On social issues too, Michigan is becoming more like Arkansas. A news item: “Tax Breaks for Fetuses But Not for Kids — Michigan lawmakers proposed an amendment to the state’s income tax code that would allow pregnant women to claim their 12-week or older fetuses as dependents. These same Republican legislators pushed to eliminate a tax credit that applies to actual children.”

In Arkansas, the extensive anti-abortion legislative package includes a bill by Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Bigelow, that would prohibit an abortion if the fetus has a heartbeat. A fetal heartbeat generally can be heard after six weeks; most abortions are performed later than that. The heartbeat is commonly detected with a vaginal probe about 9 inches long, inserted into the uterus. Reportedly, an amendment is on the way that would require the probe be inserted by a legislator. A male legislator. A male Republican legislator.

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Rapert’s in the running for the award, but the national Anti-Abortionist of the Year trophy may have to go to U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn. Although he campaigns as a “consistent supporter of pro-life values,” it’s been revealed that he also supported his ex-wife in her decisions to have two abortions, and that he urged an abortion on one of several patients he was sleeping with. He admits to error; he says God has forgiven him.

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