The Horrors of Home
I thought we were done with this, but no. Last night the Tennessee State Senate voted 23-6, 23 to 6, to amend the constitution making clear that abortions are not secured therein. So that, when the US Supreme Court finally hears their prayers and reverses Roe v. Wade, the state legislature can vote to ban all abortions. There is no exception for cases of rape, incest or the health of the mother.

Did I mention that the State Senate is controlled by Democrats??

"The measure moves to the House, where some Democrats hope abortion exceptions in those three instances can be added to the language of the proposed constitutional amendment."

Excuse me, Democrats, the majority Party, are hopeful that we can pass this constitutional amendment with those exceptions??

"'It's a loss today — a woman has absolutely no right,' said Senate Speaker Pro Tem JoAnn Graves, D-Gallatin"

Did I mention that JoAnn Graves voted for the amendment?? That's right! Step One: 'A woman has absolutely no right.' Step Two: I'll vote yes! Who are these people?? Why are they Democrats??

Luckily we have House leadership that, last time I heard, is against this idea. But will we be arguing only over the language? Rather than why this should be inserted in our constitution at all?

Look, I understand this can be a conservative state. I know how hard it was to try and create an income tax, even though it would be fairer and more stable. I understand why Democrats shied away from that due to political pressure from constituents, who just don't like taxes. The way the tax winds have been blowing here there's no way a Senator could have supported that and been reelected, and there's no way it would have passed. Whatever.

But reproductive rights is a central tenet of our existence as a political party! WE. VALUE. WOMEN. Period. Protecting them from being legislatively assaulted is why we bother sending Democrats to Capitol Hill to begin with! When we vote, we don't know what a State Senator's position is on funding for highways, or business tax incentives, funding for science research in state universities, or even their priorities for fixing TennCare. But we know that if we send a Democrat we can protect such basic things as privacy rights, civil rights, and reproductive rights.

What Democrats did in the Tennessee Senate yesterday was a disgrace. The vote wasn't even close. And instead of firming up their support in November elections by not looking "liberal," they have only angered and alienated the Democratic electorate (God I hope they have). The right-wing struck a blow not just for their own agenda, but for their hopes to take over the legislature in November.

And where the hell was the Tennessee Democratic Party during this?? Why is the only Democratic quote in the paper referring to women's rights from a woman who voted for the amendment??
Ask Party Chairman Randy Button. That's what I'm going to do. button@tndp.org