I wasn't able to watch the debate last night, so I've read a few diaries about it and am currently streaming it from YouTube. Through all the BS that I've heard in political debates, I've been angry and frustrated many times, but I have never found myself absolutely speechless with my jaw hanging open until a few minutes ago when Romney was asked about women's issues.
I understand people's outrage at Romney's suggestion that women in the workplace are less qualified and needed affirmative action in his administration to get a job. But what really hit home for me was this:
I recognized that if you are going to have women in the workforce, that sometimes we need to be more flexible. My chief of staff, for instance, had 2 kids that were still in school. She said, "I can't be here until 7 or 8 o'clock at night. I need to get home at 5 o'clock so I can be there for making dinner for my kids and be with them when they are getting home from school."
What. The. Fuck.
So basically, a woman's #1 job is to be at home taking care of the kids. No man would ever need to do that. But IF we are going to allow them, between pregnancies, to put on some shoes and come to work, we need to put a higher burden on the company and be flexible. Because again, no man would ever need a flexible work schedule. And equal pay? We just won't answer that question.
This guy is a neanderthal. I really can't understand why the "gender gap" isn't 80%.
9:30 AM PT: Wow, 1st time rec list for me! Thanks, everyone! :D