A Further Perspective
Tough Time to Be a Woman
Where would we be without the Sinisterhood?
(Page 3 of 4)
Actually, Ms. Fluke merits greater disdain, because her education places her and her fellow one percenter classmates in a position of privilege and it’s ridiculous for them to freeload on someone else for the cost of their prescription drugs, in an era of economic hardship. They are attending a fine university which provides healthcare services, unlike many deserving young people who aren’t able to attend university right now due to the cost. When the American people think about helping unfortunate people with their health care expenses, they aren’t thinking about the needs of Georgetown students who need their pills. They’re thinking about someone like my sainted widowed friend who worked in the warehouse of a drugstore chain in order to provide health insurance for her and her four children.
A Real Woman, if she is so concerned about these little pill-less foundlings and their plight, would form a non-profit and provide contraceptives at low or no cost… they could call it Planned Parenthood! They wouldn’t demand a religious institution give up it’s own right to choose. There are hundreds of universities they could have chosen to attend where contraceptives are provided, if this was such a serious issue for them. They would be strong, pro-active problem-solving women, not victims, so please, enough! You’re making us all look bad.
And On And On
I was minding my own
business, reading the August issue of Elle magazine, and
there was an article by Rebecca Traister, seemly insinuating that
the underlying motivation for the GOP War on Women is a fear of
single women. To quote from Ms. Traister, as painful as it
is:
For a clutch of influential conservatives, a woman who lives, learns, works, earns, socializes, has sex, reproduces-or doesn’t reproduce-without a legal tie to a husband represents the larger disruption of male power by women. So terrifying is this figure that those endeavoring to convey the monstrosity of a powerful woman who happens to be married will talk about her as if she’s not…
And further:
Conservatives often portray single women in ways that betray exactly what they fear: loss of control.
Where to begin? First, I’m really annoyed that the magazine I read to find out about the latest beauty creams for wrinkles is giving me wrinkles! Okay, Sinisterhood, does the name “Condoleezza Rice” or maybe “Condi Rice” mean anything to you? Yes, yes, those “wascally wepublicans” are weally scared of single women. That’s why Dubya Bush appointed a single woman as his National Security Advisor. Further, who first started appointing women to serious positions? Reagan, with the appointment of Jeane Kirkpatrick as our UN Ambassador.
Conservatives aren’t concerned about single women, nor are we afraid of them. Prepare yourself for a shock, Sinisterhood, but many of us conservatives are single women, like a dear friend, who tests missile systems for the military and defines gun control as “hitting your target.” What does concern us is single parenthood, for the reasons cited by, among others, Kay Hymowitz of the Manhattan Institute, who writes:
The single-mother revolution has been an economic catastrophe for women. Poverty remains relatively rare among married couples with children; the U.S. census puts only 8.8% of them in that category, up from 6.7% since the start of the Great Recession. But more than 40% of single-mother families are poor, up from 37% before the downturn. In the bottom quintile of earnings, most households are single people, many of them elderly. But of the two-fifths of bottom-quintile households that are families, 83% are headed by single mothers. The Brookings Institution’s Isabel Sawhill calculates that virtually all the increase in child poverty in the United States since the 1970s would vanish if parents still married at 1970 rates.
Back in the day, I came up with what I thought was a catchy question when we women would have our left-right debates over tax issues, “If I have control over my womb, but not my wallet, do I really have control?” It has never caught on, I hate to report.
The Sinisterhood conjure up the boogey man of Todd Akin, Senate candidate, standing between them and their right to control their bodies. I, on the other hand, think of that GSA guy in the bathtub, with the fruity cocktails and a bad hairdo, when I think of the Commissars who will dictate my access to healthcare under Obamacare.
