Chattels of the State?

By Vickilane


One of my friends recently asked some very good questions about this pending decision re Roe v. Wade. Lots to think about.

Suppose a young girl from a poor family is raped and pregnant.  Her state has banned abortion totally. Will the state pay for her hospitalization and care? Suppose she dies in childbirth. Will the state pay for her funeral?

Suppose in that same state, a woman with a medical condition that makes pregnancy and childbirth an almost certain death sentence is unexpectedly pregnant. If the state forces her to continue the pregnancy, doesn't that make her body a chattel of the state. Suppose she dies--can her family sue the state? Will the state then raise taxes to cover the costs?

How can the states say they can't enforce mask wearing but they can force women to continue and unwanted pregnancy?

My friend's comment about women's bodies as chattel is so on point. Could a woman be forced to donate organs to save a child's life? Could she be refused birth control? Could the state determine that she is not fit to bear children and force her to be sterilized? (It was legal in NC till 1977.) Could the state mandate that she stay home to care for the child --nah, that wouldn't happen because all Republican in the forefront of this movement care about is getting rid of abortion to satisfy the rabid base. They have little to no interest in caring for the results of unplanned pregnancies. 

Will birth control be next in the Supreme Courts crosshairs? Gay marriage? Gender identity? 

Be afraid. Be very afraid.