Chris Jepson: Where Republicans dare to go

It’s a legitimate question. What would you riot over? Water. Food. Rights. Probably in that order for me. But most of us (in America) are not so reduced to have to riot over water or food. But rights? We are not so disposed today to riot over rights but I can foresee a day when that might be the case.

I was recently at the Planned Parenthood offices in Orlando picking up the executive director for lunch. Outside, picketing along the sidewalk, were protesters. They stayed on the walkway but shouted at women (and me) to save the babies. Some quietly read their Bibles. Others held graphic signs equating abortion with death. Which it is.

Life begins at conception for me. I do not see the necessity to argue what is self-evident. You can get into when is the fetus viable outside the womb. When does brain function begin? When does it experience pain? But once a fertilized egg attaches, we are already well into what I would call life.

Life actually begins when that exquisite chemistry of human attraction has copulation at the forefront of our minds, or loins, as the case might be. The delightful dance of life we humans so willingly, nay, so eagerly perform is a timeless expression of lust, of desire, of love and passion and of genetics. To say life begins at conception diminishes that breathtaking process. It is technically too simplistic.

Part of me completely understands the position of those opposed to abortion. If we lived in the perfect world, every fertilized egg would eventually enter the world as a healthy baby to a welcoming mother (and father/partner). They would be loving parents who want nothing else but to invest their lives (and resources) ensuring the child’s successful entry, as a functioning, self-supporting contributor to society. But, sigh, there is a time for everything. Life, too.

No, the question surrounding family planning (birth control, abortion, etc.) is not when life begins but who will make the decision(s) regarding a woman’s fertility. Is what a woman does with her uterus state business?

I find it ludicrous that Republicans attack “Obamacare” as an intrusive overreach of government power, yet think it perfectly OK to aggressively insert the government into a woman’s uterus.

There’s a humorous cartoon circulating on the internet showing a doctor holding a speculum, sitting at the end of an exam table. He’s a gynecologist or an obstetrician. You see a woman’s legs up in the stirrups, her waist covered. She’s obviously having a pelvic exam. The doctor has a puzzled but relieved expression on his face as he announces, “I see the problem. You have Republicans in your vagina.”

Republicans up your wazooo? That is what is dawning on more and more Americans, younger women in particular, who thought/considered such reproductive matters (choice) decided in the 1970s. You expect people to object to abortion — they get that, women do. But birth control?

You’re starting to see comparisons drawn between the 17th century Puritan experiment (religious authoritarianism) in America with what Republicans are advocating today. Repression of women is unacceptable. Anywhere. Anytime. Reproductive choice is a woman’s right. It is a more basic right than voting.

Ladies, ask yourself this: Which would you have your daughter give up last? Her right to vote? Or, the right to control her own body? It is that fundamental.

Religious Republican Authoritarianism? Let’s hope it doesn’t come to riots.

Jepson is a 24-year resident of Florida. He’s fiscally conservative, socially liberal, likes art and embraces diversity of opinion. Reach him at [email protected]