Look over there!

Well, a few months ago, folks down there in the US were talking about things.  They were talking about the environment, about the economy, about health care.  They were talking about education and other social necessities.  In such a trying time, such things do need to be discussed.  Super.  But what are they talking about now?

Well, now, they're talking about abortion, access to birth control, and rolling back women's rights.  These are hot button issues.  People either feel one way or t'other on reproductive choice and they feel very strongly about it.  They will fight.  They will get involved.  Heck, it's not even my country and I feel involved.

I swear it's almost like it's being done on purpose.  Don't look at the mess the environment's in or your unneccessary reliance on fossil fuels.  Don't look at the economy.  Look over there!  See?

I know I'm being cynical and I know it's not a big conspiracy.  But it's so convenient.  And it draws voter attention away from issues like whether corporations should be considered people, and whether taxation is fair, and whether climate change is an issue that needs addressing.

Everybody's in on it, too.  Heck, if I lived there I would be in on it in a big way.  As laws start passing that limit a woman's right to choose (women of childbearing age have no rights) or make her right to choose uncomfortable or more difficult, folks who believe in women's reproductive rights are fighting.  They have to.  It's a drop-everything-and-fight situtation.  It can't be ignored.  And, because we know that society is deeply divided on these issues, a lot of folks will wade into the fray.  A lot of folks will be focused only on this issue.

But no one will address big oil.  Or the deficiencies in the education system.  Or climate issues.  Or bailouts.  Or how to avoid the financial meltdown in the future.  Or....

That's because we're all too busy looking over there.