From One Career Mom To Another, You Go Girl!
The news has been out for over a week now. The shock is starting to wear off. But the insults continue, and I guess that's OK. That's how it is in politics. Yet I feel constrained to put my .02 cents in on the topic of Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin, and not about her politics either. In fact, I know little about her political views except that she's against abortion, that she favors drilling in Alaska and that she doesn't seem to be particularly pro-small business. I don't like that.
Not only that, I think she took lousy, repulsive, cheap, underhanded and unprofessional shots at Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, in particular by characterizing his community organizing work as anything less than a valuable and noble example of what all Americans should do. I don't like that either.
Having said all that, regardless of our political differences, I have a lot in common with Sarah Palin. We are both married to our high school sweethearts. We are both professional career women. We are both mothers of very young children. We have a loyal group of family members and girlfriends who have our back no matter what we say or do, win or lose.
And we love our families and our careers, and are determined to serve both well, simultaneously, in a world that makes it nearly impossible to do so.
I am weary of the editorials by other mothers criticizing Palin for returning to work 3 days after her child was born. When my first child was born, I scheduled an inducement so I could maintain my business and not miss publication of my weekly newsletter. I took pain killers, did not give birth in a pool and ended up having a Cesarean. And not only that, I gave an interview to a newspaper on a business related topic within 24 hours of giving birth. (Made some money as a result too.) I even gave the reporter my cell phone number so I could call her back quickly if she called while I was delivering my daughter.
Other mothers would not have made the same choices. And I took some heat for my choices, even to the point of being criticized for them on a television show once last year.
And so I support Sarah Palin for doing what she thinks is best for her life, at this time in her life.
At the end of the day, as mothers, that's all we can all do. Instead of criticizing her family choices, let's be collectively grateful that we live in a country where she has them in the first place. That, in America, a married woman can chose to: run for public office, wear whatever clothes she wants, have a career of her own, own businesses in her own name and purchase real estate without her husband's permission.
Sarah, if it was right for you and your family for you to return to work 72 hours after your child was born, then you just go sister. 72 hours after mine was born, I was sitting at my desk revising my website and learning how to breastfeed at the same time. Why? Because I felt my newborn needed the benefits of both my breast milk and my business acumen in order to have the best life possible.
I believe that a rising tide lifts all ships. And regardless of my political views where she's concerned, Sarah Palin's nomination, especially when coupled with how far Hillary Clinton came on the Democratic ticket this year, is a rising tide for women and mothers from all walks of life.
I don't have to agree with another professional mother's choices to celebrate the fact that she has them.
And regardless of the political differences I have with Sarah Palin, I'm going to ride her wave.
What do you think?
Other moms? Dads? Indie Business owners? What do you say?
Well said dM! I have my likes and dislikes for sarah palin, however, I too, am a mom and working woman. I was back to work very soon after having my last child, and I suppose there are those people out there who would criticize that.
Most of my customers didn’t even know I was “on maternity leave” because of my speedy return. I’m very thankful to live in a country that allows me that freedom, and to be self-employed so I can breastfeed my baby while running my business and keeping my family afloat. Thank you again for a wonderful post!
Well said dM! I have my likes and dislikes for sarah palin, however, I too, am a mom and working woman. I was back to work very soon after having my last child, and I suppose there are those people out there who would criticize that.
Most of my customers didn’t even know I was “on maternity leave” because of my speedy return. I’m very thankful to live in a country that allows me that freedom, and to be self-employed so I can breastfeed my baby while running my business and keeping my family afloat. Thank you again for a wonderful post!
Thanks for Taking a Stand. Well timed and well said.
Thanks for Taking a Stand. Well timed and well said.
