Something - very sad - happened during the primary elections on February 5, 2008 - among women Democratic voters. It seems that some Democratic women voters may have decided to vote for Hillary Clinton – simply because she is a woman.
Anger – at men – and what has happened to women over the years because of male dominance and control – should not be the reason that Hillary Clinton becomes president. A vote for Hillary Clinton – given to her simply because she is a woman – will inevitably harm the ‘woman’s movement’ – and more importantly, our country.
It is true that women have suffered in this country, both at home and at work. We are oftentimes portrayed as being ‘lesser beings’ in some circles – we receive less pay for the same amount of work, we are portrayed as sexual ‘playthings’, we are asked to appear forever young, and we are said – jokingly – to be unable to make competent decisions at certain times of the month. We are viewed as second-class citizens – still – in too many people’s minds – both male and female.
And so we have fought – hard and for a long time – to change the stereotype of the ‘weak’ American woman. We have slowly and painfully debunked most of the common, stereotypical myths that abound in American society about women, but we still have a long way to go. That question – the one that addresses where American women want to go in the future and how we want to get there – looms large in this election.
I agree that it would be good to have a woman president – good for women and for our nation - at some point in our history. But, the question is - what woman would be best for the job? Do Democratic American women believe that Hillary Rodham Clinton left the White House, moved to New York, and became Senator of that state because she is Hillary Rodham - or because she is Hillary Rodham Clinton? Did the name “Clinton” open a few doors for her that would have otherwise been tightly closed? Her husband’s name – helped – and by rights - it shouldn’t have made any difference – at all. If women really want to make it on their own – as many women within political circles have – they should not need to use their husband’s name – to get to where they want to be. ‘Needing’ or ‘using’ a man is not an admirable trait. Hopefully, our daughters already know this.
Secondly, for as much as a candidate’s personal or marital history is not supposed to become campaign fodder, I have a real problem with that fact that Mr. Clinton would be returning to the White House to live – at taxpayer expense. Our country and its citizens paid a very high and personal price – in terms of loss of respect for Mr. Clinton as well as national embarrassment – for his immature behavior and subsequent lies while in office. While Hillary Clinton, as a wife, has the inherent right to forgive her husband as many times as she sees fit, I am, once again, concerned about the message that repeated bouts of forgiveness sends to our daughters – and sons. I will forever remember Mrs. Clinton walking across the White House lawn, wearing sunglasses, and steadfastly continuing to fulfill her duties as First Lady – despite what her husband had done. But, I also remember asking myself why she would allow her husband to hurt her so deeply – apparently time and time again – and choose to stay married to the man. The role model that I am seeking – as a female president - would not allow herself to be repeatedly hurt and embarrassed by her husband’s behavior. She would instead – dig deep and find a way – to uphold her own inherent worth as an individual and as a woman - and reject being treated - as a second class spouse.
Some Democratic women voters are also apparently missing the point when it comes to the idea of change. We have had either a Clinton or a Bush in the White House for the last twenty-plus years. If Democratic women voters are really seeking change - electing Hillary Clinton can not accomplish the task. If Hillary Clinton becomes president, we are likely to see old – and not new – political and personal associates all around her. Do we want to continue to allow the ‘Democratic elite’ club to rule the party - or are we truly trying to change our thinking – and the Democratic party – such that new members are not only welcome – but have a real shot at being elected to higher offices?
How does clinging to the past represent having the courage to change? How can we talk about change – and turn around and elect a woman that represents – yesterday? If, in fours years, very little has actually changed in America because Hillary Clinton is the president of our nation – will Democratic women voters truly be surprised? Who will they blame?
To date, some Democratic women voters are showing that they are afraid of change – versus showing that they have the strength to change – and that strength comes from within. We want to change when we can’t deny that we have been in places that were not good for us, we want to change when we know that we have experienced real pain and real disappointment and that our dreams were somehow destroyed by someone or something that was bigger than we were. We want to change when our hearts and minds agree that there is no other choice. Our nation – wants and needs to change – and we can not be afraid, we can not be afraid, we can not be – women - who are too afraid – to change.
The idea of having either a Clinton or a Bush ‘cleaning up’ after one another in the White House – over and over again – is truly sad – especially when we are discussing our nation’s future. As an American woman and a current member of the Democratic party, I can not afford to keep looking back at the miserable recent history of our nation and vote to deliberately repeat that history, once again. We do indeed ‘need’ to have a female president at some point in American history – but the fact that Hillary Clinton is a woman – does not make her the right person for the job.
