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April 06, 2007
Birth control for illegal immigrants
The Bush administration wants California to ensure that all recipients of free birth control are citizens or legal residents, a decision that will impact thousands of illegal immigrants who currently take advantage of the program.
The administration argues that the programs should be for legal residents only, the counter argument is that is we withhold free birth control, it will lead to increase in the number of babies born, who would be United States citizens and might wind up costing us far more than some relatively inexpensive birth control.
What this battle – and all battles - relating to illegal immigrants boils down to is a single argument. Should we accept and acknowledge what to many seems inevitable, that illegal immigrants are here, necessary and not leaving anytime soon, so let’s deal with it realistically? Or, they are here illegally, shouldn’t be and I’ll be damned if my tax dollars are paying for their birth control (or education, healthcare, etc.).
What we need from the administration is not more “deck chairs on the Titanic” mentality regarding the 11 million illegal immigrants in this country, but a solid plan for dealing with the situation. So far, almost sadly predictable, nothing.
Do you think the Bush administration had taken a poll that showed such a move would help them with religious groups opposing government funding for "artificial" birth control methods?
Why do I ask? If they opposed government funded birth control on principle, why not oppose it for everyone? If they supported it, why not provide it for everyone?
It doesn't make in terms of economics or ideology, but it might might sense in a political context:
Posted by: Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale at April 8, 2007 02:25 PMThey look good with certain religious groups who oppose all birth control, are seen as toughening up their policies with regard to illegal immigrants, appear to fiscal conservatives to be cutting spending (somewhat) and yet still managing to gain more political support and cover than if they cut off funding for everyone - gaining the view that they achieved a rare and much needed "victory" in the political arena.