Women have made great accomplishments since Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: which was amended thereafter. Prior to 1964, women and blacks were not able to exercise or did not have rights in America
Women have made great accomplishments since Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: which was amended thereafter. Prior to 1964, women and blacks were not able to exercise or did not have rights in America
Donna Maria, it’s been stated that Obama will raise small business taxes by 60%!! Just listen to Bill Rancik (the first Apprentice winner and very successful small business owner). Obama is for big government and that means more government interfearance in our businesses and fiscal lives. We don’t need more regulation and fees etc than we already have (democrat proposed Globalization Act by Dem Congressman Rangle).I think judgement should be reserved for Palin’s stance on small business until she states what her policies are. For now, I highly respect that she has a no nonsense, clean up attitude in regards to government waste spending, corruption and the like. Regarding the shots she took at Obama, the Republicans had to fight back at the Democrats – they were making very negative comments throughout the entire Dem. convention!
Donna Maria, it’s been stated that Obama will raise small business taxes by 60%!! Just listen to Bill Rancik (the first Apprentice winner and very successful small business owner). Obama is for big government and that means more government interfearance in our businesses and fiscal lives. We don’t need more regulation and fees etc than we already have (democrat proposed Globalization Act by Dem Congressman Rangle).I think judgement should be reserved for Palin’s stance on small business until she states what her policies are. For now, I highly respect that she has a no nonsense, clean up attitude in regards to government waste spending, corruption and the like. Regarding the shots she took at Obama, the Republicans had to fight back at the Democrats – they were making very negative comments throughout the entire Dem. convention!
Well said!
Sarah is a REAL person and has a REAL family with all the ups and downs that most families have. The highly critical news media are so fascinated with the private lives of others that it leads me to believe they have no life.
My vote is not determined by how long she breast fed but how well she can stand up to adversity and to the critical issues that face our country today.
She is one tough gal and is a wonderful inspiration for all of us trying to succeed in our careers.
Well said!
Sarah is a REAL person and has a REAL family with all the ups and downs that most families have. The highly critical news media are so fascinated with the private lives of others that it leads me to believe they have no life.
My vote is not determined by how long she breast fed but how well she can stand up to adversity and to the critical issues that face our country today.
She is one tough gal and is a wonderful inspiration for all of us trying to succeed in our careers.
To begin with, I disagree with everything that it is known that Sarah Palin believes in. The media is still discovering new and disturbing things about her. It has been said that the media shouldn’t be turning over moss-covered rocks. But with McCain’s age and health, this woman is very likely to be our President if this team is elected. I feel the country needs to know everything that there is to know about her if citizens are to make an intelligent choice. This would be true whether she is a man or a woman.
I don’t feel that the fact that she is a woman makes her any more or less qualified to be President than anyone else. The choices that she has made as a woman, a mother, and as a politician are choices that I neither understand or respect. I can respect and support the mother who works because she has to, but Sarah Palen is just an egotistical wantabee who is putting her own goals ahead of the needs of those youngsters she gave birth to. Her first obligation is to those three younger children who are still at home and need her guidance. Her egotistical desire for a political career can wait until those kids no longer need her full support. Perhaps a nanny could do just as good a job. If that is the case, then she’s a pretty poor mom.
Having said all that, my primary reason for opposing Sarah Palen as Vice President is that she is a heartbeat away from being President. 21 months as a governor as well as time spent as a mayor of a tiny town doesn’t quality her to be President. The fact that one man (John McCain) appointed her to be the next potential president is scary. I agree that Obama doesn’t have a lot of experience but he has more than she does and has a well-qualified vice presidental nominee behind him PLUS HE WAS CHOSEN BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AND NOT BY ONE MAN.
To begin with, I disagree with everything that it is known that Sarah Palin believes in. The media is still discovering new and disturbing things about her. It has been said that the media shouldn’t be turning over moss-covered rocks. But with McCain’s age and health, this woman is very likely to be our President if this team is elected. I feel the country needs to know everything that there is to know about her if citizens are to make an intelligent choice. This would be true whether she is a man or a woman.
