I agree with the Supreme Court’s decision that some corporations such as Hobby Lobby shouldn’t have to cover payment for ?contraception.
I can already hear the angry responses coming, but bear with me.
It was a tough decision. The court itself was split 5-4, so you know it was divisive. It’s also a very emotional issue, since it revolves around belief and people’s personal, private lives.
I think it was the right call in a messy circumstance.
The majority opinion decided corporations don’t have to pay for coverage of contraception if it goes against their religious ?beliefs.
We have a right to our beliefs, and the government can’t impose on that, not even on corporations.
The circumstances of the ruling are very restricted: it applies to closely held corporations — those owned and controlled by a few ?people.
In those circumstances, the beliefs of the corporations in question are ?essentially the beliefs of the ?owners.
Therefore, the ruling doesn’t apply to every ?company.
The ruling also covers only four types of contraceptives that stop an already fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus.
I think there is a difference between preventing fertilization and dealing with it after the fact.
I don’t know if that’s where I draw the line for pregnancy.
I don’t know if that matters, since I believe women still have a choice. But I think the difference is worth considering.
This ruling isn’t going to deny women access to ?contraceptives.
And the Department of Health and Human Services already has a program that allows employees of religious non-profits full access to contraceptives.
The organizations don’t have to share the cost, and the employees still have insurance coverage for all FDA approved contraceptives.
The majority said there’s no reason this program couldn’t also be implemented when for-profit corporations have religious objections to contraceptives.
The dissenting made several points about how the ruling could lead to worse situations, but the majority maintained it would not.
The ruling won’t allow corporations to opt out of laws they don’t like by citing religious differences. It won’t transfer any burden from the corporations to people working there. And it doesn’t put the wants of the bosses above the needs of women.
I’ve seen a lot of people on Facebook complaining about this decision, sharing buzzword-filled pictures and snarky articles.
They’re angry because they think this is another case of the patriarchy being afraid of sex and trying to keep women in their place.
But it’s not.
I think the opinions of companies like Hobby Lobby are stupid and outdated.
I think we shouldn’t shame women into ?submission.
I think we should protest and boycott people and companies that do.
But I also think they have a right to their beliefs and the right to exercise them.
The solution to corporations such as Hobby Lobby isn’t to fight them in court. They have the legal high ground.
They can believe what they want.
If you want to make a difference, fight them on the traditional American ?battlefield: profits.
Don’t buy anything from them.
Make sure everyone you know boycotts as well.
Write and email and complain ?until they have to get with the times.
Just don’t complain about the court decision, ?because you won’t win.