Yes, it may be designed by a thoughtful, knowledgeable bioethicist like Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, who has served as Obama’s special health care advisor, and I’ll even give the Sinisterhood their claim that he’s been taken out of context, and is really not recommending rationing for seniors. However, once the Affordable Health Care Act kicks in and the budgetary realities of the cost of Obamacare come home to roost, there will be a whole lot of denying of coverage for certain procedures, because it will be implemented by the no-name, faceless bureaucratic, non-elected/non-accountable men in the bathtub! Witness the peremptory move by the U. S. Preventive Services Task Force to increase the age at which women received mammograms for the early detection of breast cancer, as reported by Danielle Dellorto in a Nov. 16, 2009 story for CNN. As Dr. Otis Brawley, Chief Medical Officer for the American Cancer Society, quipped:
“With its new recommendations, the [task force] is essentially telling women that mammography at age 40 to 49 saves lives; just not enough of them…”
The backlash to this recommendation resulted in an about face… this time. I am also reminded of a conversation I had with a surgical nurse whose Canadian mother was denied a knee replacement surgery by their National Health Service simply due to her age, even though she had a bone on bone condition, hugely painful, and therefore was becoming incapacitated. She was in great health but for this one ailment; however, from a demographic standpoint, the government didn’t view someone of her advanced years as a “good investment” for this type of service.
The thinking behind this is described clearly by Dr. Emanuel, who with his co-authors in a Lancet, January 31, 2009 article stated:
About the Author
Melissa O’Sullivan writes from a conservative woman’s perspective on a myriad of topics from Decatur, Alabama.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (33) | Leave a comment
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Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 10.11.12 @ 7:25AM
I see your point. Being forced to pay for contraceptives for unforced sex is more than a soul can bear in this society.
Also, I was reading about a female Senate candidate who stole some Indian recipes and wrote a book called Pow Wow Chow. Her name is Elizabeth Warren and she's also claimed native American status so she could gain hiring and other job benefits. Turns out she's also been practicing law without a license.
Personally, there's nothing I hate worse than a recipe stealing fake Indian who also happens to be a fake attorney. Think of the workload this has created for journalists and other average Americans. Do you write the headline "Fake Indian may be Fake Attorney," or "Fake Attorney may be Fake Indian?"
It's difficult to grapple with the issues caused by the quest for gender equality. For instance, try being a man, it's even more difficult, for real men are not welcome anywhere, anymore.
Men with real values are disdained and openly ridiculed. However, I don't mean to diminish the burdens of being a "modern" woman.
Look at Hillary Clinton. There was a photo making the rounds of her eyeing Christine Aguilera's boobs.
In a society like ours women go mad, demanding free contraceptives not realizing that could make them open to allegations of being a slut. Other pressures lead to women stealing recipes, claiming to be fake Indians or attorneys, or on a clear day, screwing up the Middle East.
The Avenger| 10.11.12 @ 7:50AM
Real women should seriously consider which party is the one which demeans them. On the one side we have a party which wants and values strong independent women like Condi Rice, on the other side we have one who sees women as talking vaginas. Make your choice ladies.
spike59| 10.11.12 @ 4:15PM
The Republicans are encouraging women to vote with their brains; the Democrats urge them to vote with their 'lady parts'
Cobalt| 10.11.12 @ 8:39AM
Real women should understand that misogyny is alive and well in the Democratic Party.
Joellen| 10.11.12 @ 9:37AM
Tim, I am placing my entry now for the contest. The Book "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn". A great classic depicting an American family of Irish/Scottish Descent. The heroine is Katie who is a strong, independent and determined wife/mother who makes no excuses and just gets the job done. Her husband is weak and depends on the Democrat party and Union to help him alone. He never succeeds, she does. Even then (written in 1943; story line takes place in 1912) she understands how the Democrat party uses people like her husband to gain power. Recommend this book to all especially todays youth to show how many have struggled to get out of their lot by hard work and determination.
One more thing - Abortion kills woman in the womb and out (mentally, spirtually and even physcially). When people can honestly admit that is a fact, we will be on the right track to remove this evil blight from our civilization, as we did rightly so, the evil act of slavery.
KyMouse| 10.11.12 @ 11:00AM
Joellen, as someone who works part-time in a pro-life organization, I always marvel at the fact that few, if any, people who support "a woman's right to choose" provide financial help, or volunteer their time and talents, to mothers who choose to let their babies keep living.
There are approximately 4,000 pregnancy resource centers in our country, and all of them need funds and volunteers. Some volunteers lead Bible studies, prepare meals or mow the lawn -- whatever needs doing.
I've tried asking my "pro-choice" acquaintances to donate to such centers and maternity homes, but apparently, THAT isn't the choice they want to support.