I don’t feel that the fact that she is a woman makes her any more or less qualified to be President than anyone else. The choices that she has made as a woman, a mother, and as a politician are choices that I neither understand or respect. I can respect and support the mother who works because she has to, but Sarah Palen is just an egotistical wantabee who is putting her own goals ahead of the needs of those youngsters she gave birth to. Her first obligation is to those three younger children who are still at home and need her guidance. Her egotistical desire for a political career can wait until those kids no longer need her full support. Perhaps a nanny could do just as good a job. If that is the case, then she’s a pretty poor mom.
Having said all that, my primary reason for opposing Sarah Palen as Vice President is that she is a heartbeat away from being President. 21 months as a governor as well as time spent as a mayor of a tiny town doesn’t quality her to be President. The fact that one man (John McCain) appointed her to be the next potential president is scary. I agree that Obama doesn’t have a lot of experience but he has more than she does and has a well-qualified vice presidental nominee behind him PLUS HE WAS CHOSEN BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AND NOT BY ONE MAN.
dM! Great article!
Sarah Palin is a pistol! I like her personality and I like her spunk.
I, too, disagree with some of what I know, but the fact that this is history in the making is incredible. She is the first woman to be on a Republican Presidential ticket. On both sides of the aisle we are watching history in the making.
I have a day job (3 days per week) working for a well known conservative talk radio host. When I began working for him I was a registered Democrat. Now I am an Independent (or declined to state as we call it here in California). While I have learned a lot of where I stand on certain issues, I can still try to see the other side. (His side, that is,,,lol). They LOVE Sarah Palin! (Course, they also like Bush…sorry if there is anyone who still likes him.)
But the one thing we CAN agree on is that she is likable. She has a sense of humor and that it is an amazing time in history.
I like to keep it at that (if I intend to keep my job…just kidding).
So thanks dM. It’s been great reading everyone’s posts.
dM! Great article!
Sarah Palin is a pistol! I like her personality and I like her spunk.
I, too, disagree with some of what I know, but the fact that this is history in the making is incredible. She is the first woman to be on a Republican Presidential ticket. On both sides of the aisle we are watching history in the making.
I have a day job (3 days per week) working for a well known conservative talk radio host. When I began working for him I was a registered Democrat. Now I am an Independent (or declined to state as we call it here in California). While I have learned a lot of where I stand on certain issues, I can still try to see the other side. (His side, that is,,,lol). They LOVE Sarah Palin! (Course, they also like Bush…sorry if there is anyone who still likes him.)
But the one thing we CAN agree on is that she is likable. She has a sense of humor and that it is an amazing time in history.
I like to keep it at that (if I intend to keep my job…just kidding).
So thanks dM. It’s been great reading everyone’s posts.
Politics aside I admire you for this post dM. In my nearly 16 years as a mother I have made a variety of choices that may seem crazy to others but work for my family. Thank God I don’t have to endure the scrutiny of the whole world. Working mothers from all walks of life and both sides of the political aisle should chose to stop spreading the hate. That includes those working mothers in the media.
Kuddos for to you for not being afraid to support another woman even when you wouldn’t vote for her. You have cast your vote woman to woman no matter how you will vote in the election.
Politics aside I admire you for this post dM. In my nearly 16 years as a mother I have made a variety of choices that may seem crazy to others but work for my family. Thank God I don’t have to endure the scrutiny of the whole world. Working mothers from all walks of life and both sides of the political aisle should chose to stop spreading the hate. That includes those working mothers in the media.
Kuddos for to you for not being afraid to support another woman even when you wouldn’t vote for her. You have cast your vote woman to woman no matter how you will vote in the election.
