“First of all, from what I understand from doctors, (pregnancy from rape) is really rare,” Akin told KTVI-TV in a clip posted to YouTube by the Democratic super PAC American Bridge. “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”
Akin added: “But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.” -- (Akin on KTVI)
Congressman Todd Akin’s controversial statement about abortion is a candid declaration by a candidate. The Democratic party in Missouri, including embattled incumbent Claire McCaskill, is taking one sentence and explicating a host of execrable assumptions out of it just to cover up for years of profligate taxation, spending, waste, debts and deficits which are bankrupting Missouri and the country.
The real shame is that media pundits and political activists are jumping up and down about this one comment for the wrong reasons, and that the Republican Party is pressuring Akin to step down. I for one commend Congressman Akin for apologizing for sharing this view, but I hope that he chooses not to step down.
The viewing public in this country must choose to be enlightened and informed voters. Hollow attacks and misquotes do not deserve to dominate the public discourse.
Akin said a stupid thing – that does not make him a stupid man or an
unacceptable candidate. Claire McCaskill’s liberal agenda of expanding the
state at the expense of the voters today and the unborn children of future
generations, all of whom will be burdened with the immoral debts and deficits weighing on this country, deserves greater scrutiny. This woman brazenly supported “ObamaCare,” a crushing entitlement which has robbed Medicare by $700 billion while issuing burdensome regulations which have forced hospitals to close, while forcing health insurance premiums way up and considerably diminishing access.
Refering to the real issues with Akin’s comments, I do not agree with Akin’s phrasing of “legitimate rape,” nor do I accept the notion that the human body will “shut down” in order to prevent the pregnancy. I do not agree, either, that abortion should be outlawed completely, even in extreme cases of rape, incest, or the life of the mother is in jeopardy. However, I do agree that our communities should spend more time punishing individuals who have raped others, rather than focusing first and foremost on terminating the life of the baby born as a result of such a traumatic crime, although the option must remain available.
One of the most progressive movements in the country, Feminists for Life, has a number of liberal advocates, yet they have also advanced a number of arguments which point out the potential dangers of abortion. The group has provided numerous accounts of victimized women who chose to have the child, despite suffering rape. The point is that the issue of abortion is too fraught to be decided one way or another by constitutional fiat, either by amendment or by judicial ruling, nor should this issue be reduced to inane sound-bites.
I am unapologetically pro-life, and I am unapologetically pro-freedom. Even Boalt Hall School of Law Distinguished professor Sanford Kadish pointed out that life is the chief right from which all other rights descend: see Blame and Punishment: Essays in the Criminal Law (1987).
The real problem with abortion, then, is about the decision-making process. However, the Republican Party would be warring against its limited-government principles in making a black-and-white decision regarding the full criminalization of abortion. Because abortion involves the life of an unborn person, this issue must be decided with respect to life, not law.
Personally, I believe that every state should be permitted to enact legislation which outlines the limited exceptions when abortion is tolerable, with full
understanding that it is a life that is at stake, both the mother as well as
the child. Neither the Supreme Court nor the federal government has any right to dictate into the lives of others, nor can a blunt instrument like federal law protect our unborn children the way that individuals and local communities can.
Mr. Akin made a poor remark, one which should engage the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as the voters and the institutions in this country, to respect life, but also to respect the fact that life is tragic in many cases, and that the federal government has no business attempting to prevent this reality.
Having shared my thoughts on this issue, I fully support a more aware, more discerning Mr. Akin, or any other Republican who runs against Ms. Claire McCaskill. Because the embattled Missouri incumbent supported ObamaCare, the outrageous encroachment of the state into our daily lives, the embattled incumbent has demonstrated unequivocally that she is neither “pro-choice” nor “pro-life," but “pro-tax,” “pro-spend,” “pro-government,” and therefore “anti-Missouri.”
I hope the children of tomorrow have healthcare like my Medicare, but without the profit seeking insurance industry. For example, my Coventry dental coverage was fine this year, until late in January they changed the rule for getting service outside the network. I'm sure a government program would not have rejected my claim to see my dentist that I have been seeing all my life. The problem is not putting government between me and my doctor. Its putting insurance companies between me and my doctor. I'm looking forward to drop Coventry and find a new Missouri exchange. When I brought this up with Todd Akin during a telephone town hall meeting, he ignored my concerns because his people muted my phone. And I too, will remember this when I go to vote in November.
Conventry did not change to their new policy until after they had OK-ed my January visit. Then when my doctor made a claim, they denied it for going out of network. If the government was in control, I would have only had to pay my deductible amount.
