Are My Hands Clean?*

Sen. Clinton in the New York Times addresses the Department of Health and Human Services proposed new rule:

LAST month, the Bush administration launched the latest salvo in its eight-year campaign to undermine women’s rights and women’s health by placing ideology ahead of science: a proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that would govern family planning. It would require that any health care entity that receives federal financing — whether it’s a physician in private practice, a hospital or a state government — certify in writing that none of its employees are required to assist in any way with medical services they find objectionable.

[...]

Many circumstances unrelated to reproductive health could also fall under the umbrella of “other medical procedures.” Could physicians object to helping patients whose sexual orientation they find objectionable? Could a receptionist refuse to book an appointment for an H.I.V. test? What about an emergency room doctor who wishes to deny emergency contraception to a rape victim? Or a pharmacist who prefers not to refill a birth control prescription?

What bothers me most about this proposed rule is that it applies, as Sen. Clinton says, to an ideology and not equity. Look, everyone living in America, because of the interconnectedness of our society has their finger in some nasty little pie. It can't be helped. I work for a large multi-national company with, I would venture to guess, some nasty clients with nasty agendas. Anyone in a service business, as health care should be, is subject to assisting people they don't like or people they don't respect or people they downright despise. I know I do. Would the Bush Administration protect my conscience against helping a greedy unprincipled unreasonable mogul from suing some poor schlub with the temerity to question his business practices. I think not.

My example, by the way, is hypothetical. All of our clients are above-reproach, of course...and I'm keeping my job.

Past anyone in else in America's employment, and indeed living life, none of their hands are clean. How are your clothes made? Where is your food manufactured? Who owns the convenience store on the corner? Who is investing in your favorite restaurant? Is every stop along the way that gets you what you want free from everything that would challenge your conscience? Are every one of the people you service free of objectionable practices? Are you?

The point is that if an employee is working for a business that has ethics the employee does not believe in, such employee is certainly welcome to not work there. This mandate is inequitable governmental interference designed to bend my will to theirs.

Hmmm. Rather conservative sounding, methinks. Good lord. Quick! Someone convince me otherwise.

*From Sweet Honey In The Rock at Carnegie Hall.

Cross-posted at Attackerman.