I have to admit that I think Sarah Palin is a ploy by the republicans to make us vote for McCain. I do respect her as a mom, but I know loads of hard working moms that I wouldnt vote for as Vice President. The fact remains that if John McCain and the Republicans weren’t on the outs, they would have never picked Sarah Palin. That’s what I don’t like, they are using her and all of us as women. Yes, she is likable and friendly and probably a good mom, but is she qualified to run this country? No. I resent John McCain putting her on the ticket knowing he is older and has battled cancer. If he is thinking country first then in the event of his death he would be leaving our troops and country in the hands of someone that admittedly has no foreign policy experience and has just recently gotten her passport! I think this is very sad. I think the Republicans are counting on us women to “just vote for her cause she’s a woman and so are you”, we have to separate ourselves from liking Sarah Palin and voting for McCain. We, as women are smarter than they are giving us credit for. It’s hard to believe that now McCain is running on the “Change” platform. How can you be the change candidate when you’ve been in Washingtong for 26 years?
I have to admit that I think Sarah Palin is a ploy by the republicans to make us vote for McCain. I do respect her as a mom, but I know loads of hard working moms that I wouldnt vote for as Vice President. The fact remains that if John McCain and the Republicans weren’t on the outs, they would have never picked Sarah Palin. That’s what I don’t like, they are using her and all of us as women. Yes, she is likable and friendly and probably a good mom, but is she qualified to run this country? No. I resent John McCain putting her on the ticket knowing he is older and has battled cancer. If he is thinking country first then in the event of his death he would be leaving our troops and country in the hands of someone that admittedly has no foreign policy experience and has just recently gotten her passport! I think this is very sad. I think the Republicans are counting on us women to “just vote for her cause she’s a woman and so are you”, we have to separate ourselves from liking Sarah Palin and voting for McCain. We, as women are smarter than they are giving us credit for. It’s hard to believe that now McCain is running on the “Change” platform. How can you be the change candidate when you’ve been in Washingtong for 26 years?
excellent post dM … a classical libertarian view! i don’t rely on the mainstream media to tell me the truth about anything anyway. but i too celebrate sarah palin’s accomplishments, whether i agree with her political views or not. i think it was a smart move for mccain, but her performance remains to be seen. she appears to be a strong woman who acts on her convictions and what’s not to like about that? how she handles her private life and her family challenges is HER business, not ours.
i don’t intend to vote for “mcbama” because neither party represents TRUE change for our country. no matter which one takes office, it will undoubtedly be just more of the same. (don’t believe me? wait and see…)
to find out who REALLY controls the elections and this country (and ultimately the world) google bilderberg group.
then visit http://www.thecampaignforliberty.com. true change will ONLY come from the grassroots up and ONLY when we get back to following the constitution and the principles of our founding fathers. wake up america!!! rise and shine!
excellent post dM … a classical libertarian view! i don’t rely on the mainstream media to tell me the truth about anything anyway. but i too celebrate sarah palin’s accomplishments, whether i agree with her political views or not. i think it was a smart move for mccain, but her performance remains to be seen. she appears to be a strong woman who acts on her convictions and what’s not to like about that? how she handles her private life and her family challenges is HER business, not ours.
i don’t intend to vote for “mcbama” because neither party represents TRUE change for our country. no matter which one takes office, it will undoubtedly be just more of the same. (don’t believe me? wait and see…)
to find out who REALLY controls the elections and this country (and ultimately the world) google bilderberg group.
then visit http://www.thecampaignforliberty.com. true change will ONLY come from the grassroots up and ONLY when we get back to following the constitution and the principles of our founding fathers. wake up america!!! rise and shine!
I guess I really haven
I guess I really haven
DM,I think what you’ve said here is wonderful! I totally agree of all the working mom points about Ms. Palin. I also think that her nomination as VP is calculated by and for McCain. Yes, I was drawn to her story and things that she says but I still hear this drilling noise every time her name is said. If we can keep our last frontier safe, then our planet has a chance. I really really really hope that our country won’t sell out.
my 2 cents,
~Regina
DM,I think what you’ve said here is wonderful! I totally agree of all the working mom points about Ms. Palin. I also think that her nomination as VP is calculated by and for McCain. Yes, I was drawn to her story and things that she says but I still hear this drilling noise every time her name is said. If we can keep our last frontier safe, then our planet has a chance. I really really really hope that our country won’t sell out.
my 2 cents,
~Regina
Hi Donna Maria:
I feel a need to connect your comments on Sarah Palin to my current personal worry over the Federal Globalization Act of 2008 because, in my mind, they intersect in an crucial way.
