On most political maps, Arizona is a “red state” in being predominantly Republican. But on one map, we’re decidedly a “pink state.” That’s the map of “America’s Rape Belt,” and we get that distinction because BOTH of our sitting U.S. Senators, John McCain and Jon Kyl, voted against a bill to protect rape victims.
They weren’t alone. A total of 30 Senators–all Republicans–voted against a bill sponsored by Minnesota Sen. Al Franken that prevents defense contractors from stopping their raped employees from taking their cases to court. Truly. Some firms, notably KBR, a former subsidiary of Halliburton, thinks their women employees who get raped on the job should just suck it up, I guess. If they try to pursue justice in court, they get fired. Frankin thought that was outrageous. So do most women in the world and a good share of men. His bill passed 68 to 30.
The vote so outraged some women they created a satire website called “Republicans for Rape.” And Arizona once again was embarrassed by our sitting Republican Senators.
But is it really a satire. Or is there something far darker and more menacing and more horrifying in the Republican stance on rape. In fact, the pattern we’re seeing says the Republican stance on rape is so outrageous, it should cause every single woman in the nation to think twice before voting for a Republican.
This list isn’t complete, but it’s the start of the “Republican Hall of Shame on Rape”:
–Indiana Senatorial candidate Richard Mourdock says if a girl gets pregnant from being raped, “God intended it to happen.”
–Missouri Senatorial candidate Todd Atkin says women don’t get pregnant if they’re a victim of “legitimate rape.”
–Iowa Representative Steve King says he’s never heard of a girl getting pregnant from statutory rape.
–Pennsylvania Senatorial candidate Tom Smith compared rape to out-of-wedlock pregnancy.
–Wisconsin State Rep. Roger Rivard said “some girls, they rape so easy.”
–Presidential Contender Rick Santorium said women who get pregnant from being raped should accept “the gift of human life, and accept what God has given you.”
–Vice presidential contender Paul Ryan has called rape a “method of contraception.” He also cosponsored a bill on “forcible rape” as though there were types of rape that are fun and games.
These white men, all, Republicans all, shouldn’t be allowed near the elected bodies of our nation.