US Bill defining gender expression

[FranTastic444]

I am not particularly a fan of AOC, but I like the angle she has taken on transgender participants in sports. Many of us on this forum are at an age where we are going to have children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces who are of school age. Why should I care about transgender legislation when it won't impact me, you might ask. The point that AOC makes is that whilst few (if any) of us on this forum would expect to be caught up in such legislation, our younger relatives will be impacted regardless of whether they are transgender or not. This clip details AOC's argument.

Targeting trans children for playing sports makes all women, whether trans or cisgender, less safe. Sex testing is regressive, invasive, discriminatory, and a fundamental violation of our privacy as women and as Americans. This is shameful.

[Modoc]

While this is certainly nothing to lose sleep over, those who dismiss this as something that could never happen fail to recognize that a severe backlash of social conservitism seems to have taken hold in the US. A whole playbook (Project 2025) with plans to reclaim the country for "God" is now in action.
And don't forget that every Supreme Court selection from the last round swore that Roe V Wade was settled law during the process. We all know how that worked out.

[FranTastic444]

"Kamala is for they / them, President Trump is for you" was a very effective message and a disproportionately high amount of spend from Trump and supporting PAC's was on this subject.

a severe backlash of social conservitism seems to have taken hold in the US.

I'm not sure on this one - there are many factors at play. I think that Republicans made a big deal out of a few key talking points, amplifying them in so doing. A great parallel in the UK was the Brexit argument where until Farage et al made a great deal of fuss about European courts trumping UK sovereign rule, this wasn't something that was on the minds of a great deal of the UK population. I think that is certainly the case that the religious right now play a larger part in the Trump Republican party than in the pre Trump era and for people of this persuasion, abortion, gay / trans rights and who can marry, men being at the head of the family and women being homemakers etc. are going to be big, important things for them. Beyond that core, I think there are a lot of voters (on the left and on the right) who are much more Libertarian in view and would prefer government to not being involved in what should be personal decisions and choices. In summary, I think that small 'c' conservatism is currently more visible, but isn't necessarily something that is much more common than in the past. But I fully accept that I may be totally wrong on that one.

Project 2025 is of great concern to me. It will be interesting to see how much success they have over the next 4 years of pushing their agenda.

[crfriend]

Project 2025 is of great concern to me. It will be interesting to see how much success they have over the next 4 years of pushing their agenda.

The success or demise of "Project 2025" will depend on how it benefits the oligarchs. If it does not, then it will go precisely nowhere as those are the ones that control congress -- and congress, at last count, still enacted and enabled laws.

Societally, I suspect it's going to be one heck of a mess, and the economic decline will continue on its exponential downwards curve for "little people" (read, 99.999% of the population). I see no digging out of this in our lifetimes.

[mr seamstress]

And I'm suspicious about the text that attempts to remove the differentiation between sex and gender. I could see this leading to situations in which gender neutral uniforms and work dress codes are out of the window.

What goes out the window to be able file for government business loans as a trans. If this bill get pass it will harm all trans that has applied for government business loans. They be at risk being arrested for filing false applications over their biological sex they was born with. Then there is real ID issue. If a biological male has a real ID showing their sex as female and tries to board a plane may find themselves in trouble with federal law for having a false ID. To many people at risk being put in jail if this bill gets pass without creating new laws.

[moonshadow]

I think that is certainly the case that the religious right now play a larger part in the Trump Republican party than in the pre Trump era and for people of this persuasion, abortion, gay / trans rights and who can marry, men being at the head of the family and women being homemakers etc. are going to be big, important things for them. Beyond that core, I think there are a lot of voters (on the left and on the right) who are much more Libertarian in view and would prefer government to not being involved in what should be personal decisions and choices.

I'm just not sure that religion is going to play as big a part in the new government as I had originally thought, at least not on the national level. The southern red states will be a theocracy, but then again, they've always been somewhat of a theocracy.

Practically all of the west coast Republicans I have talked to have little use for religion. Their gripe seems to be mostly about the economy, taxes, the high cost of living, etc. While I can understand their angst with regards to taxes, "we the people" are to blame for the high cost of living. The president, nor congress, nor any state house sets the price for housing and groceries.

Anyway, I'm hoping that America is more Libertarian that I've given it credit for. I can accept that we'll never have healthcare in this country, I can accept that we'll always be an Oligarchy, I can accept my lot in life as a worker bee, hell, I can even accept that I might not ever be able to retire, but to dictate the clothes I wear... well, that just seems like a bridge too far.

