Egghead: Women Should Extrude New Workers to Grow Economy

Wisconsin State Representative Scott Allen makes the Wall of Shame this week for two guilty counts:

1. Worrying that population decline is a problem (shrinking labor force) rather than celebrating population contraction toward a sustainable level.
2. Suggesting that women should incubate more workers in order to boost economic growth.

Count one isn’t all that surprising, because politicians are as hooked on growth as anyone. But many were shocked at count 2. Scott Allen committed this felony on the state house floor during debate over a bill to prevent health insurance plans for Wisconsin state employees from covering abortions, except in the cases of rape, incest, or to save the mother’s life.

I’m pretty sure no one in the “pro-life” anti-abortion movement is there out of concern over population decline or a shrinking labor force. Except perhaps Scott Allen. Here’s what the egghead said:

“Labor force shortages are tied to population declines. Labor force shortages are a limiting factor in economic growth…. And limited economic growth poses a problem when government tries to pay for public services and infrastructure. In spite of this Mr. Speaker, ironically, the democrats continue their effort to support the abortion industry.”

You can read about it and even watch the video at:

Wisconsin GOP Lawmaker Says Women Should be Forced to Give Birth to Grow the Labor Force

The bill passed the house and next goes to the senate. While it’s disappointing to see old GOP men telling women what to do with their bodies, here’s the deal:

1. Population decline isn’t being experienced in Wisconsin at present, but when it happens it should be celebrated, because like the world, the U.S. is overpopulated. We need to get back down to a sustainable level.
2. Economic growth cannot continue for long on a finite planet. It’s not a realistic goal, and its pursuit damages our life-supporting ecosystems. We don’t need to keep the economy growing.
3. Women are people, not incubators. A child should be conceived and born out of love, not out of a need for units of production.

Shame, but thanks also, to Scott Allen for making a ridiculous statement, giving me this opportunity to elucidate.