tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302245627574027504.post992818182283186086..comments2019-05-15T23:59:20.159-07:00Comments on Feminist Legal Theory: Republican Presidential Candidates Are Bad For Women (Yes, Even the "Moderate" One)Lisa R. Pruitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16469550950363542801noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302245627574027504.post-71642832908043993702016-04-12T12:39:41.513-07:002016-04-12T12:39:41.513-07:00I wanted to come back to this post and these comme...I wanted to come back to this post and these comments after some of the recent Trump comments about "punishing women" for having abortions. Last week, Trump commented that women should have "some sort of punishment" if they have an aboriton. After a media flurry, he later released a statement clarifying that he meant only the doctors should be punished, not women who have the abortions--because they are "victims." <br /><br />It baffles me that this man has so much public support and is running for office. I agree with Kate and Liz's comments that "a President should be able to set his personal opinions aside and do what's best for everyone in the nation." However, I think there is a certain point that cannot be crossed. A man who would "misspeak" and say that women should be punished for having abortions is not the kind of man who can be politically-wrangled into speaking for and about the women of the US in any appropriate way. I don't think Trump can "set aside" his personal inability to understand the desperate situations many American women face to thoughtfully engage in any sort of dialogue intended to "Make America Great Again." Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05684029984995654159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302245627574027504.post-8734575901139982582016-03-20T00:15:28.601-07:002016-03-20T00:15:28.601-07:00I appreciate that you have laid out each Republica...I appreciate that you have laid out each Republican candidate's stance on women's issues. At a time when women's abortion rights are under attack, it's important to look into each candidate's policy stances when it comes to women's health. I have been really frustrated by Republican's stance to defund Planned Parenthood with the exception of Trump. I feel that they are ignoring Planned Parenthood's history of providing health services to women especially women living in poverty stricken areas. I really dislike that its men deciding what's best for women. <br /><br />As for Trump, its hard to understand where he stands on certain issues. Correct me if I am wrong but Trump is definitely breaking with the general Republican party's stance on abortion and Planned Parenthood. Still, I am not quite sure he's a great champion of women's rights as Caitlyn Jenner suggested a few weeks ago. First of all, his dislike of Fox Channel's Megyn Kelly is telling. I get if you dislike someone especially when you disagree about the manner they choose to portray you on television. However, the language that Trump has used towards her is so disrespectful to me as a woman. <br /><br />I agree with Kate's comment above that a President should be able to set his personal opinions aside and do what's best for everyone in the nation. I don't believe that the remaining Republican candidates like Cruz are suitable for the presidency. I definitely believe Trump is NOT the candidate that American wome should elect as President.Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11716074832044761879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302245627574027504.post-77684707144528728112016-03-15T09:33:42.910-07:002016-03-15T09:33:42.910-07:00This article reflects a lot of the issues I have s...This article reflects a lot of the issues I have spoken about with my mom about abortion and specifically, Marco Rubio. Growing up in a very conservative, religious environment, I was one of the only democrats I knew (in college) - although I am happy to say that my mom voted for Obama. But this election, she's interested in Rubio, and talking to her about his stance on abortion and women's rights has been challenging. While she is a nurse who works with new mothers, and therefore is constantly surrounded by all the varieties of family situations and pregnancy complications, she does not support abortion. Because of her deeply held religious beliefs, she agrees that life begins at conception. While I completely disagree with her, she is my mom, and I try to build rational ways of arguing with her about these issues. <br />I think one of the hardest things to do, but perhaps one of the most important, is to separate one's personal beliefs from what is best for society as a whole. The Republican candidates, in their positions on abortion, appeal to their constituents personal biases about family planning. But when you actually get to the bottom of what those beliefs are, it comes down to an unrealistic expectation that everyone in the world should line up with specific moral beliefs because it would be "in their best interest." This will never happen. Religious groups - and some Republican candidates I'm sure - like to use this approach when pushing abstinence as well (and therefore making contraceptives unavailable to young women). <br />Women will always seek out abortion, even if it is difficult to procure. Republicans and conservatives need to realize that their ideas about morality cannot protect women who need a medical procedure performed. Someone who is going to be President of the United States must be able to set his personal opinions aside and do what is right for the nation, a nation full of women who need access to safe, state of the art medical care. None of those services take away the right of his family to decide to keep every baby they create.<br />These arguments may sound rudimentary and unnecessary - and I agree there is so much more nuance to the conversation about abortion and women's health. But recently I have struggled to create productive dialogue with people I care about who have views that I believe are dangerous for society. Maybe if we can all engage a few people who plan to support these candidates, we can influence a few more people to use their vote to protect women's rights.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05336153286887194277noreply@blogger.com