The right wing panic reaction

[phantom power]

Conservatives often have a better read than liberals do on how macro politics affects micro politics, which is to say, they really do get how oppressed people can see progress in the larger political world, and that boosts their self-esteem and makes them feel more entitled to demand better treatment in daily life.

Liberals see no co-pay contraception and think, "That'll help women save money and lower the unintended pregnancy rate."

Conservatives see it and think, "That'll suggest to women that being able to have sex while retaining control over your body is your god-given right that the President went out of his way to protect. That's going to make those bitches uppity."

Thing is, conservatives are right on this front. While the stigma of contraception has faded over the years, some taboo still clings to it, especially for the young and disempowered. We're still anxious about it, because we as a society haven't completely come around to the argument that sex is good, and therefore should be pursued with minimal risks. But having the President say that contraception is a normal part of health care and that it should be classified as preventive care---that's how normal and universal it is---sends a strong message. It suggests that the government knows you're fucking, and they not only don't judge you for it, but they want to make sure you're safe. "Hey," this move says, "Contraception is normal. Everyone uses it. It's a public good, like indoor plumbing or electricity." That could have profound long-term effects on reducing shame around female sexuality, and thereby giving women more self-confidence when it comes to sex. I suspect women may in fact become harder for men to push around, for instance. God knows if we can actually take the sting out of the word "slut", fewer women will buy the line that they're washed up harridans at age 30, and therefore have to settle down and start cooking for any man who'll take them. You can see how this directly threatens conservative men especially.

So they're panicking, flinging the word "slut" around a lot, and trying to preserve the sexual taboos that are being dismantled by the pro-choice movement. Unfortunately, they are seeing success.

http://pandagon.net/index.php/site/comments/the-right-wing-panic-reaction

[seabeyond]

1. when i start hearing them call men sluts for having sex with these women

then we can have a conversation