Sarah Palin: How Will You Help Busy, Hardworking Families?
I know, this is a green parenting blog. And my post is about politics. But the two are interconnected in so many ways that I could not resist writing about this.
I am proud that a woman is finally a vice presidential candidate in the Republican Party, as the Democrats had their first vice presidential candidate in 1987. Woman are making great strides in our country, and Gov. Palin and Sen. Clinton’s candidacy are evidence of that.
It is wonderful that she is a working mother of 5 children. But ask yourself, what will she do for families in poverty, and the middle class?
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Will she protect our children from the barrage of chemicals in everyday products by signing the Kid-Safe Chemical Act?
Will she support a paid family leave for all workers?
Will she support health care for all Americans, especially children?
Will she support quality afterschool programs, and affordable and enriching childcare?
Will she demand equal pay for women and mothers by restoring the Fair Pay Restoration Act?
As a mother of a son with a disability, will she fully fund special education across U.S. public schools?
From what I have read, we can certainly not count on this. She supposedly has a reputation for taking on big business and even those in her party. So does this mean she will take on the chemical lobby? Will she stand up for the parents who are busy feeding babies, working late and trying to make the best choices they can for their familes? This is not clear. We need her to respond not through the strict speaking points of the campaign managers. Mere lip service to these issues will not do.
Of course, there are a host of other questions I want to ask Gov. Palin about the environment, but those have more clear answers. She is for drilling in ANWAR, is for offshore drilling and her town is now full of big box stores (according to Wasilla resident Anne Kilkenny).
Momsrising is asking similar questions, in a letter to Gov. Palin.
The question remains, what will she do to help families improve their lives?
image: on Flikr by the_real_cjs’ under Creative Commons
I am a little shocked by the lack of compassion shown by some of my fellow commenters. I am a liberal Democrat and an environmentalist, however I strongly believe in personal responsibility AND a social safety net. I agree that there are many middle class (and every other kind of person) who believe they are entitled to a brand new car, designer clothes, a big suburban house, etc. And then they spend and borrow to make a show of what they own. Those people should not get a government “handout”. But you know who should? People who are working full time at jobs that just cover their bills; they need daycare subsidies, food stamps, etc. to help them save and pay for training classes, etc. A social safety net is necessary in a just and compassionate society. Paying your taxes is like paying the dues to be in the best club in the world, you know, being an American citizen. You reap the benefits of membership everyday when you can travel safely, express your opinions, practice your religion, buy cheap goods, etc.
Why are you asking Sarah Palin these questions? Why not Barack Obama, Hillary CLinton, etc???