Rush Limbaugh’s protest is by far the harshest and most widely publicized criticism of the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act and women’s rights.
Imagine advocating for women’s contraception rights only to be called a “slut” and “prostitute” by the biggest name in ultra-conservative broadcasting.
This is a reality for Sandra Fluke, the 30-year-old Georgetown law student who, after speaking at an informal Congressional event in support of free contraceptives for college students this past month, was personally targeted by radio personality Rush Limbaugh.
For those unfamiliar with the Obama Administration’s recent health care changes, Fluke and Limbaugh have different opinions about parts of the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act, namely the contraception mandate.
Starting on August 1, 2012, the Obama Administration wants all health insurance plans to provide contraception to women free of charge. This will include oral contraceptives such as “the pill,” which Fluke advocates for, as well as fourteen other FDA approved safe-sex devices, according to a recent New York Times article.
Much conservative opposition to the mandate exists, as birth control is often viewed as a religious issue, rather than one that can be regulated by the government.
Starting at the beginning of March, Limbaugh began his long-winded slander towards Fluke. What began as an anti-Obamacare soliloquy, escalated into a full-blown, personal attack Fluke and American women as a whole.
Most notable, Limbaugh stated that Fluke “goes before a Congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex, what does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex.”
Limbaugh continued to rant that “she’s having so much sex she can’t afford the contraception. She wants you and me and the taxpayers to pay her to have sex. What does that make us? We’re the pimps.”
Seemingly, Limbaugh is under the impression that the oral contraception pills Fluke is fighting for are solely because of rampant sexual activity.
He is clearly misinformed.
Oral contraceptives are also used to treat conditions such as irregular periods, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, acne, menstrual cramps, low estrogen levels, anemia and other potentially life-threatening conditions according the youngwomenshealth.org.
Having a dangerous medical condition that requires oral contraceptives would not make women “sluts” or “prostitutes” just looking for sex. Young Women’s Health even discusses the fact that taking the pill may even lower sex drive.
And Limbaugh should know about drugs that alter sex drive.
It is hard to forget about his drug violation is 2006, for smuggling just under 30 VIAGRA PILLS into the country when US Customs searched his private plane upon arrival from the Dominican Republic. According to CBS news, the pills were without a prescription and were confiscated.
Since when is erectile dysfunction a justification for drug smuggling? Would Limbaugh be less bitter if his ED medications were covered under insurance mandates?
Seemingly, Limbaugh has no right to call Fluke a slut when he himself broke the law in order to please his current wife- not to mention his three previous exes.
He is even quoted as saying, “I had a great time in the Dominican Republic. Wish I could tell you about it,” in the same CBS article. He is overtly bragging about his own promiscuity.
Are oral contraceptives the same as illegally smuggled Viagra in his mind?
This is not the end of Limbaugh’s radio tirade.
Limbaugh used a baby voice to imitate Fluke saying that:
“I’m going broke having sex. I need government to provide me condoms and contraception. It’s not fair.”
He continued to ask: “Ms. Fluke, have you ever heard of not having sex?
“So, Ms. Fluke and the rest of you feminazis, here’s the deal. If we are going to pay for your contraceptives, and thus pay for you to have sex, we want something for it, and I’ll tell you what it is.
“We want you to post the videos online so we can all watch.”
No matter your political viewpoint, these statements are clearly personal, disgusting attacks. What Republican candidate would endorse civilian porn?
It is also important to note that all of these quotes are according to the New York Times, because transcripts of this women-hating rant were deleted from his website . . . which says something doesn’t it?
Additionally, presidential hopeful Mitt Romney says, “It is not the language I would have used,” according to the NY Times- leaving his supporters and critics wondering what words he would have used.
President Obama even made a personal call to Fluke to ensure that she was not too disheartened by Limbaugh’s words.
Conservative radicals like Limbaugh perpetuate the female double-standard- indirectly stating that Viagra is necessary, but female safe-sex is wrong.
Every political media source has some type of angle. But, this time, Rush Limbaugh took it too far.
Leave a Reply