Posted on 01/23/2022 2:16:09 PM PST by grundle
Oklahoma state Rep. Forrest Bennett (D), who describes himself as a "pragmatic progressive," walked back a legislative proposal that attempted to corner pro-life advocates.
Instead, pro-life advocates and conservatives agreed with the premise of the proposed legislation, while progressives sharply criticized him.
What happened?
Bennett announced on Twitter that he had introduced HB3129 to codify that "a father’s financial responsibility to his baby & their mom begins at conception."
"If Oklahoma is going to restrict a woman’s right to choose, we sure better make sure the man involved can’t just walk away from his responsibility," Bennett declared.
The bill would make a father responsible for half of all pregnancy expenses.
"Except as otherwise provided in this section, the biological father of a child has a duty to pay fifty percent (50%) of the mother's pregnancy expenses," the bill declares.
Bennett introduced his bill as Republican lawmakers in Oklahoma pursue new abortion restrictions. One proposed bill mirrors the controversial Texas abortion bill, and would permit Oklahomans to sue doctors who perform abortions.
What was the reaction?
Bennett's proposal generated a strong reaction on social media, particularly among conservatives who agreed with him.
In fact, it was pointed out that Bennett's proposal undermines the progressive agenda by acknowledging that life begins at conception, biological men are men, and that "having a baby is a shared responsibility between a man and the woman who’s pregnant."
"I’m 100 percent for this. End abortion. Also, step up and take care of moms and kids," conservative writer David French said. "Great idea. A child’s life begins at conception!" Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain (R) said. "Excellent work. If passed this would give legal status to the baby, recognizing it as a separate person. This would also give the father a legal say in the progress of the pregnancy and immediate parental rights. Outstanding pro-life legislation!" author Chad Felix Greene said. "Sounds like a wonderful pro-life strategy," Christian professor Andrew Walker said. "This is the way," Notre Dame professor Patrick Deneen said. "Whenever people try to own the pro-life movement, they inadvertently end up making sound public policy, "Harvard Law School professor Adrian Vermeule said. "You mean making moms AND dads be held accountable for the human being they created? Hell yeah, we need this in all 50 states!" conservative writer Tiana Lowe said.
How did Bennett respond?
On Saturday, Bennett began back-pedaling. Bennett said he would not move forward with the bill as it is written, and he issued an apology to pro-abortion advocates.
"Let me get this out of the way: obviously I’m not moving forward with this bill as written," Bennett said.
"I’ll own this: I should’ve been more thoughtful & thorough in crafting this bill in the first place. It’s clear there are many unintended consequences, both from the language & design," Bennett explained.
"I understand how the language in my message and bill both hurt the cause instead of helping it, and I apologize for not being more thoughtful," Bennett said.
Personal responsibility is a non-starter for liberals.
The govt is supposed to take care of literally everything.
How on earth did he think this would hurt pro-lifers?
Standard pro infantide statements are that pro lifers only care about the baby till it is born. Then they vote against welfare.
Some Republican should re-introduce it and name the bill after him.
So he aborted his bill.
Even the progressive rats know that when you pay for something you’re entitled to a say in it; you have an interest, and next thing you know you have a right or two. Young and single women in particular, do not want to take into account the wishes of their baby daddies.
Unless it’s a covid shot it’s still a my-body-my-choice thing. To them this proposal is a backdoor handout of rights they think are theirs alone, and one that won’t end with father rights.
He just suffered from brief temporary sanity. It happens and he has apologized. This is one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to liberal.
These ghouls think they’re too clever by a half.
Temporary sanity which led to speaking the silent part out loud, i.e. the truth. Kind of like his idol, Zhao Bai-den, reading the “End of Statement” at the bottom of the page.
“I understand how the language in my message and bill both hurt the cause instead of helping it ...” So, his purpose in introducing this legislation is “to help the cause.” Using babies as pawns is okay to him.
Progressive politicians literally believe their own cliches and propaganda
“a father’s financial responsibility to his baby & their mom begins at conception.”
Fail
The man is not solely responsible and solely devoid of agency at the same time.
The pro-lifers should have kept their silence and voted for the bill without fanfare. Then they could start on the ramifications.
It is very difficult to argue logically when your entire premise is based on nothing more than personal emotions and selfishness.
The only way for DEMs to reconcile these glaring conflicts in basic logic; is to do the standard thing - ignore them and pretend they do not exist
And RINO cucks are only too happy to sit back and do nothing; because they are too cowardly to solve a problem. To them it’s nothing more than another empty campaign promise
They refuse to acknowledge why Trump won on such a landslide. People are tired of the cucks.
Solely is not claimed.
“Some Republican should re-introduce it and name the bill after him.”
Brilliant idea
Imagine having to apologize because you implied life begins at conception.
Thats interesting, because there are many movements to BAN DNA testing in order to entrap men who can't prove they are not the father.
Because. Liberal. Idiot.
No concept of Unintended Consequences
Couple it with mandatory paternity testing for all births, and I’d be for it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.