February 10, 2012 at 10:19am
So now we wait to see how far President Obama will back down on contraceptive coverage.
Many media sources are reporting that the administration will announce some kind of compromise later today. That's a terrible mistake. As I wrote earlier this week, by insisting that its women employees be denied birth-control coverage in their insurance plans, the Catholic Church and its supporters are being obstructionists in an important issue of women's health and women's rights.
And note that the church wants vastly more than the media first reported. The Obama administration has said that churches themselves won't be required to include contraceptive coverage in their employee health-insurance plans. But hospitals, schools, and other church-affiliated institutions will.
The church wants them given the same exemption that individual churches are. But it also wants an exemption for any business or organization run by anyone who is a Catholic.
This isn't the first time that a religious institution has pushed for policies that violate human rights. And it won't be the last.
And it isn't surprising that Republicans have grabbed onto this controversy as yet another way to attack Barack Obama.
Unfortunately, it gives Obama yet another chance to reverse course on a serious leadership issue.
I sure hope he doesn't do it.
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Comments for "Obama expected to compromise on contraceptive issue" (5)
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clint said on Feb. 11, 2012 at 7:10am
MAT,
Before I say any more, I am pro choice. Religious freedom is a constitutionally protected right. Contraceptive insurance benefits are not. We are not talking about a women's right to choose or practice contraception, only whether an employer is compelled to pay for them. I am actually stunned by that you consider this is a violation of human rights. It is, purely and simply, a question of the violation of religious rights!
Troll Whisperer said on Feb. 11, 2012 at 11:55am
Mary Anna, conspicuously missing from your two posts on this subject is the outrage among liberal and moderate Catholics on Obama's breach of faith. Read EJ Dionne, (http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/obamas-breach-of-faith-over-contraceptive-ruling/2012/01/29/gIQAY7V5aQ_story.html) He notes the work of Sister Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Health Association, who was crucial in bucking the bishops in favor of health care, turning on this very issue. Dionne notes, "For this brave act, she took much grief from the bishops. That’s why it was unconscionable for Obama to leave her hanging out to dry in the latest controversy." Or former Gov. Tim Kaine, Or Chris Matthews. Are they really for a "violation of human rights"? What a dishonest and lazy assertion.
Tom Janowski said on Feb. 12, 2012 at 10:14am
The more I know about President Obama, the less I know him. This is never a good thing during an election year and its even worse considering I have had almost an entire term in office to get to know him. I have a few examples of what I am talking about.
First, he stops, at least temporarily, Keystone XL pipeline from moving forward, yet sings the praises of natural gas and hydrofracking. Certainly both are controversial environmental issues deserving of the most detailed review and extreme caution, yet our President does not seem to acknowledge hydrofracking and what’s currently going on in PA and NY as a concern. This obviously bothers the environmentalist in me.
Most recently, his decision to attempt to smooth over the ruffled feathers of the Catholic Church on the topic of health insurance and contraception has me very worried. President Obama was right the first time…this is a women’s health issue, a fairness issue and an employment/health insurance issue. The President was right on so many levels and now he has backtracked, compromised and pandered for the Catholic vote.
Finally, President Obama has put his blessing on a Super PAC that will support him. All the others in the sandbox have Super PACS, so our President of hope and change has to have on too. There’s no hope in that and there’s no change in politics as usual. Does President Obama have any meaningful principles? Does he ever stand by his convictions?
If you believe in yourself then defend yourself and your position. Great ideas stand on their own merits. Our President neither recognizes great ideas nor does he stand by them when he happens upon them. This is not sign of a good President.
sean said on Feb. 13, 2012 at 8:33am
Respectfully Tom, you seem to forget that the President swore an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. The first tenet of the First Amendment of the Constitution is that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXCERISE THEREOF..." Thusly the President has absolutely no right to interfere in what is a matter of Church over the State.
Tom Janowski said on Feb. 14, 2012 at 8:10pm
So, Catholics shouldn't have to pay for/provide insurance that covers contraception. I oppose war, so can I reduce my income tax so that none of my money supports wars I object to?
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