typical lawmakers do harm

Here's how Tom Delay ran this like the lawmakers' grandstanding over Terri Schiavo:

H. CON. RES. 107
Expressing the sense of Congress rejecting the conclusions of a recent article published by the American Psychological Association that suggests that sexual relationships between adults and children might be positive for children.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 12, 1999
Mr. SALMON (for himself, Mr. DELAY, Mr. PITTS, and Mr. WELDON of Florida) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress rejecting the conclusions of a recent article published by the American Psychological Association that suggests that sexual relationships between adults and children might be positive for children.
Whereas children are a precious gift and responsibility given to parents by God;
Whereas the spiritual, physical, and mental well-being of children is their sacred duty;
Whereas parents have the right to expect government to refrain from interfering with them in fulfilling their sacred duty and to render necessary assistance;
Whereas the United States Supreme Court has held that parents `who have this primary responsibility for children's well-being are entitled to the support of laws designed to aid discharge of that responsibility' (Ginsberg v. New York, 390 U.S. 629, 639 (1968));
Whereas no segment of our society is more critical to the future of human survival and society than our children;
Whereas it is the obligation of all public policymakers not only to support but also to defend the health and rights of parents, families, and children;
Whereas information endangering children is being made public and, in some instances, may be given unwarranted or unintended credibility through release under professional titles or through professional organizations;
Whereas elected officials have a duty to inform and counter actions they consider damaging to children, parents, families, and society;
Whereas Congress has made sexual molestation and exploitation of children a felony;
Whereas all credible studies in this area, including those published by the American Psychological Association, condemn child sexual abuse as criminal and harmful to children;
Whereas the American Psychological Association has recently published a severely flawed study that suggests that sexual relationships between adults and children are less harmful than believed and might even be positive for `willing' children;
Whereas `Paidika--the Journal of Pedophilia', a publication advocating the legalization of sex with `willing' children, has published an article by one of the authors of the study, Robert Bauserman, Ph.D. (see `Man-Boy Sexual Relationships in a Cross-Cultural Perspective', Issue 5); and
Whereas the United States Supreme Court has recognized that `sexually exploited children are unable to develop healthy, affectionate relationships in later life, have sexual dysfunction, and have a tendency to become sexual abusers as adults' (New York v. Ferber, 458 U.S. 747, 759, n.10 (1982)): Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Congress condemns and denounces all suggestions in the study recently published by the American Psychological Association that indicates sexual relationships between adults and `willing' children are less harmful than believed and might even be positive for `willing' children;
(2) Congress urges the President to likewise reject and condemn, in the strongest terms possible, any suggestion that sexual relations between children and adults--regardless of the child's frame of mind--are anything but abusive, destructive, exploitive, reprehensible, and punishable by law; and
(3) the Congress encourages competent investigations to continue to research the effects of child sexual abuse using the best methodology so that the public and public policymakers may act upon accurate information.

The bottom line is clear to understand: The system is by far, causing the harm, not the sexual activity. The lawmakers have done the bulk of this damage.

Primum non nocere. "First, do no harm." It reminds a physician to consider the possible harm that may result from intervention. Iatrogenics is "Doctor induced illness". These laws are clearly a case of legislators doing heinous harm.

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