Congratulations Anti-vaxers. Measles spreading in California

[N35t0r]

I don't think HC made any claims as to there being no right for children's guardians to refuse treatment, just that there's not the same liberty as when deciding for themselves (such as when refusing treatment for a child could be considered neglect).

[Sava]

Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) became the latest Republican on Tuesday to speak out against vaccine mandates, saying: "We should not have an oppressive state telling us what to do."

"I want that to be my choice as a parent," Duffy, a father of seven, said said during an appearance on MSNBC's "The Rundown With José Díaz-Balart." "I know my kids best. I know what morals and values are right for my children. I think we should not have an oppressive state telling us what to do."

Duffy's remarks came as an outbreak of measles — a potentially fatal disease thought to be eradicated from the U.S. just 15 years ago thanks to safe and effective vaccination — had sickened more than 100 Americans. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) came under heavy criticism Monday for appearing to align themselves with the anti-vaccine movement.

The Wisconsin congressman explicitly defended vaccine critics, saying: "I think a lot of parents who are smart, well-read — they're the ones who are choosing not to vaccinate. And oftentimes, those who may not be as well-read — they are vaccinating. So to say you just have a bunch of crackpots who are choosing not to do this to their children, I just don't think that's actually true."

Duffy, a former attorney, said that he prefers to "pick and choose" which vaccines his children receive.

"I vaccinate my kids on most things, but then there are some things where I'm like, 'This may not work for me and my values and my family,'" he said.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/sean-duffy-vaccine-oppressive-state

It keeps getting better and better.

[N35t0r]

Yeah, why does the oppressive state say I can't rape my kids and then sell them to slavery? I know what morals and values are right for them!

[Garth Vader]

Dude, Republicans are not any more anti vaccination than democrats. Actually they are probably less so. The movement is way more popular among the hippie liberal environmentalist types, as you just pointed out. GOP people are gonna be lining up behind him to show how bipartisan and pro science they are.

At what point will you reconsider this statement?

[Lorizael]

So, according to Pew, Republicans have become slightly less pro mandatory vaccination in the last 5 years, whereas Democrats have become slightly more pro mandatory vaccination.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/02/02/young-adults-more-likely-to-say-vaccinating-kids-should-be-a-parental-choice/

There are slight differences in views about vaccines along political lines. A majority of Democrats (76%), Republicans (65%) and independents (65%) say that vaccines should be required. But Republicans and independents are somewhat more inclined than are Democrats to say that parents should be able to decide. In 2009, there was no difference in views on vaccinations along party lines.

[regexcellent]

The people who actually aren't vaccinating their kids are mostly liberals, the new agey weirdo types that buy homeopathic remedies and go to the chiropractor.

Thinking the government shouldn't force people to get them is separate from that.

[Sava]

Thinking the government shouldn't force people to get them is separate from that.

Yes. But that's not the narrative.

[DaShi]

So basically, the republicans are pandering to a group that still likely won't vote for them just because they are stupid.

[regexcellent]

I don't think they're pandering, I think it's a genuinely held belief that it's not the government's role to tell parents what to do with their kids.

Personally I think that you should be required to immunize your children but I can see where they're coming from.

[DaShi]

They are obviously pandering.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Yes, they are in control of both houses now, and will win the next presidency. USA!

[DaShi]

Yes, they are in control of both houses now, and will win the next presidency. USA!

Your anti-Americanism makes me sick! After all we did for whatever country that flag is for.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

You don't like freedom and democracy?

[Dr Strangelove]

There is a rare autoimmune encephalopathy related to the MMR vaccine. The son of one of my professors was an unfortunate victim. The illness left him in a near vegetative state and he had seizures which were not well controlled by medications. After 5 years he died. Needles to say we never discussed the desirability of vaccination in front of this professor. The incidence of this reaction is somewhere around one in one million though.

[Sava]