Using abortion as the scare tactic...the under lying power struggle and reality

Friday I received a mailing from the Ohio Democratic Party's Campaign for Change, it's message was to make women afraid that if John McCain were elected that we would not be able to have an abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, because that is the Republican Party Platform so the card said. It didn't address the economy, or health care or education, the mailing focused only on abortion and birth control. They've even created a website that says McCain’s Rigid Pro-Life Stance Poses A Serious Threat To Women. Then yesterday I got another one, different photos, same basic message...

It made me as a woman feel as if the Democratic party was focusing on my vagina, they assume my main concern was abortion and birth control, since these mailings were sent to women only. Believe it or not, there are Democrats out there, especially ones who are Catholic (like me) who have a stronger position against abortion than I do. Didn't anyone stop to think how this type of ad might actually accomplish the opposite? In previous and recent conversations with those I come into contact with on a regular basis, one thing all agreed on is that both parties use abortion as a propaganda tool, why is that? I have a theory, even considering men lead the ticket, the Democratic Party has been described as the "mommy party" and the Republican Party is the "daddy party" (Yes even with a woman VP) and yes, this is Lakoff inspired.

If we take this to the most basic reproductive aspect, man wants his sperm to implant, that's why there are millions of sperm against one egg. Those of us who are Catholic laugh about every sperm is sacred yet there is a grain of truth to us being taught that the main function of sex is for procreation, not recreation. Reproductive choice and the decision to have or not to have an abortion is one of the few things in this world that a woman has the ability to decide whether her partner agrees or not. He doesn't want a baby she does or the opposite, he wants the baby she doesn't, makes no difference. I think you can see where this creates what I believe is a subconscious power issue, where eliminating a woman's choice, gives the man his power back. Should he decide to "honor her" with his sperm then it's up to nature (or God) not her if a child is a result of it. The creation of reliable birth control gave women power over their sexual and reproduction choices, it started us on the path of wanting to be equals...

Ah...but what about women who are not pro-choice? Most of them come from a religious standpoint to that topic, procreation is a gift from God. Anyone who has read the bible knows the focus on barren women who were "blessed" from God with the baby they had been long denied. While I'm sure there are women out there who do not believe in abortion under any circumstance, I've yet to meet one in person, even those who consider themselves pro-life believe that abortion should be allowed if the health of the mother is in danger and some feel in cases of rape or incest.

The sexual/reproduction power struggle between men and women has existed before this country did. Though each party has staked out a general position on this issue, the reality is there are Republicans who are pro-choice and there are Democrats who are pro-life. It's not "the" voting issue for quite a few people out there despite the attention it gets.

Beyond all of that though, a good number of the women I come into contact with on a regular basis are not focusing on abortion or birth control as their main reason to vote for or against someone. To be brutally honest, many don't have the luxury of worrying about that aspect, they are focused on financial survival. How are they going to put groceries on the table, how are their children going to get a better education, which utility bill should they pay since they are behind on both, their child is sick, where is the money going to come from to not only take them to the doctor but to fill a prescription, etc., most of them are so emotionally drained they are not worrying about birth control. At the end of the day, sex is the farthest thought from their mind, they are worried about how are they going to get through the next day.

If this is the way that the Obama campaign is planning on reaching out to this particular voting block? It's not going to work. They want real answers, they want real plans and they want to know how things are going to be paid for. They want someone who will appear to really understand their struggles, they already have learned that by the time you wait for government to do something? You'd be starving or homeless.

True or not true, some saw Clinton as someone who understood them, true or not true some see Palin in that same light. They want someone who will represent them, and missives like this trying to use scare tactics about abortion and birth control just confirm for them that the Democratic Party doesn't get it.