Pumped for Palin?
Am I pumped up about Sarah Palin as McCain's Veep pick? I'm not so sure.
I've been trying to put my finger on why this choice hasn't just made me as happy as some others are about the VP nomination. This is what I've come up with so far.
Ever since I've become interested in politics and current affairs, I've never had a high opinion of John "Maverick" McCain. I don't trust him. He doesn't just reach across the political isle, he goes all the way over and camps out there. What is perceived as cutting edge politics to him is lukewarm conservativism to me.
His pick of Palin is another such example. The Democrats weren't bold enough to choose a female VP, but Maverick McCain is! It bothers me that if McCain becomes president the next two in line for the presidency are females (Palin then Pelosi).
Why does this bother me so much? I guess I see the pick as a watered down version of feminism. Does it benefit women that stay at home with their children by having these women in such high offices? I think not. Call me old-fashioned, but it goes against the grain. Those of us that choose to stay at home already get the "second class citizen" glares. We are not "strong" like the other women that have their kids AND work outside of the home.
I believe firmly that there is a price to pay for women that work outside of the home when they don't have to. I've been in a position where I've had to do it and I can see how it has affected my oldest daughter. She had to grow up too quickly.
The bottom line is this. There were plenty of capable and better choices for McCain's VP that were men. (I personally lamented hearing Fred Thompson last night giving his speech at the RNC). He would've been a great pick...although probably a better presidential choice, in my humble opinion.
I'm going to listen to Palin's speech tonight. I want to like her. I think she has a good political record. I'm just not excited about her being the VP nominee.
I've been trying to put my finger on why this choice hasn't just made me as happy as some others are about the VP nomination. This is what I've come up with so far.
Ever since I've become interested in politics and current affairs, I've never had a high opinion of John "Maverick" McCain. I don't trust him. He doesn't just reach across the political isle, he goes all the way over and camps out there. What is perceived as cutting edge politics to him is lukewarm conservativism to me.
His pick of Palin is another such example. The Democrats weren't bold enough to choose a female VP, but Maverick McCain is! It bothers me that if McCain becomes president the next two in line for the presidency are females (Palin then Pelosi).
Why does this bother me so much? I guess I see the pick as a watered down version of feminism. Does it benefit women that stay at home with their children by having these women in such high offices? I think not. Call me old-fashioned, but it goes against the grain. Those of us that choose to stay at home already get the "second class citizen" glares. We are not "strong" like the other women that have their kids AND work outside of the home.
I believe firmly that there is a price to pay for women that work outside of the home when they don't have to. I've been in a position where I've had to do it and I can see how it has affected my oldest daughter. She had to grow up too quickly.
The bottom line is this. There were plenty of capable and better choices for McCain's VP that were men. (I personally lamented hearing Fred Thompson last night giving his speech at the RNC). He would've been a great pick...although probably a better presidential choice, in my humble opinion.
I'm going to listen to Palin's speech tonight. I want to like her. I think she has a good political record. I'm just not excited about her being the VP nominee.
well said. i'm pretty sure the obvious trade off for being a professional outside the home, results in added difficulties dealing with real life in a home with children in need of careful instruction. If both mom and dad are off serving their neighbors rather than their children, parents are not around to help address moral challenges faced by children; and then, with no authority figure present, children are given opportunity to make decisions they usually are not willing or able to judge the consequences of. No doubt, Palin's service will have a big impact on the office of motherhood. I'd feel better if her children were grown. I don't see scripture telling us there's any problem with a woman having authority over men outside of the assembly (believers who gather around Word and Sacrament). Certainly, there were rich Christian women, even in the Bible who exercised authority over men in running large households. Running a country is nothing more than running a really large and complicated household.
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Excellent women's intuition!
I'm so glad to hear a Lutheran woman comment on these concerns. Prior to reading yours, I was beginning to think my">http://lutheransandcontraception.blogspot.com/2008/09/palin-procreation-politics-and.html">my position could indicate that I'm really a male chauvinist pig.
Thank you!
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