Tell Me Again How Dems Are Different Than Repubs?

What I think about all of this is not fit to print. Let's just say that I'm beyond disgusted.

This from DailyKos...

It's one thing to screw up on a highly complex and difficult issue like Iraq and capitulate to Bush, but on abstinence-only education? For shame.

Today, the House Democrats will waltz into the mark-up of the Labor HHS Subcommittee and proudly present a bill that puts their stamp of approval on domestic abstinence-only-until-marriage programs—an ideological boondoggle that threatens the health and well-being of America's youth.

The most appalling aspect of this sell-out is that that the Democrats will not only fully fund the worst of the failed abstinence-only-until-marriage programs—they'll give them a $27 million increase—the first in three years!

Shame on Congressman David Obey for brokering this "deal;" shame on Congresswoman Nita Lowey for agreeing to it; and shame on those other Democrats on the Appropriations Committee who have already promised not to offer any amendment that would cut funding for abstinence-only programs and thus "upset" the deal....

Consider this irony. The first domestic policy the Democrats will endorse on the prevention front will be to fund abstinence-only-until-marriage programs for young people up to the age of 29! Good work, gang. You make me proud to be a Democrat—NOT!

And consider this second irony. The Democrats will now become one of the largest funders of an ultra-conservative network that is clearly hostile to its policies and candidates (See an in-depth article in The Nation.)

What in the hell are Obey and Pelosi thinking on this one? Study after study has shown that abstinence-only education not only doesn't work, but is harming the health of young people. This is just insane. And why are they doing this? According to a CQ Today article cited by Bill Scher:

Lawmakers say the olive branch extended to Republicans increases the likelihood that the bill will pass the House with a veto-proof majority. It also sends a strong signal that Appropriations Chairman David R. Obey, D-Wis., will avoid controversial social policy changes this year in the interest of moving bills.

This is more than just controversial social policy. This is a profound failure on the part of Democratic leadership, once again, to stand up to a harmful conservative agenda. This, of all ridiculous policies wrought on the nation by the GOP Congress, is a no-brainer to let die.

The Appropriations Committee is meeting on this even as I write, but it's not to late to call. Call Pelosi at 202.225.4965 and e-mail her at sf.nancy@mail.house.gov. Call Obey, at 202.225.2771 and e-mail him here. Tell them no more funding for abstinence-only education.

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