Posts Tagged ‘election’

Lordy, I really really really tried to stay away from politics for awhile. I’m getting disgusted with the whole thing–more about that later. But I just can’t remain quiet about this.

I have to point out that Todd Akin is already an elected official in Missouri. Yes, someone out there voted for him. I hope it wasn’t you!

Anyway, Todd went on TV and, as the current slew of Republican male politicians are determined to do, pissed off every woman in America. Well, I hope he made every one of us mad!

Here’s what he said:

“First of all, from what I understand from doctors [pregnancy after rape] is really rare,” Akin told KTVI-TV in defense of his stand that rape victims should not be allowed to access abortions. “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”

Goody, Todd is a physician–an ob-gyn–running for office. He speaks from experience, of course. Actually, no. Todd has a B.S. in Management Engineering. Seems neither the management nor the engineering of the female reproductive system were covered.

He might be an “avid student of the American Constitution” but he hasn’t spent much time on the laws of the country. As far as I know, there is nothing on the books that defines any rape as “legitimate.” I wonder what Todd thinks would constitute a “legitimate” rape?

Date rape? “Hey, I bought her dinner and she upsized to the large so I get some!”

And who gets to call it “legitimate”? The rapist? The victim? The police?

Needless to say, Todd had to do some backtracking.

“In reviewing my off-the-cuff remarks, it’s clear that I misspoke in this interview and it does not reflect the deep empathy I hold for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year,” he said.

Yup, he has empathy all right. Empathy for his plunging poll numbers after that snafu. I believe that when you go on TV and are interviewed, you’re prepared. Someone in your campaign has prepared you for possible questions. Since the abortion issue is front and center in the Republican’s platform this year, he expected questions about those positions. He spoke his true thoughts.

This shows Akin for the misogynist that he truly is. Republican men have made it quite clear that they have no use for women. Sure they want your vote, but frankly, they’re a little disgusted that you even get to vote. Women should be barefoot and pregnant, spewing out babies and not worrying their pretty little heads over things like access to affordable birth control, right to choose, and affordable healthcare for themselves and their children.

Ladies, we have the power in November. When you vote, you help create the future of our country. We are creating a country for our children and our grandchildren. Do we really want it to be one where ignorance and misogyny are admired? Shouldn’t our politicians be smarter, brighter, and more poised than us? Why would we want to send someone as ignorant as Akin to Washington?

We’ve got to set our standards higher, ladies. All we have to do is vote…

I found this and thought, “only 70%?”

Whether you’re Republican or Democrat, you’ve got to admit our campaign seasons are very unproductive. Candidates on either side of the aisle say and do anything they can to get elected. Or, as in the case of Sarah Palin, to get rich.

We’ll be treated to lies and innuendos. Scandals new and old. Tales of things they plan to do when they are elected that are quickly forgotten when the ballots are counted.

Then the television commercials begin. Unlike other advertising that is policed by someone (I assume anyway!) the candidates and their staff can say and do anything they want. Outright lies? Who’s gonna stop them? They write the laws that protect themselves!

By the time election day rolls around, we’ll be tired of the lies. Some of us will go to vote to hope there will be a change. Some of us will stay away, figuring nothing will ever change.

Still, only 70% of Americans are dreading this cluster f***? Who are the other 30%? The politicians themselves?

Let’s brainstorm here. How can we, as citizens, change the campaign season? Anyone have any ideas? I’m open to anything…