The nation has been abuzz of late concerning new legislation which would mandate employers fork over the cost for their employee's contraception. Somehow, this debate has steered its way into the religious arena. It seems some employers - namely, certain Christians - are morally opposed to the use of contraceptives and have said this new rule would violate their First Amendment rights.
I think that argument holds more water than most liberals give it credit, and I frankly think forcing people to promote an activity or a substance they are morally opposed to isn't okay. If, somehow, a law were passed that made employers give Bibles or guns to their employees, I'd be right on the Democrats' side. But that isn't even what actually bothers me about this whole issue.
How is it that we are holding employers responsible for their employees' birth control in the first place? Forget religion, how can we coerce employers to supply that? Why should they foot the bill so people who work for them can have anxiety-free sex? Am I the only one who thinks that's ... weird?
Don't mistake me; women should unequivocally have control of their body and their reproductive system. But I've read the following form of rebuttal given to Christian employers: "You can't impose your beliefs on me. You shouldn't have anything to do with what I do with my body." Precisely.
So why should employers ever enter that equation? When did birth control go from a convenience to a natural right, and one that must be funded by private companies? A boss should be required to give his employees a fair wage. It boggles my mind that we've reached the time of federally-mandated, office-supplied Plan B pills.
"They're in the drawer. Next to the paperclips."
Reed Arnold\nCOMM V
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