Kansas Rep. Pete DeGraaf: Pregnancy From Rape? Totally Analogous To A Flat Tire

Kansas recently banned insurance companies from offering coverage for abortions unless the pregnancy risks the life of the mother.  This includes restricting women from getting abortions resulting from rape, unless they have already purchased a separate abortion-only insurance policy.

"Ugh, icky rapey stuff!  Only women should have to handle that crap."

Rep. Pete DeGraaf, one of the proponents of the new law, responded to critics of the policy by saying that women should bear the burden of preparedness in the eventuality of rape.  Rape, of course, being just like getting a flat tire.

"Rep. Pete DeGraaf, a Mulvane Republican who supports the bill, told her: 'We do need to plan ahead, don't we, in life?'

"Bollier asked him, 'And so women need to plan ahead for issues that they have no control over with pregnancy?'  [OAQ Note: Read "rape."]

"DeGraaf drew groans of protest from some House members when he responded, 'I have a spare tire on my car.'

"'I also have life insurance,' he added. 'I have a lot of things that I plan ahead for.'"

This is disgusting.  The conservative right's war on a woman's right to choose has entered a new and dangerous phase: never mind whether or not it is a woman's fault she got raped (which it never is, dear readers), but now we are going to force women to be prepared to pony up the cash for the consequences of that rape.  I can't describe how deeply offensive and nauseating this is.

[The McPherson Sentinel]

 UPDATE:  Super-Reader Sarah, with a few quick clicks, has tracked down Rep. DeGraaf's contact information.  You know.  In case you want to tell ol' Petey what a disgusting misogynist he is.

Contact
Capitol Office

Room: 459-W
Seat: 39
Phone: 785-296-7693
Email:pete.degraaf@house.ks.gov
Home Information

1545 East 119th
Mulvane, Kansas 67110
Phone: 316-777-0715
Email:petedegraaf@att.net