There are so many things to be angry about in the wake of the news that the Supreme Court plans to overturn Roe v Wade, but one of the most frustrating, for many people, is the continued insistence that the solution to this kind of attack on our civil rights, is to “just vote.”
Look, I’m a big fan of voting. I think it’s essential and I think everyone should do it (and be able to do it early, by mail, or however else is the most convenient). But holy cow, if that’s the best and only solution Democrats still have to offer at this point, it is clearly not enough.
During his presidential campaign, Joe Biden promised to codify Roe v Wade into law, offering federal protections for abortion rights.
hey joe where we at on this one https://t.co/oYK5X8q5sG
— ashley ray (@theeashleyray) May 3, 2022
We know that’s not as simple as we would hope given the fact that Democrats technically control the White House and both chambers of Congress. Of course, we know that who actually controls the Senate is not Democrats, but Joe Manchin (with an assist from Kyrsten Sinema), as he has decided to stonewall every important piece of Democrat-driven legislation he can.
Sen Joe Manchin (D-WV): “The filibuster is the only protection we have of democracy right now.”
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) May 3, 2022
Clearly, there needs to be extreme reform or outright abolishment of the filibuster in its current state or Republicans + Manchin will kill every meaningful bill that comes up for a Senate vote. Biden must agree, right? Nope! He said earlier this week he’s “not prepared to make those judgments now.”
Oh OK, Joe! Well, feel free to take your time figuring it out!
Reporter: “Should the Senate do away with the filibuster to codify Roe?”
— The Recount (@therecount) May 3, 2022
President Biden: “I’m not prepared to make those judgements now.” pic.twitter.com/H3ZmRbTlZ9
Yes, Manchin and Sinema and every single Republican (yes even Susan Collins, despite what she wants so desperately for us to believe) are standing in the way of a clean vote to codify Roe. But there are so many other things Biden could do.
The most immediate thing the Biden Administration can do to guarantee abortion access in the states with post-Roe anti-abortion trigger laws is to affirm that the FDA will approve telemedicine for mifepristone (abortion pill) and it can be sent via mail regardless of state law.
— Aaron Astor (@AstorAaron) May 3, 2022
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SHOULD PROMISE TO SEND DOCTORS TO PROVIDE ABORTION SERVICES ON FEDERAL PROPERTY
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) May 3, 2022
People keep acting like this idea is crazy and it’s NOT… it would just take a President COMMITTED TO PROTECTING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS instead of committed to protecting the fee fees of the forced birth lobby. https://t.co/GVQKIRVCYq
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) May 3, 2022
Instead, Biden and many others in positions of power are resting on the old standby classic “just vote.” And people are tired of it. How many “blue waves” do we need before the people we elect start standing up for us—which includes thinking outside the box.
Joe Biden legitimately has the opportunity to become one of the most consequential presidents in modern history if he’s just willing to think outside the box and act. “LOL Just vote” is not going to cut it.
— ⚓️Imani Two-Kitchens Gandy⚓️ (@AngryBlackLady) May 4, 2022
We’re staring down the barrel of a 2010-style wipeout. Just vote? HOW??
we flipped georgia man wtf more do you want from us, like tag you’re it https://t.co/LBpbZusABM
— andré (@not_carlisle) May 3, 2022
It’s gonna be funny when Republicans get a majority and stack the court and people get mad at strangers for not voting right again
— Alex Peter (@LolOverruled) May 4, 2022
Even worse are the Democrats making it clear that even if they’re upset, they see this SCOTUS decision as a political win—as a political mainspring that can get voters fired up in November. They’re also using the furor around Roe to fundraise, a lot—I know I’m not the only one who’s received a barrage of texts and emails to donate because, to quote one text, “Joe Biden here. Reproductive rights are on the ballot. It’s on us to elect more pro-choice Dems this Nov. Rush $15 to the DNC.”
“We can run on this and win.”
— jim (@jamesmurtagh) May 3, 2022
That’s all it’s about to them. Hot talking points and job security. They could save women’s rights, protect trans children, give us healthcare.
They don’t because they don’t care. Plain as day. They just do not actually care. https://t.co/oHhDllyMBE
If the leaked Supreme Court decision moves forward as is, it is slated to take effect in June. This means that there will be five months between then and November—and two more before anyone elected then takes office—when much of the country will not have access to safe, legal abortion.
And even if voters do get fired up enough to put more Democrats in Congress this November, then what happens? It would be nice to have any sort of sign that anything at all would change in the slightest.
(image: David Ryder/Getty Images)
