Here Lies American Democracy

Axios tells us that the Democrats in Congress are trying to legislate protections for contraceptives and marriage equality before Y’all Qaeda and the #IllegitimateSCOTUS can gut them (all the usual disclaimers about emboldening and enigmatic bullet usage apply):

Still reeling from the Supreme Court’s decision to end Roe v. Wade, congressional Democrats are readying legislation to codify nationwide contraceptive access, LGBTQ marriage and parenting rights — and even potentially long-settled precedent on interracial marriage. The question: Will Republicans go along, or block them?

Why it matters: Democrats’ strategy serves a dual purpose. If the measures pass, it’s a significant assurance for millions of Americans worried that conservative state legislatures are coming for them next.

• If the measures stall, it may give Democrats — the clear underdogs heading into November — more potent ammunition to retain and turn out voters.

I really cannot believe that Axios feels that they need to tell their reader why it matters. But I interrupted:

What we’re hearing: Whether the House of Representatives will vote on these bills before or after they break for a lengthy August recess has yet to be decided, according to Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).

• “I do believe that we should move with urgency,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), chair of the House Democratic Caucus, told Axios.
• Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said if such bills pass the House, “That would be a priority for me. I’ve talked about it with [Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer to see if we can do it.”

I’m not exaggerating (much, anyway) that these are culture war issues that actually play well on our side, and I don’t mean to be belittling the importance of stable families, but this really is politics and we should look at it, you know, politically.

And that brings us to the NYTimes:

Interviews with these young voters reveal generational tensions driving their frustration. As they have come of age facing racial strife, political conflict, high inflation and a pandemic, they have looked for help from politicians who are more than three times their age.”

Those older leaders often talk about upholding institutions and restoring norms, while young voters say they are more interested in results. Many expressed a desire for more sweeping changes like a viable third party and a new crop of younger leaders. They’re eager for innovative action on the problems they stand to inherit, they said, rather than returning to what worked in the past.

I bring this up because the callous Yutes of today are on the verge of being lost to the Dems (and the Republicans). If they see that no one is fighting for them, well, the cynicism will be baked in.

It is also a well-established fact that they are much more likely to know out-and-proud LGBTQ people in the peer groups more than any other generation, and are OK with sexxytime however consenting people want it. Contraception is always a critical component of that.

Don’t blow it, Democrats. This moment to stand up and do what is right is actually a gift.