One of the things I love about being a woman is...well, that we're women. Call me biased, but as a whole I just think we tend to be more compassionate, kind, considerate, nurturing and thoughtful.
And that's why I'm writing this diary. I may be preaching to the choir here, but my hope is that somehow this diary will be read by at least a handful of women who are considering voting for McCain-Palin.
As amazing as it would be to have a woman as president or vice president, we must make sure it's the right woman. We must make sure that we're electing someone who represents the best of who are as women. Yes, we women are fierce: it's not news to us that a woman can have five kids and run a business/government at the same time; it's not news to us that a woman can be a barracuda on the basketball court; and it's certainly not news to us that a woman can hunt, fish, govern, and run with the big boys.
In other words, there is a part of Sarah Palin that is appealing: we want a woman who represents strength to be in the spotlight because so many of us do those things every day yet receive absolutely no recognition whatsoever. Sadly, sometimes not from our significant others, children, friends, etc.
But, there's more to being a woman than just being strong and a good mother. We're also compassionate, caring, nurturing and we look out for each other.
The McCain-Palin ticket does not adhere to those core values that are very important to who we are as women.
John McCain has said repeatedly that he will overturn Roe v. Wade. As women, we know that a woman can and should be trusted to make her own decisions.
Sarah Palin will also overturn Roe v. Wade and has said that abortion should be illegal even if a woman is raped. As women, we know that rape is an unwanted traumatic assault and that we should make our own decisions on how to care for ourselves afterwards.
Sarah Palin has said that abortion should be illegal even if a woman's health is jeopardized. As women, we agonize over decisions and know that a woman should not be jailed if she chooses to terminate a 4-week pregnancy so that her 3 other children can have their mother around.
John McCain and Sarah Palin both want to criminalize abortion. As women, we know it's extremely painful to choose to terminate a pregnancy and that prison should not be a punishment.
John McCain has voted against the Equal Pay Bill for women. As women, we know that a woman should be paid equal wages for equal work.
Sarah Palin belongs to a church that holds anti-gay conferences to cure gays. As women, we know that gay people are human beings and should not bashed
John McCain tried to suspend the Family Medical Leave Act. As women, we know that when our kids are sick, when we give birth, or when we have to take care of a sick parent, we need to take time off without worrying about losing our jobs.
Sarah Palin cut funding for housing for teen mothers. As women, we know that young mothers need support - especially if the decision to terminate their pregnancy has been taken away.
John McCain and Sarah Palin both support abstinence only education. As women, we know that being a teenager in today's world is difficult and abstinence-only education has failed. Teenage girls need facts to protect themselves from disease and pregnancy.
John McCain doesn't think your insurance company should have to cover birth control. As women, we know that birth control is expensive and our expensive insurance policies already provide too few benefits. To reduce unwanted births, contraception is important to women.
Sarah Palin said that Hillary Clinton was being a whiner and a victim when she called out those in the sexist media. As women, we know that subtle sexism is prevalent everywhere and we must stand together as women to fight against it, not attack each other.
In other words, we women are compassionate creatures who aren't going to tolerate gay-bashing. We don't think the government has any business knowing whether we're pregnant or not. We don't think that the government should tell us what to do with our bodies and jail us if they disagree. We believe that we deserve just as much respect - and pay - as men.