One Simple Chart That Explains Why Conservatives Will Lose The Birth Control Debate

[Playinghardball]

Contraceptive use among American women who have had sex (2006-2008). Note: Excludes natural family planning.

Found on MotherJones

[Speck Tater]

1. And don't forget the influence of the drug companies who make contraceptives. nt

[GoCubsGo]

2. And, the doctors who prescribe them for medical reasons other than birth control. n/t

[lolly]

4. True---but it's annoying that we even have to point that out

I can actually envision a scenario when women and/or their doctors will have to provide proof that a prescription is for "medical" purposes only, and that the woman isn't using it to try to prevent pregnancy.

It should not matter whether the pills are being used to prevent pregnancy or to treat medical problems.

[Arugula Latte]

3. And anybody who has more than two brain cells.

[Happyhippychick]

5. And the husbands who hate the misogyny of the GOP!

[FogerRox]

6. Clear consice, plain as day, KnR

[AlinPA]

7. I don't have a chart, but the GOP controls a lot of state legislatures and governorships, so they

can lose the debate but still put in laws to eliminate womens reproductive rights.

[Iris]

9. Good point. n/t

[jeff47]

10. Then they'll lose those state legislatures and governorships

The only hope for the GOP here is to keep going with the "religious freedom" canard. It will be up to the Democrats to not let them get away with hiding in that bullshit.

[customerserviceguy]

8. If it is viewed as solely a birth control debate, you have a point

If the RCC church leaders and their clergy can recast it as a religious liberty issue, then that simple chart is too simple to address the question.

The bishops are preparing their flocks for that debate right now. They're well aware that the faithful do whatever the hell they want in their own bedrooms, but they also know that they can play victim in this situation. Few Catholics have the guts to say to a cleric of their faith, "You're wrong to support Church policy on this." If they really, truly feel that way, they just leave. The current crop of Catholics could stomach the pedophile scandals, at this point, they're pre-sifted to find those who will believe any line of bullshit from the bishops.

Expect them to appeal to the Catholic part of Santorum if he's the nominee, many older Catholics still recall the pride they had at having JFK be President and a member of their religion, and expect them to tell tales from the JFK era about how insidious religious prejudice is in this country, if Romney is the nominee. Catholics aren't nearly as fearful of Mormons as Christian fundies are.