Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sheshe2

(83,324 posts)
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 10:38 PM Jul 2014

The GOP’s Other War On Women: 5 Gender Battlegrounds Beyond Abortion And Contraception



The GOP’s Other War On Women: 5 Gender Battlegrounds Beyond Abortion And Contraception

AlterNet — Republicans are having a tough time shaking the “war on women” label, probably because they can’t stop themselves from sounding — and voting — like a bunch of raging misogynists. But when they do try to deflect this particular brand of sexism, it usually goes something like, “[Women are] more than just a set of reproductive organs, and I’d like someone to talk to me about how they’ll help my pocketbook and keep my health care plan that I like.”

Despite evidence to suggest that plenty of Republicans very much view women as a set of reproductive organs, this is verbatim what a Republican strategist told the New York Times last week in an attempt to challenge the idea that the GOP is a party of caveman bigots. It’s also what Mike Huckabee tried to communicate when he argued that the GOP opposes insurance coverage for contraception because it trusts that women can “ control their libidos.” Rand Paul — a man who a majority of conservative tastemakers believe should be the next president — views the GOP’s problem with women as something of a nonstarter, mainly because there are lots of them enrolled in his niece’s veterinary program.

And you can be sure that this is the message that the organizers of CPAC were shooting for with a panel called, “Why Conservatism is Right for Women: How Conservatives Should Talk About Life, Prosperity & National Security.” (Undercutting their pro-woman rhetoric was the fact that the conference only featured a handful of women speakers on the main stage, and the organizers’ decision to go heavy on outdated cartoon villains like Sarah Palin and Ann Coulter rather than relevant conservatives like New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez).

The Republican-led assault on basic medical care has had devastating consequences for women, transgender men and gender non-conforming people who need safe, reliable access to abortion, and there’s no doubt that it’s a losing issue with the voters that the party is ostensibly courting. But what changes when you “look beyond” reproductive health issues like contraception, abortion and access to maternal and prenatal care? Precisely nothing. The GOP remains, as ever, a party that appeals largely to white men and married white women while falling further out of step with everyone else. While spitting vitriol about reproductive healthcare certainly alienates women voters and their allies, being vindictive about poverty, civil rights and other issues virtually annihilates the GOP’s chances of expanding its base.

http://publichealthwatch.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/the-gops-other-war-on-women-5-gender-battlegrounds-beyond-abortion-and-contraception/
11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The GOP’s Other War On Women: 5 Gender Battlegrounds Beyond Abortion And Contraception (Original Post) sheshe2 Jul 2014 OP
Speaking of Republicans and Raging Misogynists Triana Jul 2014 #1
Steven Bowie did an excellent job in that article. sheshe2 Jul 2014 #3
Terrifying. Yes. Triana Jul 2014 #5
OMG! Triana! sheshe2 Jul 2014 #6
. . . Triana Jul 2014 #7
It's in my favorites.... sheshe2 Jul 2014 #9
Oh wow! Will be looking for more there. Thanks, Triana! freshwest Jul 2014 #11
LOL@ the Freudian Slip: 'A set of reproductive organs.' Had to bring that up, huh? freshwest Jul 2014 #2
Yea, I loved that little slip, freshwest. sheshe2 Jul 2014 #4
DU Rec. Tuesday Afternoon Jul 2014 #8
"The GOP .. a party that appeals ... to white men and married white women" progree Jul 2014 #10
 

Triana

(22,666 posts)
1. Speaking of Republicans and Raging Misogynists
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:34 PM
Jul 2014

Elliot Rodger's belief about women was that they should be enslaved. Tortured. Killed. That the patriarchy/some man or men should have complete control and dominion over women and that women should have NO choices about whether they have sex or with whom or when, or whether or when they reproduce — that men should decide FOR them.

Look at the legislation these conservative bastards have been passing all over the country.

That’s EXACTLY what it seeks to do- control women and deprive them of any choice about their sexuality or reproduction. Same as Elliot Rodger said he felt women should be treated.

. . .

IMO, there's not a hair's breadth between 'em: http://www.sevenbowie.com/2014/05/there-isnt-a-hairs-difference-between-the-misogynist-attitudes-of-elliot-rodger-and-those-of-the-gop/

sheshe2

(83,324 posts)
3. Steven Bowie did an excellent job in that article.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:48 PM
Jul 2014

Your quote says it all, and I believe Bowie made the case for it.

IMO, there's not a hair's breadth between 'em

Terrifying is it not, Triana?

 

Triana

(22,666 posts)
5. Terrifying. Yes.
Mon Jul 7, 2014, 12:23 AM
Jul 2014

I'm surprised more people don't see it!

(bytheway "Seven Bowie" is me - it's my pen name. The piece (and that site) is mine!)

sheshe2

(83,324 posts)
9. It's in my favorites....
Mon Jul 7, 2014, 01:28 AM
Jul 2014

and so sorry I spelled Seven as Steven~ my bad.

Triana!

I will check the site out tomorrow!

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
2. LOL@ the Freudian Slip: 'A set of reproductive organs.' Had to bring that up, huh?
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:38 PM
Jul 2014
Just can't help themselves!

And bringing in Ann (women shouldn't be allowed vote) Coulter is definitely a winner!

NOT!



Oh, yeah, we see you!


sheshe2

(83,324 posts)
4. Yea, I loved that little slip, freshwest.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:59 PM
Jul 2014

And do not forget to control your libido!

Control Control Control

progree

(10,864 posts)
10. "The GOP .. a party that appeals ... to white men and married white women"
Mon Jul 7, 2014, 02:07 AM
Jul 2014

Last edited Mon Jul 7, 2014, 09:16 AM - Edit history (3)

http://elections.reuters.com/#poll

Well, that is where I got this according to my notes, but will have to struggle awhile to get to the right page again. Anyway, my notes say:

--v--Margin by which white females voted for Romney over Obama
[font color = red]
+13% white females overall
+24% married white females
+ 5% unmarried white females[/font] [font color = blue]
-18% never married white females
-39% living with partner white females
-35% heterosexual and living with partner white females[/font]



Indentation is used to indicate subcategories. Red indicates categories that voted more for Romney than Obama. Blue is for the opposite -- voted for Obama more than Romney.

Anyway, unmarried white females (as a group) favored Romney too, by a margin of 5%, at least in this exit poll. Its those 3 blue subcategories of unmarried that broke in the Obama direction.
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The GOP’s Other War On Wo...