I hear the echos of his past in John McCain's words
The latest version of Senator McCain's stump speech vilifies 'liberal feminists'. Women's health issues are dismissed with contempt during a discussion on abortion at the third presidential debate. His senatorial voting records display a long history of voting against birth control, sex education, and equal pay.
Given the Senator's reputed history as a self-aggrandizing womanizer, You'd think he'd have a better appreciation of the contributions of the women in his life. Unfortunately, he seems to regard himself as entitled to their sacrifices and efforts, as demonstrated by his callous treatment of his first wife and the mother of his three children.
His condescending pick of Sarah Palin for his trophy VP makes one wonder if she winked at him during her interview and gave him the same reaction as Rich Lowery's TMI blog. Back at the office, we had a name for girls who spread their knees for promotions and it wasn't 'barracuda'.
For the life of me I can't figure out why women want to vote for this guy. They must have never been betrayed by a two-timing jerk. Are they blind to the cold layer of ice he keeps between himself and his wife on stage? Keep in mind, this guy was in his thirties during the ascent of the women's movement. If you're not old enough to remember, then ask your mothers or watch some reruns of 'all in the family'.
I remember being told that as the only woman on my team that I'd be expected to make the coffee. My response was a cheerful agreement and a softly delivered warning that since I didn't actually drink coffee that I would not guarantee how it might taste. The men considered that they'd prefer to make themselves drinkable coffee without grinds in it. I remember my supervisor telling me that if I slept with him that he'd make my life easier. (Thanks, but no thanks!) I remember harridans like Phyllis Shaffly on the lecture circuit shrieking that women should stay in their rightful place at home and not try to compete with men in the workplace. While she was freaking on about us abandoning our children to the care of others while we selfishly wanted to work - I had to wonder that with her lecture schedule, who was back home taking care of her kids...
So when I look at John McCain with his sagging jowls expelling his bile about all things 'feminist' like that was the harbringer of everything evil in the downfall of man - I heard the echos of his generation that wanted to keep me barefoot and pregnant, consigned to mundane chores beneath the consideration of men and I wonder why any woman in her right mind would vote for this idiot.