MCCL

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) is one of the most far-right groups out there. Even pro-life politicians sometimes get sick of their singular focus on one issue and their vengeance if people don't vote the correct way 100% of the time, even on the smallest matters. Normally, their legislative agenda consists of finding every possible way to criminalize abortion. Banning discussion of abortion, instituting waiting periods, these are all stops on the way to their goal of complete control of reproductive rights (and, by extension, sexuality).

So I must admit that I am surprised, along with a lot of other people, at their legislative agenda. They actually want to help children after they are born, a huge change for them. Depending on how it was done, such as whether or not these organizations would turn helping women into a religious thing, I would have no problem with organizations that encourage adoption and provide health care for women and children.

Their other ideas, however, continue to be nonsense. The fetal pain bill is particularly pathetic. It's nice to see that Steve Sviggum, who I am sure is not a doctor, is nevertheless sufficiently versed in neurological and fetal development to say that he understands fetuses feel pain. Being a Philosophy minor, I would be happy to debate Sviggum on the mind-body problem and questions of perception, but it would probably be a waste of time.

Republicans love to energize their fundie base by pandering to right-wing issues like abortion. Some of the more cynical of people think that many Republicans aren't actually concerned with doing anything about the issue, preferring to keep it out there to motivate people to vote. After all, Republicans have been in charge of Congress for ten years, and the White House for four, and abortion is still around. Sviggum says that finding money for these programs may be a tough thing, meaning that once again the legislature may just pay lip service to the wishes of MCCL. We'll just have to see what happens.