Round On The Ends, Hi In The Middle

 It's a well-worn path, but I'll just go ahead and say that I personally would not describe myself as "pro-abortion." It's one of those terrible semantic corners into which no one should be forced. Am I "pro-women's rights," including that of making decisions regarding their health? Yes I am. I am perfectly at home with the idea that it is nobody else's decision but the woman when it comes time to decide if they should go through a potentially life-altering and possibly life-threatening nine month ordeal. 

Nonetheless, I am pleased to report the news that "pro-abortion" voters have rejected Ohio's Issue 1. Issue 1 was put forth by Republicans in the Buckeye State to raise the threshold of support required for future state constitutional amendments to sixty percent. Currently, only a majority is needed. The measure also proposed toughening rules for groups trying to place future measures on the ballot by requiring them to obtain signatures from voters in all of Ohio’s eighty-eight counties, instead of the forty-four now required. Additionally, the measure would have eliminated a ten day “curing” period during which groups are allowed to gather additional signatures to replace any previous signatures that officials deem invalid.

So, if you're looking at that last paragraph trying to find the references to abortion or choices or reproductive health, you can stop. Issue 1 was a minorly Machiavellian move on the Ohio GOP's part to make it harder for their state to create a state constitution amendment to enshrine reproductive rights for women. 

Ever since the "Supreme" Court struck down Roe v Wade last summer, conservative groups have been working to keep states from being able to make a woman's choice just that: a woman's choice. Ohio is the seventh state to push back on this Republican led powerplay, Michigan, Vermont and California have already passed measures to protect "abortion rights," while Kentucky, Montana, Kansas and now Ohio have laid ground for similar legislation. Across the country, voters continue to support a woman's right to choose by nearly two to one. That creaking sound you hear is the strain of those Republicans trying to hold that standard high. 

It's not working. Anyone who has seen the Barbie movie could have told you that.