One would think that women would claim to want to help other women would support pregnancy resource centers, in which pregnant women find a wide range of assistance.
I guess they just don't choose to help women who choose life.
So much for "sisterhood."
Pecos Pete| 10.11.12 @ 10:22AM
Recommendation: Melissa O'Sullivan for Secretary of HHS in the Romney Administration.
Melissa, thank you for an intelligent discussion.
irish19| 10.11.12 @ 11:15AM
I'll second that recommendation.
Nina in MA| 10.11.12 @ 10:24AM
These same women who demand respect and equality are the ones who walked around the DNC dressed as vaginas! Hey, don't look at me as a sex object...We're supposed to believe that they are smarter than the average person and yet put themselves in situations that are to say the least, risky and then scream sexual harrassment. The men/boys get punished and the women smirk....and then wonder when men DO NOT respect them...men get angry at the crossed signals...sexy dress, provocative costumes, swearing like a long shorman, hopping from bed to bed...but delicate little flowers? Uh...okay...
I find it hard to believe that the Lt. from Tailhook didn't have an idea of what she was up against when she entered that hallway...if she was going to be so upset, why did she go? Seems like she was setting the stage....
fmm| 10.11.12 @ 11:12AM
Cah anyone say "legitimate rape"?
Nina in MA| 10.11.12 @ 11:51AM
Is that what I said? Hmmm...or are you trying to be funny? No where did I say a thing about rape...no where did I say men have a "right" to assume a woman is willing just because she does the things I mentioned...I did however state that men are getting mixed messages and are angry because they are always being called dogs and yet women expect to be respected!....These "women" claim to want to be respected but walk around dressed like vaginas...gee, where do men get these ideas from? Why on earth would a Lt knowingly enter a hallway, and do not tell me she didn't have a clue what was going on in that hallway, and wow...she got groped by a bunch of drunken men! Why did she go there in the first place if not to cause trouble? and I mean claiming sexual harrassment by a bunch of drunks! It's called common sense...and if she's on the front lines, flying helicoptors and doesn't have enough sense to know what was going on in there, then maybe women shouldn't be in the military! Equality matters, eh? like she said, don't play the victim card and then expect special treatment!
JP| 10.11.12 @ 2:09PM
Nina,
There used to a type of female that loved to be groupies to the likes of the Tailhook pilots. They hung out at their watering hoes, and attended their conventions, etc... I don't believe they ever desired to be assaulted. But, they were naturally attracted to the testosterone. I think you can see the same thing outside of many Spec Ops watering holes. Of course, this is very un-PC. Most of these women litterally have bedded half of the USN pilots. Doesn't do much for marriages. But, such is the life of our military aviators -well used it used to be, anyway.
Nina in MA| 10.12.12 @ 11:44AM
If you can't hang with the big dogs, stay on the porch!
PolishKnight| 10.11.12 @ 11:25AM
What Melissa and other conservative women realize is that feminism was a movement that made women into (exploited) dupes of the left and undermined their actual independence and well being.
Before feminism in the days of chivalry, there were many empowered career women and women's history month reminds us of it. The reason why many women earned less was due less to discrimination but rather most women's desire for strong, masculine men to support them. Women can't have "equality" and also marry up. And even "equality" is an unsustainable situation where if a career woman is promoted at work, she emasculates her husband and if he's promoted ahead of her, he's "oppressing" women. And if neither of them go anywhere, their careers are stagnant.
As feminists forced millions of women into professional employment, they deflated wages (and their standard of living) and undermined the success of the serious career women previously who were there by choice. It's ironic that due to the expense of the welfare state and the expense of faux equality, career women probably earn less in take home pay than 50 years ago. But at least their men are earning less too! Whoo hoo! Those gals are smart!
Slacker| 10.11.12 @ 11:35AM
I find the idea of an Amazonian Squadron simply fascinating.
JP| 10.11.12 @ 2:04PM
As do our Muslim enemies. Can you imagine what awaits our Amazons if captured by Achmed the Fedayeen?
spike59| 10.11.12 @ 4:17PM
it's Achmed who needs to worry; in case you haven't noticed, the "achmeds" of the world absolutely SUCK at actual combat; which is why they prefer to blow up children
JP| 10.11.12 @ 6:49PM
Their doing pretty damn good job in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Philippines.
