Something that serves to guide or direct the solution to a problem or mystery is a clue, and they are often missed by the unobservant. In last month’s election, voters sent several clues to Republicans that their extremism on myriad issues was unacceptable, and yet they seem oblivious to the will of the people as is evident in the fiscal cliff negotiations over raising taxes on the rich. There is little doubt the election was a referendum on tax policy, but it was also a rejection of Republican extremism on women’s reproductive rights that began in earnest after the 2010 midterm elections, and in states with Republican majorities, there is still a crusade to restrict choice.

Any reasonable human being would have thought the vicious war on women culminating with comments from religious candidates about “legitimate” rape that resulted in repercussions at the polls would have sent a strong message to Republicans, but apparently, state-level Republicans are continuing the war on women unabated and undeterred. Women’s overwhelming support for President Obama was a rejection of GOP anti-choice misogyny, and exit polls revealed abortion rights was an important women’s issue, but some GOP-controlled states are using lame duck sessions to finish what they started in 2011.

One of the worst anti-choice offenders, Paul Ryan, lost his bid to be vice-president, but he earned a return trip to Washington to carry on what he and failed senatorial candidate Todd Akin began with their vile Sanctity of Human Life Act that effectively bans contraception. Even though Wisconsin endorsed President Obama’s re-election, the state’s Republican majority, in conjunction with Wisconsin Right to Life, seeks to require women considering abortion to view an ultrasound of the fetus, and prohibit state employees from using their state healthcare plans to access abortions. Wisconsin is also attempting to ban abortion based on dubious claims a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks.