal in America, the law titled Roe v. Wade, is under attack by Republicans and Texas Republicans in particular, have succeeded in knocking Roe v. Wade out in their state! The Republican-led Texas legislature, passed the ban on abortions in May and it went into effect September 1st. That means a woman in Texas can't get an abortion anywhere in that state, she would have to go out of state for that service! And who do you think would be most affected the most by this GOP stunt? Minority and poor white women.
I don't know about you, but I'm so tired of old white men telling women what to do with their bodies, what are they, the Taliban? I find it ironic that Republicans are quick to say, "It's my choice to get vaccinated or wear a mask", right? At the same time, they don't feel a woman has the right to make choices about her own body! Hypocrite much? Regardless of your position on abortion, and I understand it is a controversial subject, something much greater is at play here. It is no secret the Republicans would love nothing better than to overthrow Roe v. Wade, not for religious reasons as they espouse, but for the purpose of ginning up a voting block that supports them, the religious right! You can agree or disagree, it doesn't matter to me, cultural wedge issues are all the Republicans have to offer the American people. They have no policies or ideology to present to the country other than a platform of White supremacy and violence, Madison Cawthorn I hear you loud and clear!
What concerns me about the GOP in Texas acting unconstitutionally, is that what other federal laws would they overthrow if they don't like them? And what of other Republicans in other red states, might they follow the lead of Texas regarding federal laws they don't like? Texas is acting like they are not part of the United States and that is a scary thing! Would they like to bring slavery back too? You think I'm being over dramatic? No one thought Jan. 6 would happen either! Texas is the first domino to fall in chipping away at Roe v. Wade and I'm sure other states are waiting in the wings. Elie Mystal, of the NATION, writes. "These attacks on women's rights would not be happening if Ruth Bader Ginsburg were still alive or if the Democratic Party hadn't ceded the courts to forced-birth proponents. Mississippi, Texas, and a dozen or so other states expect to get away with this stuff because the Supreme Court is controlled by conservatives who are on record as being against the rights of women." Ms. Mystal adds, "There is another aspect of this Texas law that is extreme, even by conservatives' forced-birth standards. The Texas law, known as S.B. 8, places a cash bounty on abortion providers and empowers any citizen to come collect." If you as a citizen turn someone in for providing an abortion, you could receive $10,000, like a bounty! Susan Collins, do you still think Brett Kavanaugh won't try to end Roe v. Wade? Clutch your pearls and tell us how appalled you are, again!
So, what does this all mean? Any facility or doctor, performing an abortion is subject to a $100,000 fine and could face life in prison under the ban. The law almost completely bans abortions and lets ANYONE sue abortion providers and others who help someone get an abortion. Women of Texas, this is what Ted Cruz and others of his ilk, think about your reproductive health and your ability to make decisions regarding the welfare of your family! Face it, ladies, The GOP has declared war against YOU!
Roe v. Wade is one of many federal laws on the books and it has taken a severe body shot and is down on one knee. Will Republicans get the chance to deliver a knockout blow by the Supreme Court? Only time will tell not only about Roe v. Wade, but other laws the GOP doesn't like! Everyday our democracy is being chipped away at little by little, like the frog in boiling water being turned up ever so slightly. This is how democracy dies, slowly, until one day you look around and the President is now the "Dear Leader!" We the people need to be mindful of this and remain vigilant in our fight to keep our democracy. If Republican dismantling of Federal Laws on the books continues because they don't like them for political reasons, as a people, we will lose this democracy for sure! Don't think it can't happen.
James J. Smith James Smith, is author of several books. The most recent, "My View is Different, a Blackman's view of America" is available at Amazon.com.
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