Power

Medicaid Should Stop Paying for Viagra

Conservatives don't want to pay for abortions? Well, I don't want to pay for erections.

The fight over whether or not to use public funds to pay for abortion services has been waged for years. Many times arch-conservative Christian groups have launched campaigns to de-fund Planned Parenthood in different states.

But in Virginia, the attacks have been taken to a new – and more sickening – level. Agreeing with the Virginia Christian Alliance during their press conference, Delegate Bob Marshall of Manassas decided to take their dogma one step further, saying

“The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically. Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children.”

The absurdity of that statement needs no comment, though many others have provided excellent feedback.

Despite the uproar, three other male Virginia public officials, Governor Bob McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bolling, and Attorney General Cuccinelli, have released statements saying they agree with the idea of stripping  funds for Planned Parenthood. 

They don’t think that taxpayers should have to pay for abortions.

Well how about this: I don’t think my tax dollars should pay for erections.

That’s right – Medicare, a publicly-funded program, covers Viagra. In case you forgot, Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction. A.k.a., Viagra is used so men can have sex…with women. (You know our homophobic society wouldn’t condone a drug meant to be used by gay couples).

How is that at all the same as funding abortion services, you might ask?

Allow me to point out possibly the largest hypocrisy in politics: The idea that it’s OK to use public funds so men can get it up and have sex, but it’s not fair to provide birth control or reproductive services to the women they have sex with.

So Planned Parenthood “promotes promiscuity” and Viagra promotes abstinence? Right.

Well, ladies, I hope you either want a lot of children or know of a magical fairy who turns off your reproductive system until you’re ready for motherhood.

Myself, I have yet to meet that magical fairy. So until I do, I think public funds should stop paying for Viagra. I don’t want my tax dollars contributing to men’s erections, which could lead to unwanted pregnancy and abortion.

What say ye, gentleman of Virginia?

PS: Could you point me to an affordable clinic where I can get annual exams and cancer screenings? Thanks.