Conservatives Have Swung So Far Right, They're Left

On February 16, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children. Several treatment facilities across the state, including the University of Alabama's large-scale program, were paused, and patients currently undergoing treatment were left with many unanswered questions and concerns for their health. 

This ruling left politicians, medical professionals, and anyone hoping to have children everywhere puzzled, as it directly opposes the previous standing that "personhood status" begins at fertilization. 

Republicans seem to be scratching their heads, too. The Life at Conception Act, introduced by Alexander Mooney in January 2023, with 125 sponsors in the House of Representatives, has no exceptions. 

"This bill declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual comes into being," according to congress.gov. 

Republicans who support the Life at Conception Bill are also openly supporting the new Alabama ruling, directly opposing the idea that personhood status begins at conception. 

A wave of right-wing legislature has been sweeping the country over the past few months– from Florida's Parental Rights Act to Texas' anti-abortion bills, right-wing politicians are taking the upper hand. 

What's nearly ironic about all of these situations, however, is that Republicans have begun to swing so far right they are going left– and are infringing on their own party's values. 

A Republican believes in less government involvement, less government control, and more freedom for the people to choose how they spend their money, what education they receive, and what values they believe, among many other things. 

So why are these right-wing politicians passing bills that are essentially about controlling your choices? 

Gov. Ron Desantis, for example, has consistently boasted about passing the Parental Right to Education Act, which has included several phases. More commonly known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill by critics, the Parents Rights in Education Act started by prohibiting the conversation of gender identity, sex, or sexual orientation in the classroom until the third grade. The bill was later expanded to be enforced in grades K-12. In turn, this caused many to question whether or not the topics of sociology and psychology could be taught in schools due to the nature of those conversations. 

The college board made an announcement back in August stating that AP Psychology should not be taught in Florida classrooms and was "effectively banned" due to the state's new legislature.  

Desantis has also banned gender studies in all Florida public schools and universities and revoked diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the state. 

While all this might have been created to give parents more control over their child's education, it is simply just taking away choices and new learning opportunities for the students–students who are in high school and college and fully capable of making their own learning choices. They are giving fewer options and creating more control over what Florida students can and can not learn. 

The new wave of anti-abortion legislation taking over states like Texas and Alabama seems to be more about controlling women and hospitals than nurturing family values. Texas officially banned abortions in the state back in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade. Certain counties in Texas, like Lubbock, have even gone as far as to make it illegal to transport a person seeking an abortion on any of their roads or highways. 

In an interview aired on MSNBC, Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville said, "We need to have more kids; We need to have an opportunity to do that," immediately after he had voted in favor of the ruling that frozen embryos are children. 

His vote is directly affecting those trying to have a family who cannot conceive by natural means, pausing clinics and treatments across the state and setting a precedent for other states to do the same. 

One thing rings true across each of these different situations: conservatives are acting hypocritical and out of line with their party's values. We must hold politicians accountable for their choices, and we must not give up the fight for our freedom.

Strike Out, 

Haley Dockendorff 

Boca Raton 

Haley Dockendorff is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. Loud and proud, this Virgo loves writing just about anything that will cause a bit of commotion. If you can’t find her, she’s probably somewhere on a beach with a camera in hand. You can reach her at haleydockendorff143@gmail.com