I’m no genius when it comes to politics or the economy, but when I looked at the photos of the 12 people appointed to the Super Committee (members of Congress tasked with finding a way out of the United States debt crisis), something immediately jumped out at me.
Look at the line-up of six Democrats on the top row and six Republicans on the bottom. Do you see what I see?
Yep, you’re right. There’s not one member of a minority on the bottom. AND, THERE ISN’T A SINGLE WOMAN. Perhaps House Speaker, John Boehner, wasn’t up-to-date on the US Census and didn’t know that women and girls represent 51 percent of the US population. Perhaps John Boehner does know that, but doesn’t think women are mentally equipped to deal with big-time issues like debt and budgeting.
As it is, women are poorly represented in Congress: Of 100 senators, 17 are women (12 Democrats and 5 Republicans) and of 435 congressmen, 76 are women (52 Democrats and 24 Republicans.) It’s bad enough that so few women—from either party—step into the political arena. It’s repugnant that only one woman is chosen, from the ones who do step forward, to sit on a critical committee.
“It’s a Super Committee, as long as you don’t think women are super,” my son, Colby, said.
We cannot continue to leave our voices at home.
0 Responses to “Taxation without representation”
Katie says:
Hi Gert,
I love your son’s comment. A smart and dryly-witty boy! I believe that the open-minded sons of intelligent women will be our secret ally in the next generation.
In the meantime, I am SO on your team. Katie Aiken Ritter on Facebook; until this week, my profile picture used to be me–holding with a sign saying “100 or Bust”. I’m going to put the same picture up in my photos with the caption I used to have: basically, that I refuse to accept that women become lesser-than as we age.
O-M-G!!!!!!!!! Am I besides myself or what!!!!????
“Appointed” is the keyword here. It is not only maddening but sad that so many people still think women incapable of so many tasks. Florida’s Governor was elected by men who felt a woman could not run the State of Florida. Now everybody, except the Governor and his Mom (“He is a good boy! (Campaign slogan)), is sorrier than sorry for electing a man whose wealth’s provenance is, to say the least, questionable.
This comittee needs to be “re-appointed” to include minorities of all walks of life… repugnant is an excellent adjective!!!
But Boehner will probably start crying if he is asked to “do over.” Wouldn’t you love to see Hillary slap him and scream: “Get over it!”?
0 Responses to “Taxation without representation”
Katie says:
Hi Gert,
I love your son’s comment. A smart and dryly-witty boy! I believe that the open-minded sons of intelligent women will be our secret ally in the next generation.
In the meantime, I am SO on your team. Katie Aiken Ritter on Facebook; until this week, my profile picture used to be me–holding with a sign saying “100 or Bust”. I’m going to put the same picture up in my photos with the caption I used to have: basically, that I refuse to accept that women become lesser-than as we age.
Cecile says:
O-M-G!!!!!!!!! Am I besides myself or what!!!!????
“Appointed” is the keyword here. It is not only maddening but sad that so many people still think women incapable of so many tasks. Florida’s Governor was elected by men who felt a woman could not run the State of Florida. Now everybody, except the Governor and his Mom (“He is a good boy! (Campaign slogan)), is sorrier than sorry for electing a man whose wealth’s provenance is, to say the least, questionable.
This comittee needs to be “re-appointed” to include minorities of all walks of life… repugnant is an excellent adjective!!!
But Boehner will probably start crying if he is asked to “do over.” Wouldn’t you love to see Hillary slap him and scream: “Get over it!”?
Great topic!
Cécile
Geri says:
hi Cecile,
Love your Hillary idea!
Geri