The President's Own Words

What is President Obama's surface-level reasoning for continuing the HHS mandate push? Watch the video.

VIDEO

Transcript, with commentary:

PRESIDENT OBAMA: 

It is absolutely true that religious liberty is critical. I mean, that is what our country is founded on (... uh huh....). That’s the reason why we exempted churches, we exempted religious institutions. [Except....] But we did say that 1) big Catholic hospitals or universities, who 2) employ a lot of non-Catholics and who 3) receive a lot of federal money, that for them to be in a position (that is, a moral position) to say to a woman who works there, “you can’t get that [contraception, sterilization, abortion] from your insurance company”—even though the institution isn’t paying for it (but they would)—that that crosses the line (which Obama himself has drawn) where, that woman, she’s suddenly is going to have to bear the burden and the cost of that. And that’s not fair. ("... that's not fair." What are we, in the second grade?).

So, we tried to strike a balance (note: he is about to change the meaning of this word). Obviously, there’s going to be some disagreements. But, ultimately, I think our goal here is not to in any way encroach on the Catholic Church or any other religious institution (But we will take away your moral voice). It is to balance their interests (Wait... a... minute! He, the President, is going to balance the Catholic Church's interests? And that's not encroachment, how....?) with the interests of women so that they [women] can control  their own health care choices. (Because, apparently, the Church is not interested in women or women's health). 

I mean (because my above logic is flawed and unconvincing, let's try once more), these are concrete issues where it might cost women $500 (bs)… $700 (bs)… $1000 (bs). I mean, these are significant burdens (psst... we have a $16 trillion debt) and they shouldn’t be having to bear that burden if they don’t share that same faith. 

(Let's take that logic for a spin: mothers: if you see a child screaming bloody murder because he can't have the candy bar in the grocery store check-out line, you should just buy that kid a candy bar. We don't care if you and the child don't share the same moral outlook. Give him the candy!!!! It's not fair that he doesn't have the candy!!!!! And if you don't buy it, then you are a horrible mother who doesn't care about kids).


UPDATE: if you're looking for a response to the objection that since the Church receives federal money, She should capitulate to the President's demands, see this post here.