The platform

Parties have platforms, and platforms have planks. So do decks and loading docks, for that matter, but today we're going to talk about parties. Specifically ours.

Members of the West Virginia Federation of Democratic Women support the West Virginia Democratic Party platform. We are bound to through our bylaws and, frankly, we wouldn't be Democrats if we thought their (and by "their" we mean Republicans') ideas would result in a better life for all, without regard to race, creed, color or the size of your bank account.

One plank of the platform that is especially near and dear to us is F-8: Women's Health. We are women, after all, and we like to think that our health is important. (Interestingly, there is no plank for Men's Health, but one has been designated for "Health." In general.)

Here's what we Democrats agreed to at our last party convention, in 2012:

That last bullet point is important enough that it bears repeating:

• all health decisions, including reproductive health, are made privately without interference by the government, insurance companies, or employers.

HB 2568, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is up for its third reading before the full House of Delegates today. Otherwise known as the abortion bill, some iteration of it appears perennially in the legislature and – as written – is unconstitutional. Last year's version passed through both chambers and was vetoed by the Governor. Because Democrats held a majority in both chambers in 2014, the veto was upheld.

Screeeeeech. Wait a minute. The Democratic party platform says women's reproductive health decisions are made without government interference. Says so. Right there in blue and white. If Democrats held a majority last year, in both chambers, then at least some Democrats must have voted FOR it. Begging the question: How did the bill ever make it to the Governor's desk?

Well, last year if you'll recall – and, really, how could you forget? – we held elections. And while the Democratic platform gives women the benefit of the doubt about their ability to take care of their bodies, their selves, privately and without interference, Democratic voters in West Virginia tend to disagree. Democratic lawmakers who support 20-week abortion bans, no matter what state, want to be re-elected.

We Democrats think having a "D" after your name is better than any other letter, especially if you represent us. We make phone calls and fire off angry e-mails, but in the end, for the most part, we forgive and forget.

But we can also be somewhat passive-aggressive. Staying home on Election Day is the ultimate act of passive-aggression and in 2014 it came back to bite us.

HB 2568 will be read today and voted on soon, and it will pass. It will pass with no exceptions for rape or incest. Which, one would hope, would not be a major issue. Most pregnancies resulting from rape or incest are terminated long before the 20-week threshold.

So why would a woman suddenly, after FIVE MONTHS, choose to terminate? The fact is, they don't, unless there is something horribly, dreadfully wrong with the fetus. Or the mother. So in those few cases – fewer than a dozen each year here in West Virginia – the law doesn't impede those women from making the most difficult and painful decision of their lives, right?

Well … wrong. A floor amendment making an exception for the health of the mother was voted down yesterday.

In the end, it doesn't matter what we of the Democratic Party or we of the WVFDW or we of the female gender wish or think or believe. In the end, a minority of registered West Virginia voters elected a majority of Republican legislators. And in the end, it's not just a handful of pregnant West Virginia women who will have to figure out a way to risk their lives to save their lives.

Because we stayed home last November, all West Virginians are going to feel the pinch of gut-and-cut politics in Charleston.

In the end.

We are women with a mission

We'd like to think the Federation, throughout its 50-year history, has always been a political force, but that wouldn't be true. For many, many years, we were the tea-and-cookie branch for most of the county executive committees. When the executive committee hosted a candidate forum, held a picnic, organized a rally … well, they could always count on the local women's group to provide refreshments.

Frankly, that turned a lot of women off, but we've seen a distinct and welcome move in a more active direction over the past few years.

And, yes, we still bring refreshments.

The WV Federation of Democratic Women has always encouraged its members to run for office. While the exact number isn't known, it's safe to say most of the women serving as elected officials on their county and the state executive committees also are members of the Federation.

Our mission is to bring Democratic women of West Virginia together, as a unified force, to effect change and support Democratic principles. We support women and women's issues, we stand for workers, families, students, minorities, truth, justice, and the American Way!

Okay, we got a little carried away there. We're not Superman … but together we are Super Women.

This week, our mission is to make Delegate Brian Kurcaba (R-51) aware that his comments about rape during a hearing last week are not left in that room. He's embarrassed West Virginia and made national news with his remark that while rape is "awful," the result of a rape is beautiful.

We get it. Yes, babies are beautiful. But his callous, offhand dismissal of the brutal crime of rape leaves many women cold.

To that end, the Federation is calling for his resignation and has created a petition which we hope you'll take time to sign. If you leave a message with your signature, Mr. Kurcaba and Speaker Tim Armstead will receive an e-mail. Please … flood their offices with your thoughts. Help us make sure the women of WV-51 are fairly represented. Thanks.

A big blue welcome

The West Virginia Federation of Democratic Women maintains a lively social media presence on Twitter and Facebook, reposts items to Google+, has a website, and is launching – this month – a subscription-based newsletter.

What we haven't done, prior to now, is blog.

There are some who say blogging is on its way out, and that may be, but we're hoping it's one more tool to keep you – our members, followers and supporters of All Things Democratic – informed and in the loop of West Virginia Democratic events and issues.

The internet has made this great big world a much smaller place, one in which we can learn about other cultures, share ideas, promote causes, ask for help and offer assistance. 

It's certainly no big secret that Democrats across the country suffered big hits in the off-year election. We in West Virginia take small solace in knowing we're not alone. Our House of Delegates flipped from blue to red and, shortly after the election results were announced, our State Senate did, too, when He Who Shall Not Be Named changed his allegiance from D to R.

So.

We may be down, but we're certainly not out. We invite your comments, we welcome your ideas, we'd love to have you participate. If you think you have something to say that will add to this big blue conversation, we invite you to submit it by emailing it to us. We won't accept everything you send us, but we will thoughtfully consider your submissions.

In the meantime … we have a lot to say. Stay tuned.

Members of the Jackson County Democratic Women's Club
at the 2014 Annual Meeting.