As women, if we really do know how strong we are, if we really do remember what we have already survived and accomplished, if we really do know that we don’t have anything to prove – to anyone – we should not feel compelled to vote for a candidate – just because she is a woman. When our sons - and especially our daughters – look for strong women role models – I would hope that they do not admire women who have ‘made it’ on the coat tails - of their husband’s success. As women, we can stand – alone. We can succeed – on our own. We can manage our lives – without ‘a man’.
As women, we must be able to decide what is best for our country – and our children’s future – according to a candidate’s vision for that future – and not according to the candidate’s gender or ethnic background. Electing ‘a woman’ is not as important as electing a truly new leader. The needs of our nation must be more important than ‘proving a point’. I already know that I am a strong woman – and I don’t need to vote for Hillary Clinton – to prove that I exist.
Orginally posted Jan. 22, 2008 at http://redcatblog.blogspot.com
In my previous post, I stated that it was difficult to view Hillary Clinton as an individual candidate for the presidency of the United States because her husband, Bill, was in the way. He has, regrettably, become a spokesperson for her campaign presumably because he carries some ’weight’ with the American public, having once occupied the Office of the President.
As an American citizen, here is what I remember about Mr. Clinton - he lied. He withheld the truth about a personal issue that had become a very public issue. He decided to disrespect his wife and his marriage - in the White House. He made a mockery of the system of American justice for his own benefit – and – took every American citizen down with him into his self-made hole. Mr. Clinton did not just hurt his family. His actions – hurt the entire nation. He helped to further disenfranchise the American public from the political system in that if elected officials lie – why should we bother to believe in the system at all?
Mr. Clinton is a man who made a huge mistake - and forgiveness is indeed Mrs. Clinton’s issue. However, I am an American citizen – and I haven’t forgotten that Mr. Clinton lied to the American people. He has my sympathy, as a fallible human being, for having acted in a childish, manipulative, and self-sabotaging manner. But, despite all that he may have accomplished as President, he ensured that his legacy would be forever be haunted – by disrespect.
If Hillary and Bill are two very different people, and I can only assume that they are – Hillary should be viewed in a different light versus her husband. To date, I do not know that she has ever lied or behaved inappropriately while in office. Her ability to forgive her husband and remain committed to her marriage is admirable. But, in this American citizen’s eyes, she should be able to understand why some American citizens no longer respect her husband and hence, would prefer that her campaign be conducted without his ‘assistance.’
Further, despite what Mr. Andrew Young stated today, Mr. Clinton is not an African American. He may have worked faithfully and hard with regard to issues affecting African Americans, but he can not know what it actually means to be an African American living in the United States today – because he isn’t an African American. Mr. Clinton is white, just as Hillary Clinton is a white woman. Mr. Clinton may be able to guess what life is like for African Americans, but he actually does not know. He hasn’t lived it in real-time and neither he nor his wife, will never be able to claim otherwise.
One can be a ‘friend’ to another. But one can not - be – the other. And, if differences are never adequately recognized – they can not be adequately addressed. Racial tension still exists in too many places in America. Perhaps we should begin the discussion there versus trying to determine who has been a better ‘friend’ to the African American community – a friend who has now apparently come to call – because the African American community may ‘owe’ them something. If Mr. Clinton once stood and fought for the African American community – that makes him a leader who performed his job well. It does not necessarily make him – a friend.
As a voter who is reviewing the field of potential candidates for President of the United States, I see two major Democratic candidates that are seemingly closely competing with one another for the most important position in the country. One is married to a man who disgraced my country and the Office of the President. Additionally, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton are indeed ‘experienced insiders’ in Washington, D.C., and that is precisely why I can not vote for Mrs. Clinton. I am not interested in repeating history in any fashion. I am not interested in conducting business as usual. I am not interested in having a ‘new’ administration that is bereft with longtime friends and business associates. Old faces, old mentalities, buddy systems, and ‘friend of a friend of a friend’ in Washington, D.C. – reflects the mistakes that we have already made as voters and as a country. We can not afford to make those same mistakes again.
Barack Hussein Obama is of mixed heritage and hence, Barack Hussein Obama – probably has a clue as to what it feels like - to be of mixed heritage. Barack Hussein Obama - seemingly represents - respect. Respect for each other, respect for other nations and their people, respect for differences of opinion, and above all – respect for the American people – regardless of faith, gender, color, creed, or political affiliation.