Would you work for a non-profit for a deceit pay and satisfaction that you are helping the health industry deliver the best service at the best price. Are there any non-profits with minimum paperwork, ads and co-ops with dedicated doctors and hospitals? My daughter received money back from 2010 because the insurance company could not give it as bonuses to employees who minimized healthcare to customers. This is a consequence of ObamaCare requiring 80% of premiums going to healthcare.
Don't you have enough problems in Calif to write about? I would also like the names of the hospitals that have closed because of Obamacare. How much were you paid to write this article?
If Roe vs. Wade were overturned, the right wing would have to come up with another wedge issue call to incite the single-issue voter mindset. And surely it will be a doozy.... Arthur, Akin also has said "Liberalism really is hatred of God." probably the most demonizing statement one could make--and at least a few people on these forums agree. Sounds like something Bin Laden would say about America. Are we missing the debate there too?
Here are some data which you can visit regarding hospital closures: California: http://www.californiahealthline.org/articles/2012/2/9/2012-forecast-for-calif-hospitals-predicts-fiscal-problems-closures.aspx Pennsylvania: http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/17/the-growing-list-of-obamacares-casualties-first-hospitals-then-politicians/ New Jersey: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/analysis_nearly_every_nj_hospi.html NJ The law fails to take into account illegal immigrants, who will neither be able to purchase insurance, nor will they be taxed for non-compliance : http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/health-care-law-ignored-illegal-immigrants-hospitals-may-154832135.html Even worse, the IRS has determined that the law fails to cover workers and their families: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/us/ambiguity-in-health-law-could-make-family-coverage-too-costly.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=health Thanks for your question. Every Senate race matters to me in large part because I support repeal of ObamaCare and real healthcare reform in this country. Thanks!
This article link on the dilemna goes all the way back to 1990s -since then off the top of my head, St. Mary's in East STL closed, as well as Forest Park Hospital/Deaconess and perhaps a few others have closed -and all not-related to Obamacare. http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/9704070484/st-louis-public-hospital-imperiled ...Oh, I forgot - you are in California and wouldn't know about what's going on here. ----------------------------------------------- One thing you have gotten right Arthur, is we are missing the issue on this Akin situation. And that issue is how extreme will the ideologues on the right will take us.
I have corresponded with both candidates. From Akin, I get the kind of blather that he displayed this week. From McCaskill, I get explanations. Like them or not, she works hard, and I get the impression that she considers what I have to say. "From Jan 2001 to Aug 2012, Akin missed 387 of 8465 recorded or roll call votes, which is 5.0%. This is worse than the median of 2.4%." http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/todd_akin/400005] Akin has missed a LOT of votes recently. Perhaps if he was doing what we pay him to do, he wouldn't be in his colossal mess. "From Jan 2007 to Aug 2012, McCaskill missed 44 of 1777 recorded or roll call votes, which is 2.0%. This is better than the median of 2.4%."[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/claire_mccaskill/412243] Quiz question: who has sponsored 70 bills, including "Stop Wasteful Federal Bonuses and Conferences Act of 2012" in her first 6 year term? Hint, the same senator who sponsored "repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress". Of those 70, 4 have been signed into law. One of those names a specific post office building. All 3 of the others had bipartisan support. Who has sponsored 52 bills, 4 of them "Pledge Protection Acts" over the last 12 years? Of those 52, 3 have been signed into law. Each of the 3 names a specific post office building.
I've also read dozens of articles (if not hundreds), medical journals, and portions of the bill itself. I also have 1 doctor and 2 nurses in my immediate family who have to deal with the repercussions of Obamacare every day. A lot of this bureaucracy hasn't even yet gone into effect, and won't until 2014--can't wait! I too have have many personal dealings with McCaskill on this. Besides speaking at one of her town halls, I have had three face-to-face meetings with her staff. One day when I called urging the Senator to oppose the bill her chief of staff started an argument with me on the phone and hung him up on me! So much for "listening" to constituents...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d30WeztgXHo I also will not soon forget handing the same man a petition with 300+ signatures of registered voters who signed against the bill. Mr. Burns tossed the petition aside and said "These don't matter"...I just beg to differ...
I have three children with pre-existing conditions and had premature twins with a hospitalization that totaled nearly 1 million dollars--so I think I am "qualified" to have an opinion on healthcare. The way to solve our healthcare problems should not be an "all or nothing" type of approach. Also, "Medicare for all" doesn't make sense because Medicare won't cover everything. I worked at a Credit Union where we sold supplemental insurance for things that Medicare wouldn't cover. According to our data Medicare covered about 80% of procedures.