to think that contraception should be free in America?

[autumnlights12]

a Facebook friend (I use the term loosely) is ranting on her Facebook status about contraception, complaining that her tax dollars shouldn't be funding contraception, that women should 'close their legs' if they can't afford contraception and anyway sex outside of wedlock is 'immoral' don't ya know. I am seething. I know it's only Facebook, but when I'm faced with such blatant stupidity, I have to say something. She's a Christian Republican Bible Belter, and has had plenty of people agreeing with her, people who I know would be financially much better off with some sort of Obamacare. It defies belief. I cannot understand this attitude.
I commented.. was very very calm and diplomatic, and two people agreed with me, the rest are asking questions such as 'who won the war for you, we wont bother next time?' and other really irrelevant moronic statements like that.
So, anyone got any comments or experience about American healthcare and the contraception issue that I can pass on, or should I step away from the keyboard?!

I find it all a bit mad tbh but it's such a varied and diverse country that I don't think it works very well that it's controlled by one president in washington. The different states are often so well, different. I don't think i have explained that very well I find it rich as well that they invade middle eastern countries and go on about oppression and the oppression of women and then republican politicians stand up and say women shouldn't be in control of their own bodies and decisions and I say this as someone who doesn't really have much knowledge of the american political system, I just find that view abhorrent

Then de-friend her!

Which war? Not the bloody one in Afghanistan, obvs.

i believe women in southern ireland also pay for their contraception. It is not just the USA. She is entitled to her thoughts on what her country provide - i'd just ignore it (defriend if you want to).

But surely contraception is a sort of murder to in that you are choosing to prevent a potential life.

Is that why Catholics are against it?

Children are Gods will, and contraception/abortion is an abhorrence. After all, if a woman is raped her body will naturally take care of things.

If people have sex within marriage then it is to procreate. To interfere with this is wrong.

If people have sex outside marriage, well then that is just wrong. Sterilisation would be a possible solution? But why should the state, and by extension I, fund peoples loose and immoral lifestyles.

Keep your legs shut or deal with the consequences.

It's not like in communist uk where they pay for your contraception, pay for your unwanted children, pay for you not to work. In America you have to take responsibility for your actions.

((tongue firmly in cheek but hardline christian fundamentalist republicans are a deeply scary lot))

country PROVIDES
(apologies)

to be fair, a lot of us in the UK pay for own contraception here if we use condoms

Look, there are a lot of people like that in the US. Unfortunately as an American I can say it's a very ideological place where ideals/ fantasies matter more than outcomes/ rights a lot of the time.

I generally block or defriend people who rant like this. They're wrong (IMO) but it's not going to end well on Facebook.

Oh God, if she's racist just defriend her. Why would you want this person in your life? Take a tip from the Cybermen and DELETE.

I never get into politics with people who live in different countries, no point tbh,

I would defiend yours though as they sound as thick as shit

The idea of health care a basic human right for all citizens no matter what their socio economic status terrifies lots of Americans. Including, most bafflingly, those who would really benefit from it. There's a terror of what they call 'socialism', they consider countries like the UK to be socialist countries (?). It must be a hang up from all the the fear mongering whipped up during the cold war. I can't get my head around that mind set at all but I find it fascinating.

Americans seem to be terrified of anything they deem 'socialist,' therefore, everybody gets screwed over and religion rund their country.

Cross post with squoosh, who put it much more eloquently.

I agree, it is very fascinating. I know quite a few Americans and you really have to tip toe around these sorts of topics. People from either side can get virtually hysterical with fear.

I agree the fear comes from The Cold War, but why do younger generations seem to be just as adamant? I agree with the poster who said it's all about freedom. A lot would rather die a horrible death than accept 'socialism.' Which I find very, very sad. The irony is some cannot see their government is becoming as rigid as the very countries they clam to despise. EG: The Middle East.

Free?

Compulsory!

If people who would benefit from something are against it, then just maybe they have a valid point. I wouldn't agree with that point, at least I wouldn't when it comes to healthcare, but who are we to tell them that we are right and they are wrong.

Thy are a democratic country and they are free to believe what they like.

Its not like the UK doesn't have it's own share of problems. we are hardly in a good position to tell people in other countries why they should be doing.

What about people who need birth control for diseases (like me) but say, can't afford them or it isn't covered by their employer because is defies their religious beliefs?

I'm not dictating what the US can and cannot do (how could I? I'm hardly n a position to be heard and not an American) but I have a very strong opinion on how their politicians are desperate to run their country into the ground. Makes the Aussie Liberal candidate for PM look semi-human.

What the fuck is it to do with you where American taxes go to within America?

Countries that claim to be free of problems tend to be ones such as North Korea, so yes all our countries have huge problems, but as the USA is the world's most powerful nation it would be a bit odd if people outside of America didn't take an active interest in what goes on there.

exactly squoosh!

KayBull: Well for starters, some of the posters live in America. I'm assuming you're from the US?

Second of all, some of live in countries that can be in a lot of trouble by America's choices as it is a superpower (like my country, for example. Though hopefully with new relations in Asia, we will detach from the US)

Third of all, since the internet is the epitome of freedom of speech, we're welcome to discuss America's taxation system. :)

I've been looking in on another site where there is a lot of discussion about the upcoming US elections and policies etc. It's been a real eye opener and quite scary, especially if you are a woman or poor.

As an American* living in UK I think it's amazing that contraception is free here. Feels like should be means-tested at least.

But why pick on contraception? What about free preschool hours, eye tests, dental treatment for children? You mostly don't get all that in USA, either.

Americans do believe a bit too firmly in the myth of the American dream (work hard enough & it will all come good).

I probably wouldn't stay FB friends with anyone who ranted a lot, anyway.

*whose mother proudly & publicly called herself a socialist back in the 1970s, although she didn't half understand what it really meant, more like a Champagne socialist she was.

Probably contraception because it prevents children, and some Americans are very frothy-mouthed about abortion and therefore encourage disgusting shows such as '16 and Pregnant' birth control is a treatment for a number of hormonal diseases in anyone from a child to menopause etc.

It's ironic, if you ignore how much contraception can all but save some women's lives (such a my own) it will also reduce teen pregnancy which is frowned upon; yet abundant in the US, Hell, even praised! Look at the telly shows? teen mums/dads paid ridiculous amounts even when they are charged with child negligence and go to prison...

Instead, reality shows are started, abstinence is strictly taught, and female diseases are ignored because that would detract from the cause and 'offend religious beliefs.' :(

If a friend posted that on Facebook, I wouldn't care how good a friend they were, but they would get a polite roasting from me. As did a friend who was all judgey about Amy Winehouse's death.

was hilarious when her fb friends all rallied round making derogatory comments about the UK, completely unrelated to healthcare, when I questioned her stance on free contraception. So ridiculous and thick as shit