If you were on social media recently, especially if you're a resident of Ohio, you've likely heard about legislation from state representatives in the Buckeye State. Last Thursday, news came out that state Reps. Anita Somani (D-OH 8) and Tristan Rader (D-OH 13) have proposed legislation known as "The Conception Begins at Erection Act." Such a farce quickly became a trending topic over X, with the two lawmakers speaking with a local ABC News outlet, no doubt looking to make a name for themselves and the pro-abortion cause.
Such a bill, which had not yet actually been introduced but is being worked on, would fine men who ejaculate without the intent to conceive a baby. Such exceptions include members of the LGBTQ community, sperm donations, and masturbation. The fines could be up to $10,000, with $1,000 for the first offense, $5,000 for the second offense, and $10,000 for any further offenses.
Nobody has ever claimed that "conception begins at erection." Rather, when a child is conceived, upon the sperm fertilizing an egg, a new being with his or her own set of DNA, who has never existed before and will never exist again, has been created and is worthy of protection. It's even more offensive that Somani is described as "an OBGYN from Dublin," as she should absolutely know better when it comes to engaging in biological illiteracy.
The abortion issue absolutely comes into play here, as during the local news clip, Rader pointed out that "the whole entire point of this bill is to call out the hypocrisy of particularly the state legislature when they bring forward bills to regulate women's bodies."
If one wants to talk about "hypocrisy," such a bill is wholly unnecessary in the pro-abortion state of Ohio.
Yes, this is a red state, with a Republican governor as well as a Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Senate. We also just elected Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno last November, who ousted vulnerable Democratic incumbent, Sen. Sherrod Brown. But, like so many other states, even and including red ones, Ohio voters were duped by a deceptive and purposefully vague ballot initiative that passed in 2023. Those on the pro-abortion side, especially from outside of Ohio, poured tons of cash into the initiative, and now women and minor girls can have an abortion for any reason at any point in pregnancy. We may elect Republicans at the state and national level, but on abortion we're just like California and New York.
Somani referenced women's so-called "rights" being determined by where they live, adding in some of that nonsense about men's "rights" we've heard from Democrats before. "Men have the same rights no matter where they go in the country, women have rights based on where they live," she claimed.
Be that as it may, regardless as to if one considers the ability to abort one's child a "right," women and minor girls throughout the entire state of Ohio already have that "right."
The clip also featured remarks from Austin Beigel of End Abortion Ohio, who fittingly pointed out that such a bill "misses the most basic biological facts and leans into middle school humor." The anchor also mentioned him saying that "it's disrespectful to the pro-life community and a waste of state resources." Beigel also pointed out how this would delay other bills being considered. Forget about being pro-life, though! Such waste should be offensive to every single Ohio voter and taxpayer.
It's not merely pro-lifers who find this bill to be a shameful waste. ABC 6 asked readers, "What are your thoughts about talk of possible legislation that would make it illegal for men to have sex without trying to create a child?" There's still 9 days left before the poll expires, but so far those participating largely say it's a "waste of time" as opposed to a "good idea," by 73-27 percent as of Saturday night.
Perhaps even more offensive that an OBGYN would put such biological illiteracy out there in the open, is how she acknowledges the "waste" this is considered, though in the most derogatory way. "This may be considered a waste of money by some people," Somani bent over backwards to stress, adding, "but we have had far bigger, uh, use of--misuse of taxpayer money in bills that have been proposed and passed." The state representative cited no such examples despite making such a laughable claim.
Adding further to the waste of time and resources involved is how Rader even acknowledges it isn't expected to pass, which he says is "certainly okay," since that's not the point of the bill, though that should be with every bill that state legislators take up time and resources to put forward. "Again, the whole point of this bill wasn't to get it passed, the whole point of this bill was to call out the hypocrisy," he said.
Shamefully and shockingly, the nearly 2 minute news clip never mentions the 2023 ballot initiative, nor does the write-up that includes the poll.
I was hesitant to even speak out about such a matter on social media, let alone devote an entire column to it. Somani and Rader are no doubt engaging in performative tricks--just as Democrats have been doing at the national level. Currently it's to do with speaking out against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk daring to get to the bottom of government waste, though Democrats have pulled out all kinds of crazy stops and biological illiteracy when it comes to the abortion issue as well.
However, it's important to call out such wasteful and immature behavior, and by those who are privileged enough to be elected to serve in the state legislature. They work for Ohioans, and we ought to demand better. Especially if you are an Ohio voter and taxpayer, fill out the contact form for Reps. Somani and Rader. Make sure to do so respectfully, but also make your voices heard on how you feel about resources being wasted in such a flagrant way. Anyone can fill out such a poll for ABC 6.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member