why I support planned parenthood

I'm incensed that the House thought they could sneak in the disruption of funding to Planned Parenthood.  I wrote a letter to my Representative today, and here's what I said:

Dear Representative Southerland:

When I first moved to Florida nearly five years ago, I visited Planned Parenthood because my health insurance didn't cover my birth control pills.  I was engaged to a man working for a Republican Governor, and although our politics don't often align, he understood how important it was to protect our new family from an unplanned pregnancy.  As we actively plan to start our family today, I am thankful that Planned Parenthood was available for me and for the future of family. 

I understand your hesitancy in supporting a service that seemingly violates some of the principles you believe in, but I implore you to reconsider your support of the Pence Amendment to H.R. 1.  When you think of Planned Parenthood, I urge you not to think of pimps or a pipeline to abortion.  Instead, I urge you to think of the women (and their partners) that will be affected by your decision.  In Tallahassee alone, think of the college-aged women who rely on Planned Parenthood to help them effectively protect against pregnancy, stay safe from STDs and monitor their health. 

Representative Southerland, I expect you to do right by the people in North Florida.  We may disagree on policy, but to strike the funding of an organization that serves the people in your district is ludicrous.  I am disappointed in you.  You have daughters - imagine a reality where they didn't have a supportive father and had to turn somewhere for information and help.  Where would they turn?  Who would give them access to information?  Not everyone has the privilege of being raised in your family.  Don't close the only doors that are open to many of the people you have sworn to protect.

Along with countless other Floridians, I am determined to fight against this bill as it moves to the Senate, and to oppose every effort to undermine women's health and access to care. We will continue to stand with Planned Parenthood -- and we call on you to focus on the needs of our community -- rather than politics -- by supporting women's access to their health care providers, including Planned Parenthood.

Does this make me feel better?  A bit, I suppose.  Just like the Uppity Women in South Carolina who lobbied for equal coverage for birth control and Viagra, I wonder why the rights of women are so often trampled.  Take abortion out of the equation -- indeed, federal dollars don't pay for them anyway.  What is the great evil of Planned Parenthood?  Birth control and pap smears?

I simply don't understand the intention.  If a conservative legislator's goal is to prevent abortions, then removing access to affordable birth control options just doesn't make sense.  You can't talk about the snake bite without talking about the snake (thank you, C. Everett Koop) and I just don't see how this makes sense: fiscally or ethically.

Great job, Republicans.  Bumbling from the beginning.