C. Vernon Crisler | 10.11.12 @ 12:33PM
Excellent article Melissa, but I think you have the same problem that Jeffrey Lord does.
Cobalt| 10.11.12 @ 3:47PM
To paraphrase an old saying, "less can be more."
Bill8472| 10.11.12 @ 1:42PM
When you consider the double standard of feminists regarding some thing being not OK in one context and then being OK somewhere else, just remember that "wherever you find a double standard, there's a single standard."
Feminism, like many another scam, seeks to obtain something for nothing. The answer to that is to "Just Say No" in the words of one well-known woman who made that remark some years ago.
JP| 10.11.12 @ 2:03PM
If Progressive American women think they have it so bad now, they should wait until Sharia Law kicks in. Come to think of it, if Sharia means that the likes of Sandra Fluke must wear burqas perhaps I will convert. You must admit it is tempting. But, then again I love bacon. Ah the choices: give up bacon and Pork Rinds, or clothing our Progressive ladies in tents?
Bill8472| 10.11.12 @ 3:50PM
For feminists, freedom and equality for women are secondary to the "right" political figure occupying the White House. For the past couple of generations, that person has been the person most likely to support women murdering unborn children for the sake of contraception.
nightsfire7| 10.23.12 @ 4:03PM
Feminism is chauvanism with a vagina. Women and men are equal....but women need to realize that we ARE different and be humble.
loosman| 10.11.12 @ 2:19PM
Welcome to AmSpec. A wise and witty voice from the heartland is always a treat.
Ed in CT| 10.11.12 @ 4:12PM
Nina is well spoken and makes a lot of sense.
megalass| 10.11.12 @ 5:54PM
Paula was not even a Tailhook member. Helo drivers had their own organization( and annual bacchanal). She did not attend in any official capacity. She crashed the party, agenda in tow. While there, she spent the night with a married man. She knew darn well what the gauntlet was. Everybody in Navy aviation did. She was on a political mission. Greg Bonam had to fight her lies and cancer at the same time. Everyone who knew him knew he was innocent...as it was later proved. I'm a woman. I despise chicks who play the Helen Reddy song one minute and then collapse into a puddle of tears the next. They make us all look bad. Unlike the Sinisterhood, I admire women of real accomplishment like Thatcher and Palin. Great piece Melissa.
Nina in MA| 10.12.12 @ 11:57AM
These women shriek for equality in all things and when they get it, shriek that they are "women". Mixed messages anyone? Who feels more threatened from an accomplished, smart, feminine woman...lib/dem/progs or men? I have to say it's probably lib/dems/progs.
nightsfire7| 10.23.12 @ 4:02PM
I've been saying this for years. I wish women near my age (26) understood this.
JD| 10.11.12 @ 6:27PM
Regarding the Fluke/Clayton comparison in the article, the key overriding point is that there's this powerful idea in American politics today that the litmus test for qualifying for other people's money should be proof of sufficient "need".
Since when do rational people think that resources must exist by virtue of there being "need"? Of course we know the answer - it's a world full of demand-side economists who think that need drives everything. But woe be unto anyone who accuses them of aligning with he who said "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need!"
Who Knows?| 10.11.12 @ 7:02PM
The elephant in the 2012 political room is race, not gender, although the latter has been maybe a baby elephant.
If Romney is tied at 47 to 47 with BHO with women, then I wonder what the rating is for non-black women.
Let’s do some rough math. About 17% of the population is black. Supposedly, Obama gets 95% of their approval.
That tells me that about 15% of the black women are for Obama, which leaves around 32% non-black. I wonder how many of THEM are Hispanic.
Yeah---taking into account the extreme percentage of blacks who favor Obama when all these polls bother us is NOT politically correct.
Why, can you imagine the charges of racism, if even a Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity went there?
Just to point this out would bring death threats, maybe.
nightsfire7| 10.23.12 @ 4:00PM
I am a native NYer, dietitian with a MS degree working in a hospital, wife, published writer, researcher, future mom and CONSERVATIVE. I am a woman and I vote with my brain. The democratic party is bad for women.