Despite almost universal opposition, Governor Rick Perry refused to back down from his effort to play doctor with every little girl in Texas yesterday.

Gov. Rick Perry stood firm Monday against a political firestorm generated by his order that sixth-grade girls be inoculated against a sexually transmitted virus linked to cervical cancer.

Social conservatives from Texas to Washington called on Perry to reverse his order making Texas the first state to require the vaccine, saying the mandate makes sex seem permissible and that parents should be the ones to decide whether to immunize their daughters. And several Texas lawmakers expressed outrage at Perry for circumventing the legislative process.

"This needs closer examination. How much will it cost the state?" asked Sen. Jane Nelson, chairwoman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, at a press conference. "Most importantly, as a mother of four daughters, I want to make sure our daughters' health is protected and parental rights are preserved."

Nelson, R-Lewisville, asked Perry to reverse his order and said she also would ask the attorney general whether the Legislature has any recourse if he doesn't.

Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, said he would file legislation to reverse Perry's order. There also is the question of what happens to several bills already filed to make the human papilloma virus shots mandatory for school enrollment.

Interestingly enough, these are Perry's ALLIES opposing him -- based upon his usurpation of the proper function of the sate legislature. But Perry will not acknowledge that criticism, instead attacking a strawman argument about teen sexuality.

"Providing the HPV vaccine doesn't promote sexual promiscuity any more than providing the Hepatitis B vaccine promotes drug use," the governor said. "If the medical community developed a vaccine for lung cancer, would the same critics oppose it claiming it would encourage smoking?"

But as I pointed out, that isn't the argument that the opponents are making. Rather than confront the real issue of the proper role of government, the separation of powers, and the lack of a nexus between public education and HPV transmission, Perry wants to take the argument of a small group with an absurd position and present it as the mainstream position. It is an incredibly dishonest tactic, and insults every Texan.

All the Merck commercials tell women to talk to their doctors to determine if Gardasil is right for them. None of the advertising material suggest consultation with the governor or other elected officials. That is as it should be -- and the most fundamental reason for opposing making this vaccine mandatory.

PREVIOUS POSTS ON THIS TOPIC:
1) Perry Engages In Dictatorial Tactic -- Issues Gardasil Executive Order
2) An Open Letter To Governor Rick Perry

Posted by: Greg at 11:32 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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