A great new article in Quartz puts the lie to the naive assumption that Ohio is a midwestern bastion of moderation with a reasonable and centrist governor in John Kasich. Even “Middle America” is a fringe swampland inhabited by cold-blooded monsters when it comes to abortion rights–because women’s issues are considered a specialty niche where otherwise “moderate” politicians can indulge their hidden extremists tendencies.
Deep red states like Alabama and Oklahoma get a reputation for being festering misogynistic sinkholes where reproductive rights go to die, mostly because that’s what they are. But it doesn’t mean that “moderate” states like Ohio or even solidly blue states aren’t home to some of the same anti-woman, anti-choice tendencies.
Ohio lawmakers just sent a bill to Kasich for signature that would essentially ban abortion after 6 weeks. And since it’s almost impossible to realize the need for an abortion and arrange for one in that time frame, Ohio is virtually making abortion impossible to obtain.
There’s a sordid history of Ohio meddling in reproductive rights. They were the first state to ban the so-called “partial birth” abortions (which don’t actually exist). The state also requires unnecessary ultrasounds, a 24-hour waiting period, and parental consent. And waiting in the wings are perennial attempts to pass one of those macabre fetal burial bills.
Ohio is Mississippi without the BBQ.
And their “moderate” posterboy Governor John Kasich is Mike Pence on Just For Men. NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio called him “if not the worst—among the worst of anti-choice governors in this country’s history.” The number of clinics in Ohio went from 16 to 8 under his watch. And he cheered as he watched.
You never know where the next threat to abortion rights will come from. That’s why Lady Parts Justice League watches all 50 states, 24/7, to let you know when you’re being fucked with.
