The GOP Continues Its War Against Women

One would think that protecting women against violence would be something any rational individual or politician could support. Thus the re-authorization of the federal Violence Against Women Act ought to be a no-brainer. But that conclusion assumes that politicians and the base of political parties are at least somewhat rational. That assumption no longer applies to the Republican Party which seems to want to return all women to a barefoot, pregnant and chattel status as is the goal of far right Christianists who have a view of women not much more modern that that of Islamic extremists. Events in the U. S. Senate underscore the GOP's animosity towards women - and I would argue all minorities as well - who are viewed as subservient to white males. Here are some highlights from the Washington Post:

Senate Democrats fired the latest political shot in what they’re calling the Republican “war against women” Thursday, pushing to renew and expand a law that fights violence against women and pays to help victims. They dared GOP senators to vote against it.

“Protecting women against violence shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” Sen. Patty Murray, chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said from the Senate floor, where a group of female senators spoke in favor of the legislation.

While grappling for a way to rebut the “war on women” narrative, Republicans said the legislation at issue would add objectionable measures to violence against women law.

Two weeks ago, Republicans narrowly lost a Senate vote on trying to reverse President Barack Obama’s directive that health insurers pay for the cost of birth control pills or devices even if they object on moral or religious grounds.

The act, which would add government funding and legal muscle to the fight against domestic violence, has been reauthorized several times and this year has 58 co-sponsors — two senators short of the 60 needed to overcome a filibuster. The co-sponsors include five Republicans: Sens. Scott Brown of Massachusetts, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Olympia Snowe of Maine. Also signed onto the bill is Republican Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, who is on leave recovering from a stroke.

This year’s update has run into opposition from Republicans who object to new provisions, such as one that includes gay and transgender victims in the protections. Republicans also object to a provision regarding visas for immigrant victims.

Note how anything that might protect LGBT individuals is anathema to today's Republican Party. I have no sympathy for the GOP which has transformed into something ugly under the control of the Christianist/Tea Party rabble. Let folks like McConnell twist on the rope that they helped to put in place.