(This is also my bi-weekly column for Salon) Pundits have been wearing out their thumbs on Twitter ever since the results of the Kansas referendum on abortion came in Tuesday night. The victory on the “No” side, against amending the state constitution to remove its protection of abortion rights, was decisive, 59 to 41 percent. Voting “Yes” in the referendum meant that the constitution could be amended and laws further restricting or banning abortion entirely could be passed in the state.
Here in Michigan, the right for women to have the right to bodily autonomy will be on the ballot in November thanks to a concerted effort to get signatures on petitions to put this on the ballot. In a red state, this effort garnered almost twice as many signatures as was needed. This gives me hope.
My first thought on hearing the good news from Kansas was that every state should hold a referendum about abortion. But then I realized that the GOP will do absolutely everything in its considerable power to prevent that from happening.
I am not optimistic that pro-choice sentiment will be stronger than the racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia and fundamentalist Christian nationalism that motivate t-Rump-worshiping voters.
Here are a couple other takeaways. First, even with the obvious attempts to mislead the electorate ad stack the deck to hold this election at a time when many independents and Democrats historically have not gone to the polls, the result was a smashing rebuke of the right's attempt to force a fundamentally religious backed law down the throats of the general public. Maybe, just maybe those Christian fundamentalist with all that evangelical fervor do not represent the will of ALL the people/
Second, if this measure went down 60/40 in Kansas, a relatively conservative state what does that say the nation wide margin might be? Surely, higher say in the range of 2:1. And, if that is the case it is the kind of issue capable of generating mass turnout and tipping the ordinary balance of voting in an off year election. Maybe the Democrats can hold the House and pick up a couple of Senate seats if the have the common sense to make this a major issue in EVERY House and Senate race?
Third, this issue has resonance with women and young voters two blocs which historically do not vote with regularity in either two or four year cycles . Here again, the Ds would be well advised to spend a few bucks targeting these voting blocs for November.
Inflation and high gas prices are going to be a reality this cycle. Best the Ds find some other issues to offset the old wisdom that voters vote only their own economic interests.
Thank you for articulating what I feel in my heart is true. That ALL humans have the RIGHT to "...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." People all over the world. "Included in that limited category is the right of personal autonomy, which includes the ability to control one's own body, to assert bodily integrity, and to exercise self-determination. This right allows a woman to make her own decisions regarding her body, health, family formation, and family life—decisions that can include whether to continue a pregnancy." Women breathe life into the world through their bodies and very often take on the lifelong responsibility of that life that they birthed into the world. With every choice we make, other choices are taken off the table.
With revanchist red state legislatures passing horribly misogynistic laws, Indiana has started the ball rolling, the anger among women especially, but certainly not limited to them, should reach the boiling point by November. At least that’s what I’m hoping after what happened in Kansas. Some of the dunderheaded Rethugs on the margins may be backing away realizing they’ve screwed the pooch, but the hardcore cult won’t. Any moderation by the Rethugs is strictly temporary in any case. Only. Major drubbing at the polls keeping the Democrats in control of Congress, and with luck more state legislatures, will make a difference. So VOTE. Drag everyone you know to the polls or get them absentee ballots. We have to win this one. And the next one, and the one after that.
Here in Michigan, the right for women to have the right to bodily autonomy will be on the ballot in November thanks to a concerted effort to get signatures on petitions to put this on the ballot. In a red state, this effort garnered almost twice as many signatures as was needed. This gives me hope.
My first thought on hearing the good news from Kansas was that every state should hold a referendum about abortion. But then I realized that the GOP will do absolutely everything in its considerable power to prevent that from happening.
I am not optimistic that pro-choice sentiment will be stronger than the racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia and fundamentalist Christian nationalism that motivate t-Rump-worshiping voters.
Here are a couple other takeaways. First, even with the obvious attempts to mislead the electorate ad stack the deck to hold this election at a time when many independents and Democrats historically have not gone to the polls, the result was a smashing rebuke of the right's attempt to force a fundamentally religious backed law down the throats of the general public. Maybe, just maybe those Christian fundamentalist with all that evangelical fervor do not represent the will of ALL the people/
Second, if this measure went down 60/40 in Kansas, a relatively conservative state what does that say the nation wide margin might be? Surely, higher say in the range of 2:1. And, if that is the case it is the kind of issue capable of generating mass turnout and tipping the ordinary balance of voting in an off year election. Maybe the Democrats can hold the House and pick up a couple of Senate seats if the have the common sense to make this a major issue in EVERY House and Senate race?
Third, this issue has resonance with women and young voters two blocs which historically do not vote with regularity in either two or four year cycles . Here again, the Ds would be well advised to spend a few bucks targeting these voting blocs for November.
Inflation and high gas prices are going to be a reality this cycle. Best the Ds find some other issues to offset the old wisdom that voters vote only their own economic interests.
Thank you for articulating what I feel in my heart is true. That ALL humans have the RIGHT to "...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." People all over the world. "Included in that limited category is the right of personal autonomy, which includes the ability to control one's own body, to assert bodily integrity, and to exercise self-determination. This right allows a woman to make her own decisions regarding her body, health, family formation, and family life—decisions that can include whether to continue a pregnancy." Women breathe life into the world through their bodies and very often take on the lifelong responsibility of that life that they birthed into the world. With every choice we make, other choices are taken off the table.
Excellent, as usual!
With revanchist red state legislatures passing horribly misogynistic laws, Indiana has started the ball rolling, the anger among women especially, but certainly not limited to them, should reach the boiling point by November. At least that’s what I’m hoping after what happened in Kansas. Some of the dunderheaded Rethugs on the margins may be backing away realizing they’ve screwed the pooch, but the hardcore cult won’t. Any moderation by the Rethugs is strictly temporary in any case. Only. Major drubbing at the polls keeping the Democrats in control of Congress, and with luck more state legislatures, will make a difference. So VOTE. Drag everyone you know to the polls or get them absentee ballots. We have to win this one. And the next one, and the one after that.
Well said. Now we need to ensure that these radicals posing as Republicans are voted out of office.
If I were a betting person, I would bet Hillary (from Kansas) had something to do with the voters being informed correctly.