As I wait to hear more about the Federal Globalization Act and what it stands to do to my dreams, I can’t help but think back to what the Federal Government was when I was a young woman thirty years ago. At that time, our Federal Government, though imperfect, was an actual and active servant for many of us. In the mid-Seventies, the well being of most American families was at an apex. However, the gains we had achieved as citizens — fair wages, workplace safety, goods and services we could trust – were looked on with more than a little jealousy by some of the largest business interests. Thus began the war of those interests against Government. There was a very deliberate campaign waged against the effectiveness of our Government with the belief that The Free Market should be the exclusive force shaping our society. There has been no let-up since that time in this quietly explosive power struggle.
Thirty plus years later, you and I are standing in the ruins of this assault. When people complain about Government, they forget that what we are living with now has been transformed over time into something our parents and grandparents might not recognize. Big Government? Small Government? This isn’t the issue. Right now, we don’t have an effective Government. but a Government that has been gutted (literally) by the greediest champions of the Free Market ideal. Odd as it sounds,I think it’s no coincidence that the Federal Globalization Act is hanging over our heads at this point in time. True governmental oversight has been gone a while. This has been replaced by many a favor done in the guise of “regulatory authority”.
Believe me, I support business. However, Government has a part to play in our lives, and it has been bad mouthed and broken. The real queston of this election may really be whether it is finished off. To me, Sarah Palin will not be a help in this tug of war. Historically, there are not many Republicans who would propose that the Federal Government take back its administrative/regulatory strength no matter how many times they proclaim they’ve stood up to “special interests” or that they are “reformers”. In the meanwhile, I personally dislike her for defending herself and her party in the most narrow-minded, vicious way, and this tells me as much about her character and leadership skills as any other part of her narrative.
If I can share anything here, it is my hope to give people another way of looking at the current political contest. Please, as business people, let’s not fear Government, but mourn what it’s become. There is a balance to be struck between Government and business, and at the moment the balance is so skewed it could be fatal for us in all phases of our lives. The politicians who can see this have my gratitude, for they are bucking a current day mindset that assigns them labels ranging from “naive elitists” to saboteurs who are promoting a system “that smacks of of the Socialism of my youth” as Arnold Schwarzenegger put it at the 2004 Republican Convention.
Please, everyone, look past this kind of thinking for the sake of our livelihoods as well as our lives. Sarah Palin is a pit bull with lipstick for interests that are hurting us terribly. I need a much different heroine.
Hi Donna Maria:
I feel a need to connect your comments on Sarah Palin to my current personal worry over the Federal Globalization Act of 2008 because, in my mind, they intersect in an crucial way.
As I wait to hear more about the Federal Globalization Act and what it stands to do to my dreams, I can’t help but think back to what the Federal Government was when I was a young woman thirty years ago. At that time, our Federal Government, though imperfect, was an actual and active servant for many of us. In the mid-Seventies, the well being of most American families was at an apex. However, the gains we had achieved as citizens — fair wages, workplace safety, goods and services we could trust – were looked on with more than a little jealousy by some of the largest business interests. Thus began the war of those interests against Government. There was a very deliberate campaign waged against the effectiveness of our Government with the belief that The Free Market should be the exclusive force shaping our society. There has been no let-up since that time in this quietly explosive power struggle.
Thirty plus years later, you and I are standing in the ruins of this assault. When people complain about Government, they forget that what we are living with now has been transformed over time into something our parents and grandparents might not recognize. Big Government? Small Government? This isn’t the issue. Right now, we don’t have an effective Government. but a Government that has been gutted (literally) by the greediest champions of the Free Market ideal. Odd as it sounds,I think it’s no coincidence that the Federal Globalization Act is hanging over our heads at this point in time. True governmental oversight has been gone a while. This has been replaced by many a favor done in the guise of “regulatory authority”.
