Twitversation On International Day Of Infantilizing Women
That's "International Women's Day," and, as I wrote yesterday, no, I'm not for it, as it screams, "We're not equal."
I spotted this Twitter convo. First, Christina Dewing:
@CJ_Dewing
.@DrJenGunter if men had periods, tampons and pads would not only be tax-free, they would be paid for by the state.
And then, Dr. Jennifer Gunter, whom I follow and generally like and respect:
@DrJenGunter
I'd like male politicians who think taxing menstrual products is ok to bleed out their ass for 5 days/month then vote on it #IntlWomensDay
Are the ladies under the impression that money gets plucked off a big tree? My response:
@amyalkon
.@CJ_Dewing @DrJenGunter So you're libertarians, against big govt? Otherwise, how do you think all that socialized everything gets paid for?
Naturally, nobody responded to that.
Oh, and by the way, from the Wash Times:
Obamacare eventually will impose nearly two dozen new or higher taxes on the American public, according to Americans for Tax Reform, which calls the new rules that took effect Jan. 1 the "medicine cabinet tax." This penalty hits many everyday items in the ordinary household. Until now, Americans could use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs) to pay, pretax, not just for major medical care and prescription drugs but also for nonprescription, over-the-counter medicines. Experts say such basic treatments save money in the long run by helping avoid expensive surgery and hospitalization down the road.Obamacare disallows this use of HSAs and FSAs. Basic aspirin, laxatives, antihistamines, decongestants, antacids: None of them will be covered by self-controlled, self-savings plans favored by millions of middle-class families. The problem is worse for FSAs because funds can't be carried from one year to the next, meaning any cash left at year's end is forfeited by the saver and taxed by the government. This will prove to be an expensive and unsuccessful remedy for the nation's health care woes. If people can't use these monies for off-the-shelf cold and flu treatments and will lose any balance that's left unused, there's a greater chance the sick will ask doctors for pricey prescription drugs even for minor ailments.
Are things like adult diapers and bandaids taxed?
NicoleK at March 9, 2015 1:21 AM
Condoms aren't free. Soap isn't free. If you have internet service porn is free, but I don't recall the government subsidizing it.
What are all these male only products we get for free from the government?
Ben at March 9, 2015 5:40 AM
Actually, condoms can be had for free. Go down to your county health department and they'll give you some.
They won't be of the best quality, or best fit, but they're free. And they're free because it's cheaper to provide condoms than treating STIs that you might get or give along the way.
I R A Darth Aggie at March 9, 2015 6:42 AM
I wasn't aware of the changes that are being made to the HSA and FSA accounts, but they don't surprise me. This administration is keen on taxing anything a responsible, middle-class family might invest in to to save money in the long run. A $9 an hour employee probably doesn't have an HSA. A family with a $90k/yr income is likely to.
But really, Mr. President, keep telling me all about the good things you're doing for the "middle class."
ahw at March 9, 2015 9:59 AM
You got me there IRA. I'm still not aware of a free male only product like a tampon.
Ben at March 9, 2015 11:02 AM
Prostate exams and prostate/testicular surgery are certainly not free. Male hormone treatments are not only astoundingly expensive, but the DEA regards them as controlled substances, so getting a prescription filled is an ordeal. Unlike birth control pills, that stuff is not handed out like candy.
Cousin Dave at March 9, 2015 12:17 PM
FSA are actually "flexible spending accounts."
jdgalt at March 9, 2015 4:15 PM
Dr. Jennifer Gunter, whom I do NOT follow sounds like an ass.
Sorry, Amy, if you general like her; but any doctor who compares menstruation to anal bleeding is an idiot.
If anyone, male or female, is bleeding out their ass for 5 days straight it could be more than just hemorrhoids, it could be cancer - and one who calls herself "Dr." should know that.
And for a "Dr." to wish that on someone is just plain despicable. I guess she never heard of (or took) the Hippocratic oath.
Or maybe she is one of those "feminist" OB/GYNs who hate all men? (mind you not all OB/GYN are feminist nor man-haters; just some, mainly the whack jobs)
charles at March 9, 2015 6:08 PM
A great blog post.
Why would I be financially responsible for the menstrual flow of strangers, but not for their toilet paper?
This blog post is about socialism, not feminism. Props to Amy for calling it "infantile"... It is supremely childish.
Kash is a wonderful woman, but in a sequence of Tweets this afternoon, it felt like she was walking back and forth across a line: Can Apple really do anything to improve a woman's life in this context.
Crid [CridComment at Gmail] at March 9, 2015 6:28 PM
I generally like Hill (Kash), too, but agree.
Amy Alkon at March 9, 2015 7:17 PM
Yeah, I have same issues with her. I think it's great that she's promoting vaccines, etc. and then she does stupid things like retweeting a fake teachers contract from 1923 that kind of makes her look no better than the fools who fall for other internet hoaxes.
CatherineM at March 10, 2015 3:24 PM
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