After the CNN/Tea Party debate in Florida, Wolf Blitzer interviewed Michele Bachmann one-on-one, and asked her specifically about the HPV vaccination issue that became one of the main topics during the debate. One statement Congresswoman Bachmann made in her response was:
A little girl doesn’t get a do-over once she gets the vaccination.
While this statement is true, there is also the opposite argument that can be made.
If a little girl does not get the vaccination, and contacts the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), there is no do-over either.
I am in no way advocating the government mandate of the vaccine, and believe that Governor Perry made the right decision when he signed into law a bill that would undo his executive order. However, this is an issue that is very close to home for me, and I can honestly say I understand why Governor Perry made the decision he made.
Yes, I know there are those who believe as Michele Bachmann misrepresented, when she implied that Governor Perry’s decision was politically motivated due to the fact that the maker of the vaccine was a donor of Perry’s. Governor Perry responded by saying:
“I raise about $30 million, and if you’re saying that I can be bought for $5,000, I’m offended.”
Michele Bachmann responded with:
“I’m offended for all the little girls and the parents that didn’t have a choice. That’s what I’m offended for.”
Well, Congresswoman Bachmann, the fact of the matter is you are wrong! Even when the mandate was in effect, there was always the option to opt-out! If the parents did not choose to inform themselves on their rights, that is their fault! Parents always had a choice to opt-out of the mandate!
While Governor Perry was indeed wrong by making this a law by executive order, it is the parents’ responsibility to inform themselves, not the government!
Whether or not Governor Perry’s decision was politically motivated is not the issue. Personal responsibility is the issue. It is the responsibility of the parent to inform themselves. It is because of the fact that so many parents have allowed the government to make these kind of decisions that we are in the situation we are in now.
Governor Perry has stated emphatically that if he had it to do over again, he would not make the same decision. You can doubt his sincerity and original motivation if you like. The fact of the matter is this: HPV is a very real disease that effects a large portion of the population.
It all comes down to this:
No, the answer is not government mandated vaccinations for sexually transmitted diseases! In fact, there are many who believe that some of the current government mandated vaccinations are harmful. These children- girls and boys alike- do not get a do-over! We do not know the harm we are doing to our children with theses vaccinations!
The answer is to teach our children that all choices have consequences. We have to stop making excuses for why things happen and blaming others. Sex has consequences- one of the possible consequences is contacting a sexually transmitted disease. Another possible consequence is an unplanned pregnancy- which will lead to more choices, since we have allowed the legal murder of innocent life if is too much of an inconvenience.
As one who knows the personal side of dealing with HPV, it is not an easy decision. Now that the vaccination is not mandated, it is still an inner struggle when you have faced this disease head on and know the fears personally. With two daughters that are just a few years from the age of 12, knowing the world we live in, knowing the struggle with teaching choices and consequences in a home where it is the priority, it still is not an easy decision. If you decide to give your daughter the vaccination, there are risks. If you decide not to give your daughter the vaccination, there are risks. It all comes down to this:
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