Believe me, I support business. However, Government has a part to play in our lives, and it has been bad mouthed and broken. The real queston of this election may really be whether it is finished off. To me, Sarah Palin will not be a help in this tug of war. Historically, there are not many Republicans who would propose that the Federal Government take back its administrative/regulatory strength no matter how many times they proclaim they’ve stood up to “special interests” or that they are “reformers”. In the meanwhile, I personally dislike her for defending herself and her party in the most narrow-minded, vicious way, and this tells me as much about her character and leadership skills as any other part of her narrative.
If I can share anything here, it is my hope to give people another way of looking at the current political contest. Please, as business people, let’s not fear Government, but mourn what it’s become. There is a balance to be struck between Government and business, and at the moment the balance is so skewed it could be fatal for us in all phases of our lives. The politicians who can see this have my gratitude, for they are bucking a current day mindset that assigns them labels ranging from “naive elitists” to saboteurs who are promoting a system “that smacks of of the Socialism of my youth” as Arnold Schwarzenegger put it at the 2004 Republican Convention.
Please, everyone, look past this kind of thinking for the sake of our livelihoods as well as our lives. Sarah Palin is a pit bull with lipstick for interests that are hurting us terribly. I need a much different heroine.
Thanks for dropping by my blog!
In some ways I don’t have all that much in common with Palin, but that is not the point–not the point of political discussions and not a reason for me or anyone else to attack her. As you say, we should be grateful that as women we HAVE choices and direct our energies toward what’s important, not tearing each other down.
Thanks for dropping by my blog!
In some ways I don’t have all that much in common with Palin, but that is not the point–not the point of political discussions and not a reason for me or anyone else to attack her. As you say, we should be grateful that as women we HAVE choices and direct our energies toward what’s important, not tearing each other down.
I still don’t know what’s Sarah Pallin record? Besides, John McCain is the one running for President, NOT Sarah Pallin…
I also think she is a great mom.
I still don’t know what’s Sarah Pallin record? Besides, John McCain is the one running for President, NOT Sarah Pallin…
I also think she is a great mom.
Are you saying that you are going to vote for a woman just becasue you like her personality? because she reminds you of *you*?
that’s damn scary.
this is not a popularity contest, or a symbolic vote for theiretical test results. this is a vote for the president of the united states. unless you believe in what she believes in – no reproductive rights for women, the american right to attack when ‘preemptively’ inlcuding the use of nuclear weapons, drilling alaska to Kingdom Come – then DON’T fall for thee bait and switch. don’t vote for mccain.
this woman isn’t running for the hea of the PTA anymore.
Are you saying that you are going to vote for a woman just becasue you like her personality? because she reminds you of *you*?
that’s damn scary.
this is not a popularity contest, or a symbolic vote for theiretical test results. this is a vote for the president of the united states. unless you believe in what she believes in – no reproductive rights for women, the american right to attack when ‘preemptively’ inlcuding the use of nuclear weapons, drilling alaska to Kingdom Come – then DON’T fall for thee bait and switch. don’t vote for mccain.
this woman isn’t running for the hea of the PTA anymore.
Hi Cecile, thanks for visiting my blog and for leaving your comments here. I didn’t say I was going to vote for John McCain or for Sarah Palin. I said that, despite our political differences, I support Palin’s and every other moms’s ability to enjoy her career and her motherhood in ways that she thinks are right for herself and for her family. I also said that I have things in common with her as a mother, which even though I don’t know her personally, it appears that I do.
Hi Cecile, thanks for visiting my blog and for leaving your comments here. I didn’t say I was going to vote for John McCain or for Sarah Palin. I said that, despite our political differences, I support Palin’s and every other moms’s ability to enjoy her career and her motherhood in ways that she thinks are right for herself and for her family. I also said that I have things in common with her as a mother, which even though I don’t know her personally, it appears that I do.