Arizona Birth Control Bill: Democrat Responds To Republican Sponsor's 'Extremist Tactic'

[cal04]

Arizona Birth Control Bill: Democrat Responds To Republican Sponsor's 'Extremist Tactic'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/23/arizona-birth-control-debbie-lesko-matt-heinz_n_1376004.html?ref=politics

After the Republican sponsor of a controversial Arizona contraception bill hijacked a Democratic news conference and called her opponents "liars" on Wednesday, heating up an already contentious battle over the legislation, her Democratic colleague has responded, saying he was appalled by her behavior.

House Bill 2625, which passed the state House of Representatives and will now go before the Senate, would allow Arizona employers to refuse to cover the cost of contraception for women who plan to use it for non-medical reasons. In order to have their birth control prescriptions covered, those women would have to "submit a claim to the corporation along with evidence that the prescription is not in whole or in part for a purpose" the employer objects to -- which means she would have to prove to her boss that she has endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or some other medical concern that necessitates birth control pills. The bill also allows a woman's employer to charge her an administrative fee to process her claim.

Democratic opponents of the bill called it "asinine" at the news conference, saying it would require women to provide their employers with personal, sometimes embarrassing medical information. But the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Glendale), grabbed the microphone and said the Democrats were lying.

(snip)
"We weren't even physically off of the podium, and she was pushing her way toward it," he said. "It was a breach of protocol and really demonstrated a lack of decorum. It's an extremist tactic for an extremist measure."
(State Rep. Matt Heinz (D-Tucson)

[HockeyMom]

1. Apart from all the obvious reasons,

contraception for "medical reasons" will still have the birth control secondary effects. Will they require a "Purity Pledge" that a woman (married women?) that they won't have sex while using this for medical reasons?

These people are really stupid, in so many ways.

[TheMastersNemesis]

5. They Are More Than Asinine

I think the tactics of Lesko show who they are. They are more than asinine. There are vicious, they are determined and they are adamant. They will just shut you up by force. Taking over the microphone and commandeering the press conference should have had them ejected by force.

[Ilsa]

2. These people are bullies.

And they don't Believe in religious freedom. They believe the employees have to follow the boss' religious beliefs.

How is that any different from subjects being forced to worship the king's god?

[RKP5637]

4. They are sick control freaks and authoritarians. They use religion as a convenient guise under

which to pursue their agenda. None of this is about religion, it's about power and control. Religion is just a bullshit cover.

[RKP5637]

3. I wonder if the next bill will be for a camera in all women's bedrooms, just so the legislatures

and companies can check in and watch all they want, you know, just to make sure no laws are being broken or company policy violated. What a bunch of perverts.

This is sick on so many levels it's hard to even describe. I can't believe anyone is tolerating this damn nonsense.

All of these asses should be voted out in the next election. I sure hope all Americans are waking up to this BS. Is this crap really what Americans want ... because more is sure to follow. What the R's are doing is breaking down bit by bit any resistance to the authoritarian country they so desperately desire.

[TheMastersNemesis]

6. These People Are On A Massive Frontal Attack

I just noticed that Illinois, my home state, has a anti woman bill in the agricultural committee as well. Every state that they have control of has one or more bills. Arizona is the worse POS that I have even seen. It is un American. I hope women can respond to this attack because it looks like they are going to go on steroids and pass bills in every state and dare women to get rid of them. They are trying to put so much out there that they hope the Supreme Court will get rid of Roe v Wade.

They want it like in Central American where is you get an abortion or have a miscarriage you will end up in jail.

[freshwest]

7. Typical GOP brownshirt actions. Call we call them fascists now?

[RKP5637]

10. Yes, it is time to call them fascists. n/t

[HeiressofBickworth]

8. Proof of War Against Women

The righties want to legislate against medical care and birth control for women but I don't see any legislation banning condoms or prostate exams for men.

[EC]

9. If they get the pill and decide to pay for it themselves

do they have to tell the employer they are on it? If they'll have to pay an administrative processing fee anyway, I guess I would just choose to pay for the pills. But this can't be constitutional, it's an invasion of privacy.

[Rain Mcloud]

11. Welcome

back to the dark ages.
It was freedom to worship or not that made this country into what it was,sadly religion is turning it into a POS like Europe was during the Colonial period with their power struggle of Catholics versus Protestant.
What could possibly be gained by corporate America in denying Women their reproductive rights?
I think the assertion's by DU poster's are spot on,this is about destroying Our freedom's so that a Theocracy can rise and rule.
If the religious machines rule America like they ruled the olde world(with an iron fist)then we are well and truly fucked.
Dark ages for the common people indeed,good times for the anointed ones whom God gave dominion over the Earth.

I won't be voting by the Book,I promise this.
Tom Coburn R-Family Crossword Puzzle,has been strangely quiet through all this,hmmmmmmmmm.