Barefoot and NOT Pregnant

I wrote this almost 6 years ago... Unfortunately it is still very relevant. 

I have a serious problem with people telling me what to do.

Seriously. Please take that statement at face value. I'd never survive in the military, because I no doubt would question a superior on their right to boss me around. I don't like to be patronized. (Patronized, of course is another matter. By all means I accept donations!!) If I think I've got a handle on things, I don't want anyone to point out what they think I should be doing. The honest truth is I don't want to hear it, because I just don't care. Believe me, when I want advice I will be sure to solicit an opinion.

Don't tell me what to wear. What to eat. Where to go. What to do. How to do it. How to do it better. When to do it. or Why you think I should. NO! None of that. Mind you, anyone in a position to do this would be someone I am close with. Lucky for them they know better. Now imagine, if someone you don't know, someone who cares nothing for you, decides that they know what's best. Not for you specifically, but for everyone in general. Now imagine, that person, negates your ability to make rational and intelligent decisions; they do in fact, make it illegal for you to make your own choices. Regardless of your opinion on the matter.

I try to stay out of politics. Frankly because I have better things to do with my time than get all in a lather over something that doesn't affect me and I can't do anything about anyway. Intolerance? What can I do about that besides love up on some more gay men and be the wrangler to their fairy? Gay marriage? If you don't like it, don't get gay married...duh! Government Shutdown? Did that really happen? or was everyone just joking? But that's my point. Until now.

Recently there have been a slew of (I'm going out on a ledge and calling it) anti-women legislation. Nationwide there has been an outpouring of bills in state senates to ban a woman's rights to her body. Taking away her choices and bringing the government all up in the lady doctor's office. "In 2011 alone, state GOP lawmakers introduced 600 bills restricting abortion and passed a record 91 of those bills, and five states placed new restrictions on access to birth control and family planing" (Laura Basset, Huffington Post) There have been pharmacists and physicians who refuse to fill or prescribe (respectively) contraception due to personal beliefs. In Kansas, doctors have been given immunity to lie to their patients about possibly devastating birth defects that might lead them to end a pregnancy. Or give them the opportunity to learn as much as they can and be prepared to love their baby the best way possible. Arizona, a state where you can be fired at will -- there's a fancy word for it but I can't find that particular article -- actually okayed in one house, a non-religious affiliated employer the right to not only restrict health insurance coverage of contraceptives but to also fire a woman for using birth control. And Georgia joined six other states in what has been termed the "women as livestock bill" prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks. A blatant disregard of Roe v. Wade that set the bar at legal abortions up to 24 weeks (Ms.Magazine Blog) While eventually bill writers agreed to a compromise, initially the legislature was written forcing women to carry medically futile fetuses to term. According to state Rep Terry England, farmers must deliver colts dead-or-alive, so too should women, apparently. Regardless.

The assortment of anti-choice laws that are cropping up all of the country is a bit startling for me. There are bills that are written wanting to prohibit abortion after a heart beat can be detected. That happens at 6 weeks. Most women don't even know they're pregnant at 6 weeks. And some that say even victims of rape and incest won't be able to abort. Women who are physically and/or psychologically unfit won't have a choice. There are fines of up to $10,000 for those trying to coerce a woman into abortion (I'd have to agree with that, actually). But that particular state will help to coerce a woman out of an abortion.  It's even coming up in the Republican primary. Gov. Rick Santorum believes that states should have the right to ban birth control. And sodomy, just a little p.s. Mitt Romney has been consistently pro-life in his governorship. Bully for his constituents and their desire for status-quo, but let's say the Republicans dominate the 2013 United States Government. What does that say about my choices as a woman?

Which brings me around to what pisses me off. Who is this middle-aged white man to say that I can't have birth-control? That I don't know how to make intelligent decisions, and thus can't be trusted to know whether or not I can have a baby. Let's get a separation of church and state here, Rick! I won't bring my sex life into your campaign headquarters, and you keep YOUR opinions out of my prescription. Every morning at 10:30 AM, my phone sounds that awkward cricket noise because my No Time For Babies alarm is going off. Mostly because I still think it's funny, it would be awkward for me to have a baby--and to remind me to take my pill. And while I live in New York -- a most liberal and loving city if I ever knew one-- I am almost positive I won't have to deal with such clear prejudice and ignorance, there are women who are not so lucky. Real people who are affected by these stupid laws, inflicted on us based on someone else's opinion. I am sick at heart knowing that there are women suffering because of the bills being passed. If you choose to not be on birth control because it's a "silent abortion", that's on you. I mean, whatever, live your life. But don't force others who maybe use it to balance hormones...regulate periods...clear up acne. There a tons of other reasons women are on the Pill. And who are these representatives to decide what's best for women universally. Most of them are not even female. And just to clear the matter up. I personally would never have an abortion. I'm on birth control to make sure that exactly every 28 days I have an unfertilized egg, and because I have no time for babies. I'll leave that to my sisters.  But just because I, personally, wouldn't do it -- It's my body and I do what I want! -- all women should have that choice. Roe v. Wade was ruled for a reason. After a certain point a fetus is viable, and after that time I no longer agree with aborting a pregnancy. But up until then... it's my body and I do what I want!