Polling shows the majority of the nation is mostly pro choice, making it largely a losing argument for Republicans to run on. In fact, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis quietly signed a 6 week abortion ban on a Friday at 11 at night. He didn’t want it getting attention, but it still did. It’s one of the most strict bans in the nation.
Freedom of choice is one argument progressives make, but there’s another interesting one. How can abortion be prohibited if it’s the Republicans that are anti welfare, anti government spending on foster and adoption programs, and who essentially financially screw the new mother and her kid after birth?
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, however, is putting his money where his mouth is, and may very well quell those calls. Mississippi has one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation, so Reeves just signed a slew of “culture of life” bills. The culture of life encourages women not to get an abortion, but also provides the safeguards needed for new mothers not quite prepared for a kid.
“Mississippi has moved to the next phase in our pursuit to build a culture of life,” Reeves said. “That phase is the new pro-life agenda. This next phase will not be easy, and it will not be free. But it is the right thing to do.”
One of the bills gives a $10,000 tax credit for couples wanting to adopt, hoping that the adoption movement becomes bigger.
And $10 million will go to people or businesses that donate to centers that provide diapers, toys, and other baby needs, as well as medicine for women who are currently pregnant.
One bill also always a safe drop box for mother’s looking to abandon their kid before they’re 45 days old. The morality of that whole thing has been up for discussion, to say the least.
Another bill creates greater transparency for foster parents, as well as quicker access to Child Protection Services Employees should a situation arise. This is crucial as there are many sad stories about good foster parents fighting for but losing their kids (often to the original, ill equipped parent), often because there aren’t enough foster employees to hear them out or regularly monitor the quality of their parenting.
And finally, one bill separates Child Protection Services from the Mississippi Department of Health and Human Services. As a stand alone org, that will allow the group to collect significantly more federal money.
Whatever you feel about the abortion issue, here’s hoping more states will follow suit.
Add comment