This isn't about (just) Planned Parenthood

…though that's how the traditional media frames the budget/shutdown debate. (NPR correctly referred to the rider's provisions as "blocking women's health services", though.)

It's about a ridiculously tiny amount of the budget going to Women's Health Care Centers (not just Planned Parenthood.) It's not about abortion, because that's already federally banned from using any government money. Regardless, PP spends 97% of its money on all things not related to abortion; things like cancer screenings and contraception and education (which the federal government does not provide.) These things prevent illness, death, and countless abortions.

So apparently, PP and all the other Women's Health Care Services are the targets of Republicans (particularly the Tea Party hardliners) because they prevent illness, death, and unnecessary abortions.

The more radical left is referring to it as the Republicans' "War on Women". It's becoming harder and harder to dismiss that as hyperbole.