Steyn on Fluke, America

Mark Steyn, as usual, is must-read material:

Nor is the core issue that, whatever the merits of government contraception, America is the Brokest Nation in History — although the Fluke story is a useful reminder that the distinction between fiscal and social conservatism is generally false. . . . When even casual sex requires a state welfare program, you’re pretty much done for.

8% of Americans Agree Contraception Is Wrong

Right around the same time that the Reformed Pastor and I were wondering whether there were any polling data about contraceptives as such (that is, what share of the population thinks contraception itself is immoral, not just the HHS mandate or any other current particular), Pew was releasing a report about exactly that, as Pew staff helpfully pointed out to me.

Pew estimates that 8% of the general population believe that it’s wrong to use contraceptives:  

Obama Administration Takes On Catholic Church, Rest of Us

Last August, the Department of Health and Human Services announced new regulations requiring all “new health insurance plans” to provide contraceptives (among other things—“well-woman visits”?) “without charging a co-payment, co-insurance or a deductible.”  A narrow religious exemption was made only for such employer as

(1) Has the inculcation of religious values as its purpose;
(2) primarily employs persons who share its religious tenets;
[and]
(3) primarily serves persons who share its religious tenets . . . .

Contraceptives

Apparently the Pill makes men and women like each other less.  Also, apparently, condoms make women more depressed.

Sometimes I wonder whether the Catholic Church hasn’t been right about contraceptives all along.

Incidentally, political correctness makes it difficult even to talk about such questions.  The Wall Street Journal writer, at that first link, feels compelled to assure readers,