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There's an interesting new trend in Congress--motherhood. Several new moms are now serving in Congress. Rep. Linda Sanchez is about to become eighth woman to give birth while in office.
I know when I had baby, it colored every opinion I held, and affected every aspect of my life. I think that's pretty typical, so why wouldn't it affect members of congress?
My opinions didn't change all that much, but certain things became more important to me, and I saw things from a different perspective. Child care and education issues hit home because you see first hand what the struggles are like. Some women experience sexism for the first time in their life when they have a baby, that's anothing thing that can influence your opinions.
I don't know why, but something about having a baby tends to strengthen your resolve, no matter which side of the political spectrum you're on. For example, sending troops into war hits you much harder when you look at your baby and realize he might have to fight some day. People with the opposite POV would probably feel a stronger resolve that sending troops to war means your baby will grow up in a safe world.
Becoming a mom for the first time certainly does change your perspective. You tend to see more things from the parents perspective. Hopefully, these new moms will be more empathetic to education and health care, two big issues that take up a lot of moms' time.
Hopefully these mom's will concentrate on what their CONSTITUENTS want them to concentrate on.
Hopefully they can intelligently control their emotions and thoughts.
Afterall, they are NOT the first PARENTS to be in Congress.
To me it's the responsibility of ALL members of Congress to do what is right as far as childcare, education, health care...to relegate these to "women's issues" is a step in the wrong direction (and a step backwards in equality). They are everyone's issues!
To call them "women's" issues will make them, unfortunately, less important is some people's eyes.
It also may alienate MEN who are in Congress who also have children and whose responsibilities in these areas are no less because they are men.
I don't think anyone was saying these are "women's issues". Health care, education, child care tend to be issues that are taken care of by the mom in many, if not most, families. Women who never gave a thought to these issues before having kids often become major advocates afterwards. That is my interpretation of the OPs first post.
Gee, I hope that none of those women are democrats --- after all, a point that dems kept bringing up during the election was that Palin was a 'bad' mother for being in politics with small children, and a baby no less!
I'm sure that those dems on these boards who railed against palin based on her motherhood would also be against these congresswomen as well. Surely they wouldn't want to be hypocrites, would they?
Gee, I hope that none of those women are democrats --- after all, a point that dems kept bringing up during the election was that Palin was a 'bad' mother for being in politics with small children, and a baby no less!
I'm sure that those dems on these boards who railed against palin based on her motherhood would also be against these congresswomen as well. Surely they wouldn't want to be hypocrites, would they?
Now just who, on the major political scene, not here on CD, said that? Hillary Clinton? I doubt it. Barack Obama? Ditto. Biden, any of the other major players? I don't think so!
Gee, I hope that none of those women are democrats --- after all, a point that dems kept bringing up during the election was that Palin was a 'bad' mother for being in politics with small children, and a baby no less!
I'm sure that those dems on these boards who railed against palin based on her motherhood would also be against these congresswomen as well. Surely they wouldn't want to be hypocrites, would they?
camping!, Palin is/was a disgrace as a mother, not because she had a job! Unfortunately her stupidity has rubbed off on her daughter, it's like a nasty cycle that only education can stop...
Hopefully they won't be introducing legislation to give parents more tax breaks......or trying to force companies to give women paid off maternity leave.
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