More than 12 million people have sexually transmitted diseases in America. Meanwhile, President Bush wants to get rid of condoms.
President Bush announced last fall that condoms are useless and people should remain abstinent until marriage.
Proponents of this abstinence-only program are under the false impression that eliminating condoms will lead to people having less sex.
That may work in an ideal world, but we live in the real world. All people are not monogamous. Some people sleep around and deal with the repercussions later.
Without condoms, there would be more unprotected sex. That would lead to the spread of disease, and the number of unwanted pregnancies would rise.
Bush began his crusade against condoms as Texas’ governor, though his efforts were completely in vain. Texas has continuously ranked fourth as the state with the highest AIDS rate. It is second in births among teens 15-17 years olds.
In Bush’s State of the Union Address Tuesday, he said he’s willing to spend over $15 billion in funding over the next five years to combat AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean. So, if he isn’t going to use condoms in that battle, what will he use? Billboards?
Telling people to stop using condoms and abstain from sex will not stop the spread of diseases, just as telling people not to drink and drive does not prevent people from driving while intoxicated.
Even members of Bush’s Cabinet, including Secretary of State Colin Powell, believe using condoms is the most effective way to prevent AIDS from spreading.
Condoms are not 100 percent effective, but they greatly reduce the risk of H.I.V. and other sexually transmitted diseases. The wise thing to do is protect yourself, if and when you choose to have sex. Don’t leave yourself open to harmful diseases.
Dominique Drake for The Famuan