Let the 1% have all of the assets and pay none of the taxes, let them rule and play their games... just leave me the hell alone... that's all I ask.

And that's my message for any nay-sayer, Oligarch or not.... the common bigot that takes an issue with my expressions...? Leave me alone... you walk away, I'll walk away. We don't have to be friends, just leave me alone. I'm not out to take over the world, warp your children's minds, fondle your daughter in a restroom, I just want to live my life in relative peace.

[Barleymower]

I agree with what you say. It is however somewhat idealistic.
The top 1% take everything and pay nothing. True. They don't just leave it there though do they? After they have taken nearly everything they have another go and take some more. They just keep taking. This leads to unrest. They, being powerful, divide and rule. Enemies are created all for the purpose of deflecting from their own greed and wrong doing.

Those who have the least power end up taking the blame. Those poor people end up thinking "what have I done?" While the top 1% order another juicy steak and plan their next holiday.

[crfriend]

The top 1% take everything and pay nothing. True. They don't just leave it there though do they? After they have taken nearly everything they have another go and take some more. They just keep taking. This leads to unrest.

Well, one of 'em did pay a few days ago in New York City.

I called "targeted hit" on the matter within seconds after seeing the surveillance video. Pity he wasn't facing the shooter and his coming demise. A little bit of fear goes a long way as we can see from what they're doing to us.

It'll be interesting to see if the NYPD ever gets to the bottom of it and finds out who ordered the thing -- and why. Also, is this possibly the beginning of a trend?

[moonshadow]

It'll be interesting to see if the NYPD ever gets to the bottom of it and finds out who ordered the thing -- and why. Also, is this possibly the beginning of a trend?

As if... it wouldn't do any good. Medical bills will just keep getting higher and higher. This country has never had, and will never have a healthCARE system. It just has an industry crafted to take people in their most desperate state and leave them bankrupt.

It is an absolute abomination.

No, the only thing that will change is the Oligarchs will just bring the hammer down and take your guns. See, they don't give a crap is there's a school shooting, but now that one of their own got hit... wait and see.

[Ray]

It’s something I always found…uncivilised…about the USA - the inability for anyone to have free and effective healthcare regardless of income. Access to free healthcare is, to me, one of the central tenets of a civilised society.

I really feel for those who cannot afford the insurance.

[moonshadow]

It’s something I always found…uncivilised…about the USA - the inability for anyone to have free and effective healthcare regardless of income. Access to free healthcare is, to me, one of the central tenets of a civilised society.

I really feel for those who cannot afford the insurance.

Oh that's not even half of it... if you have insurance, it's a crap shoot if your procedure will even be covered, and you have no way of knowing until after service is rendered and you're left with a hefty bill.

I refuse to go to the doctor unless it's life or death, and even then I'm weighing if I have a realistic chance of recovery.

But I take comfort in the fact that though I may never retire, and I have no Healthcare options to speak off, I sure am glad my government is staying on top of the Trans problem. Lord knows keeping those folks in the proper restroom is the most important matter facing this nation....

[MrSoapsud]

Just following the thread drift to healthcare, the Welsh singer/songwriter Martyn Joseph wrote a song called "Nye" about the founder of the NHS in Britain.

"For no society can call itself civilised
If the sick are denied through lack of means
And if you don’t believe me take a plane my friend
Go break your arm, see what it costs in New Orleans"

https://youtu.be/8IBmmXn1QwM?si=Y4XRTMNhfCw6MrzJ

[moonshadow]

Maybe Universal Healthcare isn't such a good idea for the U.S. after all. The federal government is just too unreliable, and I'd hate to think my healthcare decisions were in the hands of the president, and whatever mood he is in.

As for me, I just don't go, unless it's life or death. I went to a doctor over a year ago and wasn't all that impressed with it. It seemed like they were more interested in popping pills down my throat and generating additional medical expenses than on my actual well-being. If I could find some old timey country doctor somewhere I might consider it, but I don't think those exist anymore.

If any Washingtonians are reading this and know of such a practitioner, let me know. I'd be willing to travel a reasonable distance if need be. They need to accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.

In the meantime, I just don't go at all. I visit my dentist as needed and eye doctor, but other than that, I don't visit a doctor. If I get a cold that's bad enough I can visit an urgent care, if I have a major emergency (such as broken limb, appendix, or some other condition) I can go to the E.R. For chronic issues I just manage it myself at home, trying different things, doing my own research, etc.

The best part is, Trump can't take my estrogen... because I ain't on any! Whatever hormones are in my body my body produced naturally.