"If women want any rights more than they's got, why don't they just take them, and not be talking about it." - Sojourner Truth
Amy Siskind, founding member of The New Agenda, was recently part of a panel discussion on Bonnie Erbe’s weekly television show, To the Contrary. There were three other women on the panel with her: Republican Strategist Nancy Pfotenhauer; Former Clinton Appointee Patricia Sosa; and Conservative Commentator Tara Setmayer.
We all know that women still make less than men for comparable work. One good point Amy made was that women start out on an equal basis with men but that soon changes. Women in their 20’s and 30’s do make equal pay. However, as they approach their 40’s this all changes. Suddenly, the men are making advances and the women are not.
I can testify to this as when I was in the late 30’s early 40’s age group, hey, I was doing really well. I didn’t see any problem between women and men. I seemed to be progressing just fine, thank you very much, and forget all of this women’s rights stuff. I had it made. But by mid 40’s I started looking around and wondering what the heck was going on. Why were all of these men who were less competent than me getting promotions and pay increases, while I sat at my little desk doing a lot of work with no recognition at all? And, no, I did not take any time off for family responsibilities.
I think this is one reason so many younger women did not support Hillary or Sarah; they don’t think there is a problem. Well, I kept thinking, during the campaign, you’ll find out in about 20 years that, yes, you do have a problem. My personal opinion is that getting a woman into the Presidency will do more for women’s equality than any piece of legislation. I just wish women would understand this instead of continuing to shoot themselves in the foot with the claim that “I vote for the best candidate.” Sigh; and just why is the best candidate always a man?
Amy made another excellent point when she talked about the dual standard applied to women and men regarding their roles as parents. Amy rightly points out the difference between how Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton and their children were judged and how men and their children are judged. We need look no further than the recent escapades of Ashley Biden and her coke snorting lifestyle. Can you imagine the MSM feeding frenzy that would be going on right now if that was one of Sarah’s children? As it is, it’s been downplayed and certainly Joe Biden has not been called to task.
The group also discussed the early sexualization of our young women. Amy pointed out how this has led to early experiences of ‘domestic abuse’. A full 30% of our young girls have experienced violence from their boyfriends. What Amy suggests is education to change the consciousness of our young people. What I suggest is that parents stop dressing their six and seven year olds like sex symbols. I am often appalled at the way parents dress their little girls. Come on now…put a pair of pants on a ten year old that says “I’m Hot” right on their rear ends is sexualization of your child. Why would you want your pre-teen walking around in something like that?
Below is a short edited version of the panel discussion, which covers the above topics. Click here for the videos of the entire show. Good going Amy! You definitely were the shining star of this program. Thanks for all you do.
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