As a working mother (as well as a scientist, a Catholic, and a gun owner), I am completely insulted by the selection of Sarah Palin for Vice President. I know I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for my mother and my grandmother and all of the women who came before me, each of whom fought for my right to vote, my right to an education, better pay for women, better working conditions for women, and our inalienable right to reproductive choice.
Sarah Palin is very determined and has great ambition, both of which are admirable traits when they are combined with respect and humility, but she does not exhibit either of these. Not only has Palin failed to provide recognition of the women throughout history who fought for our rights and made it possible for her to be selected as a Vice-Presidential candidate, but she has continually shown disrespect and contempt for them by taking a political stance that is completely contrary to the success of women in America today and that of future generations. Her entire political platform clings to the notion that women would rather be subordinate to God and country than be empowered and choose their own course.
If Sarah Palin truly represented women she would be fighting for better education (especially science and technology), equal pay for equal work, reproductive choice, healthcare for women and children, and a healthier environment for all. Instead Sarah Palin wants to ban books, teach creationism with evolution, alter sex education, ban abortion (even under the most horrific circumstances), and continue our dependence on fossil fuels.
There are some remarkable women today who have devoted themselves to improving the lives of women throughout the world—and Sarah Palin is not one of them. Whether you are black, white, Hispanic, Republican or Democrat, as women we should not be fooled into supporting someone simply because we share the same chromosomes. I say NO to Sarah Palin for Vice President. And I say no to John McCain who thinks so little of women that he expects us to actually fall for this ploy.
-Jennifer T., 40, Reno, NV