Based on common sense family values, it is morally reprehensible to re-prioritize an infant, most especially one with special-needs, in order to selfishly pursue the office of Vice President of the United States. Any woman who has tried to juggle a high-powered job while raising even a healthy baby, knows the pitfalls and tradeoffs. Now, imagine if your job were to protect the world from global terrorism, financial ruin and nuclear proliferation. Haven’t we all agreed that the myth of the Super Woman is a relic of the 1990’s? Haven’t we moved on to something a little more meaningful and sustainable for all parties involved?
Look, I'm a feminist, and as a feminist, I take great pride in being both a woman and a mother. As such I feel no shame in acknowledging that my life may be on a slightly different track from your typical high-powered male CEO. As feminists, we sometimes postpone rewards, make difficult career choices and even selfless sacrifices, not because we’re weak but because we’re wise. Feminism is not about "being like a man;" rather it’s about being an authentic full-fledged multi-dimensional woman defined by a woman’s own remarkable sense and sensibilities.
In the end, fulfilling the promise that is "woman" is a creative lifelong challenge that, if done with fortitude and grace, can lead to fulfillment across multiple paths. Women, who are patient, ambitious and persistent, often get to do it all, and do so on their own terms. . . . just not all at the same time. Embracing the principle of balance gives us a gender edge. We are multi-taskers both on a daily basis and across a lifetime of days. There is time for being a CEO, and time for being a mom of infant children, especially if they have extraordinary needs. Perhaps these times can overlap on some successful resumes, but when you are applying to be the CEO in charge of America’s nuclear armaments, ask any recruitment officer, it just doesn’t fly.
The great irony is that Sarah Palin is a socially conservative borne-again Christian who takes the Bible as literal truth. For years we have been told by the sanctity-of-marriage experts that a baby is god’s most precious gift deserving of a fully-attentive, devoted and hands-on "mom and pop" team. Please help me to understand what has changed in the last five minutes. For all Christian conservatives who are leaping for holy joy around her appointment, please tell me how you do so in good conscience.
According to James Dobson himself, Christian family expert par none: "There is no way to overstate the importance of what is called "infant bonding" between mother and child of either sex. The quality of that relationship will have lifelong implications and can even determine life or death." A quick survey of the many Christian parenting websites available on the web, universally confirms that the role of the mother is primary and absolute when it comes to her infant child.
And, celebrating Palin’s race to office seems incredibly hypocritical on other fronts as well. For instance, for social conservatives to suddenly condone Palin’s lack of commitment to her own newborn child while continuing to demand a "he and a she" relationship as the only acceptable form of parenting for all others makes no sense. The obvious question is why is Palin being given such a see-no-evil pass by these "right-to-birthers" . . . could it be that the value of a baby’s life starts at the moment of conception and ends upon delivery?
Sure Trig will have well-paid nannies and loving daddy-care. And if Palin weren’t one heartbeat away from the most stressful and consequential job in the world, a job that by definition doesn’t allow for flex-hours, on-demand time off or sick days, a juggling act might fill the gap.
But in Palin’s case, she is choosing to put at risk either: the emotional well-being, not to mention physical health (according to Dobson), of her infant son, or the safety, security and future of the country to which she will swear on her Christian bible, an oath of allegiance.
Can’t we all agree that if she wins the privilege and responsibility of coming within a finger’s-press of our nuclear arsenal, she can’t be on-call when Trig needs a mommy’s hug. And, selfishly, I have to say, if she ends up a hair’s breadth away from having to decide whether or not my own son is sent off to war . . . . she had better not be taking her baby's temperature when the phone rings at 3:00am. Sorry Vice President hopeful Palin, you can’t have it all ways, at least not all at once. In just eight years, even four years, Trig will be old enough to handle the separation. And in those eight years you can hone your briefcase full of presidential skills to rise to anyone’s "ready-to-lead" standards. It’s a win, win all around, and after all, remember as written in 1 Timothy 6:11 -- patience is a virtue.