Last Thursday, my fiancé, my two children, and I watched the debate. We sat there aghast because right before our very eyes, the American political system became American Idol lite. I have to admit that for a moment there while watching the Sanjaya of American politics wink at the camera, use slang like "you betcha" or "darn it" and addressing third graders with a "shout out" on national television, I sincerely missed a true female role model for my ten-year old daughter and I, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
There's more below the fold...
I am a New Yorker, I proudly supported Hillary Rodham Clinton’s senate race. As a 20-year-old Young Democrat, (Now, I'm thirtysomething) I registered voters, marched in parades, donated, and canvassed for the first female Senator from New York. I can now admit that I did not support her for President but I always maintained a high level of respect for her. Whenever I attended a forum or an event where she spoke, I always knew that she was the smartest person in the room.
Now back to the clusterpuck!! On Thursday night, I felt like my intelligence was insulted, my daughter was insulted, Hillary Clinton was insulted, the great women’s rights activists of the past were insulted, and frankly, Governor Palin insulted my vagina too! As I watched the debate proceed, every minute that passed and every breath Governor Palin took felt like it was another year’s setback for women’s rights. It is very hard for a woman win an election to any office in this country. It is even more difficult for a female progressive candidate who will not kowtow to the all boys club in towns, cities, and states all over the country to win an election. So, when I heard the "mavericky," the "hokey ($2.1 million dollar) hockey mom from Wasilla," a female Stepinfetchit candidate stand up there and tell me that John McCain’s social Darwinism healthcare plan would help me, or that she refuses to "argue about the causes" of global warming, I knew that Governor Palin was the "quota candidate" of the conservative kind.
John McCain, Sarah Palin, the Republican Party, and members of the MSM are serving us shit and they insist on telling us its candy! John McCain has his agenda and so does "Joe-Six Pack Sarah" but the media, they believe that everyday citizens are too stupid to realize that we are being sold a bridge to nowhere! In several debate reviews, some members of the media portrayed Governor Palin as being "folksy," "down-right sassy," and some pundits actually alleged that since she survived a speed recitation of right-wing talking points with a smile that she won the debate!
I could never support this candidate and I was pissed that the moderator of Thursday’s debate, Gwen Ifill never broached the subjects of women’s rights and my reproductive freedoms especially when you see scary shit like this:
I respect Gwen Ifill’s work and I know that she was under siege by the right but the moderator failed the public when she did not ask questions about this very sensitive topic? Governor Palin does not support abortion in the case of rape or incest and her controversial point of views differ from most Americans! The public needs to hear that Alaska has the highest rates of rape and incest and the so-called "feminist for life" is anti-woman despite her rhetoric! Abortion and women’s rights are important and Gwen Ifill missed an incredible opportunity for the country to learn more about this dangerous woman.
Women make up a majority of the electorate and many of us know someone who suffered sexual abuse in their lifetime. I can speak for myself and I can admit that when I was 15, a teenage boy who was almost twice my size tried to force himself on me. I was fortunate enough to get away from him but I cannot imagine what my life would have been like if my history was different and I had to even fathom the thought of a pregnancy.
Right now, I am bitter! Right now, I am enraged! Like I said before Sarah "Sanjaya" Palin insulted me and she insulted my daughter. I am bitter because I had to explain to my daughter why Governor Palin’s cutesy behavior on stage was inappropriate and not presidential. I had to explain to her that your attractiveness or willful ignorance should not be the only keys for success in life. I have always preached to her that looks come and go but your intelligence will stay forever and I hope America proves me right on Election Day.