The best way to find out what a Perry presidency would look like for women and social issues writ large? Look at what far-right, conservative, religious and evangelical power players want him to do; whatever it is, he'll do it.
The Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) decided to strengthen and expand existing policies banning shackling of pregnant inmates during labor, delivery and post- recovery. The National Religious Campaign Against Torture applauds this step. However, the cruel and inhumane practice of shackling inmates who are in labor still occurs in some local and regional correctional facilities. Virginia should join the 13 states that have enacted legislation to prohibit this barbaric practice.
The question that we keep hearing now is this: "Does this point to the need for additional regulation of surrogacy?" Our feeling is no. Regulation does not necessarily promote good practice.
Rick Perry and the HPV vaccine, Mitt Romney and abortion rights, Joe Walsh and child support. It's all about conservative dudes playing political football with women's health this week on the podcast.
There is a subtle message--often coming from other women--that to truly experience childbirth, women must eschew medical interventions, including pain medication, and go "natural." But some women are happy to put their deliveries in the hands of the medical establishment with its rules and regulations, its operating rooms, its NICUs, and its drugs. That's a good choice, too.
