Coming as a complete and utter shock to absolutely no one, Hillary Clinton gave every indication that she plans to play the gender card in her campaign for the presidency. And based on her keynote at the Women in the World Summit last week, it looks like we’re in for more of the tired “War on Women” rhetoric. From the speech:
“Far too many women are denied access to reproductive health care and safe childbirth, and laws don’t count for much if they’re not enforced.”
Which laws does she think need enforcing? I’m guessing not the ones repeatedly violated by her friends at Planned Barrenhood. We’ve heard this all before, of course, and know by now that “reproductive health care” is really euphemism for contraception and abortion on demand. Neither of which is “reproductive” or “health care”. And if Clinton is advocating for safer childbirth (a worthy end, to be sure) then she would do well to advocate against abortion. She goes on:
“Rights have to exist in practice — not just on paper.”
Except, of course, the right of the unborn to not be dismembered in their mother’s womb. Apparently, that one doesn’t count (although it actually does exist on paper, unlike the non-existent “right” to abortion). One wonders on what grounds she might suggest anyone has any rights at all? How can one lay claim to any other right if the most fundamental right—the right to life—is not recognized in practice?
“Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will, and deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed.” [emphasis added]
See, your opposition to abortion is really just a religious belief, she says. In fact, it’s a bias, she says. Now, I’ll readily admit that my deep-seated opposition to the killing of my fellow human beings constitutes a particular “bias”—a bias in favor of life and respect for mothers. But is it only a “religious” thing? My younger/agnostic/irreligious/pro-life self didn’t think so. Neither does Secular Pro-Life. Neither does the Catholic Church (see Evangelium Vitae n. 62). According to the Catechism, this “structural bias” in favor of life is one that can’t be changed:
“Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.” (2271)
Hillary Clinton may see morality and the notion of “rights” as little more than social conditioning tools, but neither changes to suit election rhetoric. It’s still early, but in her first speech since announcing her candidacy, Clinton may have already had her “cling to guns and religion” moment. On second thought, there’s still well over five-hundred days remaining before the election…plenty of time to offend those religious folk again.