I have a question because I am having a hard time wrapping my head around this concept- abstinence. Why would the Bush administration pump so much cash into what is clearly a bad idea? What is it a smokescreen for? Why would people encourage their kids to do this? I know that it is probably obvious, but I really do not get why people would so willingly "impair" the natural growth of their kids sexuality? Any feedback is appreciated.
Because they really believe that all the empirical studies are made up and that abstinence only education will save our children. Well, that's my least cynical response.
ReplyDeleteThe real reason is probably because they are stupid and blinded by irrationality. That, and they are anti-science. Science is the enemy and is not to be trusted whenever it doesn't agree with what they already believe.
Republicans have a vested interest in increasing teen pregnancy. Unwanted children make great soldiers when they grow up and have no opportunities. You can't spell infantry without infant.
ReplyDeleteYes, I guess that maybe I really only understand the Republican problem from a very distant perspective.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ginx. You need paupers who haven't gone to college to believe your propaganda lies about 'the enemy'. You need paupers with no jobs to serve as canon fodder.
ReplyDeleteDefense contracting is a multi-billion dollar industry. In order to support that, you need masses upon masses of young desperate people. Of course, you need to pretty-it up and sugar-coat it in patriotic anti-muslim baloney, but the key is to increase the birth rate among the lower classes. Sons of Senators are not getting shipped to Kandahar.
Fill their minds with fears of 'government-run healthcare', fears of 'government taking over education', and incite them to vote against these things, and you have a populace unable to afford college or health insurance, and then, you offer that as military benefits.
Funny that a couple years ago, a bill in Congress that would have expanded college funding for veterans was shot down by the Republicans, out of fear that it would negatively impact re-enlistment. You don't say!
Interesting.... Your comments reminded me of this song, and it may still be relevant today. Fortunate Son- CCR.
ReplyDeleteSome folks are born made to wave the flag,
Ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief",
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son.
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no,
I could see that- but what about the rate of STD's from it? That is some scary ass shit.
I don't think the STD's are part of the plan, but they are definitely an unfortunate result of this misguided silliness.
ReplyDeletePerhaps a simpler way to look at this abstinence thing is that it makes religious people happy that the elected officials are taking their beliefs seriously, so it helps with re-elections and fundraising.
Now that I think about it, maybe it's not intentional that it increases teen pregnancy either.
But intentional or not, the upper class can't survive without a lower class propping it up; buying its products and fighting its wars. Religion plays a role in maintaining the old social order.
Yeah, that might be the bigger picture. Or, it could be back to that great quote of Napoleon's
ReplyDelete"Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet”
It is sad. When I was younger, I used to wish that I had been born in America. That was the best country, had New York and Hollywood, etc. I used to think that Canada was so dull and cold beside it. Now, I am so grateful everyday for my citizenship, that I have had the privilege of living my life as a Canadian. The issues that the Americans seem to debate are just not on the table here, and sometimes, a good old trip to the US reminds me of that. I mean, we do not even talk about abortion. Our government is pro choice, it is the responsibility of the individual to determine what is right for them, and that is the end of it. But, it is cold.
I left Canada partly to escape the stupidity of the Bloc Québécois and all that separatist bullcrap. I thought American politics would be more mature. Boy was I mistaken. Politics is politics no matter where you live.
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