He appears to be different, open-minded, and willing to learn. And yes, he is of mixed heritage, like so many American citizens living in the US today.
We can not fear that which is new and different, just as we can not cling to a twisted past. History will not be repeated - if we have learned our lessons well.
Article originally posted Jan. 13, 2008, at : http://redcatblog.blogspot.com
Why America Needs Barack Hussein Obama
(redcat)
As a registered Democrat, I have noticed a few glaring differences between the candidates for president of the United States. Those differences may serve to finalize my decision to vote for Mr. Barack Obama, despite a few reservations that I still have about him. It is unfortunate that Hillary Clinton decided to allow her husband to serve as a spokesman for her campaign. Had she decided to limit his campaign-related appearances, and presented herself simply as an American woman seeking political office, she would have appeared as a stronger candidate to me. I am not interested in repeating history when it comes to the US presidency and the idea of elite political families playing musical chairs within the Oval Office is distasteful to me. The United States of America doesn’t need a ‘two-for-one’ team. We need a competent, intelligent, and humble – leader. As President, Mr. Clinton had his day as well as his shining moments. If Hillary Clinton intends to represent the United States of America on her own, she should campaign for that honor – alone – and stop appearing as if she needs Mr. Clinton at her side - in order to accomplish anything. Old faces can not represent a new day in America and no woman should be dependent upon their husband for personal – or political – success. It is very difficult for me to see Hillary Rodham Clinton as an individual – because her husband is so definitely – obscuring my view. In contrast, Barack Obama currently appears to be nothing less than a social and political phenomenon. He is of mixed race, he is emotionally intelligent, and he wrote truthfully about his life, experiences, mistakes, and mindset before he became ‘famous.’ Most importantly, he seems to have a personal vision – of what America could still be – despite our miserable, recent history. He speaks of the power and wisdom of negotiation, he believes that social and political change are possible, he recalls the haunting words and lessons taught to us by Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy, and most critically – he speaks of hope for the future of America. Many individuals seem to be almost afraid of the idea of Mr. Obama as president – a man of mixed race, who seems to understand and embrace cultural differences, an African-American family occupying the White House two-hundred plus years too late, an articulate, emotionally intelligent, and somewhat young – President of the United States? There is an element of fear of change associated with the idea of Mr. Obama as President. Another component of this fear involves Mr. Obama's idea of hope for ourselves and for our country. There is fear about having something new and different in Washington, D.C., there is fear about real and palpable change in America, there is fear that the future will be filled with the all too familiar disappointment that Americans have experienced after they believed a politician’s words and then stood by and watched as one promise after another was broken. There is fear - of having any hope at all. I am afraid - to harbor hope for my country once again, I am afraid to believe in the moral character and personal integrity of a political leader, and I afraid of being left – heartbroken - about the state of my country and what it has done to the rest of the world – one more time. And yet, despite my fear, I look at the public figure that seems to be Mr. Barack Obama – and I sense that – to date - he is the best face that America could offer to itself – and most importantly - to the rest of the world. He is not a ‘white man,’ he is not from a wealthy family, he has lived in other places in the world, he has worked consistently for change, and he has already told us about his mistakes. When he is speaking publicly, he appears to be fully aware of the power of his own words and the heavy personal responsibility that will be associated with the hope that he is trying to create. He appears confident, yes, but his intelligence and personal vision for America’s future – are very, very hard to miss – even by a white, close to middle-aged, American - woman. My age and life experience enable me to realize that Mr. Obama is indeed a politician and he is also likely to make a few mistakes during a presidency – as all American presidents have. But of all of the current candidates – I believe that Mr. Obama represents the best that America has to offer. Mr. Obama represents change and hope and equality and common sense and life experience and emotional intelligence and a willingness to listen to – and respect – other’s points of view. Mr. Obama can not only think – he can seemingly feel and respect others, as well. Strength – and a certain level of humility – are two of the most important characteristics that the next president of the United States will need to possess. May hope for our future and the future of the world, in combination with the courage to change that which we know is so very wrong - outweigh the fear that the American people may have about electing Mr. Obama as our next President. May the American people at large - understand how badly we need Mr. Barack Hussein Obama to occupy the Office of the President of the United States of America. By electing Mr. Obama, may the rest of the world see that the people of America are at least trying to muster – the courage to change.
