I decided a while back that I didn't want my blog to be a preachy place regarding my view on politics. I want it mainly to be a light hearted, but also honest when it comes to things I deal with.
With that said, this will be my only post about the elections. While I think Sarah Palin is a dynamic speaker and I've read some great things about what she has done, I'm also very sad about her decision to run for VP. One of the things I've become really passionate about since I've had Cameron is children's welfare. So it saddens me that Sarah is choosing a career path that will require her to spend immense amounts of time away from her young kids, especially her newborn, who I feel needs even more mommy bonding/love because of his special needs. This can't even be compared to just a regular full time job that many moms hold. This is a complete life change that will take her away for great lengths of time from the most important responsibility she has, her kids.
And for those who say, "Well, no one says that about Obama or another MALE who has young kids." My response? A mom is different. She just is. And some say, "So should she pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity and the chance to truly make history by becoming the first VP of the United States of America?" Sorry, but yes. Some things in life require great sacrifice.
10 comments:
You know, I said the same exact thing to Chris the other night - interesting though cuz I haven't heard it mentioned by anyone else. 5 children... 1 a newborn with Down's Syndrome. That's no easy job. It seems like nowadays people look at someone like that and the response is: "Wow, she's "superwoman!"
Is her husband a stay-at-home dad or what is their story? I don't really know.
Other than this, she would probably be fantastic. Lots of positives.
Kelly, I agree there is no one like Mom. Not only does that newborn baby need her but her teenage daughter going through pregnancy needs her and the other children dealing with their young lives need her...not the spotlight.
Susan, the reason you haven't heard it mentioned is because anyone who publicly says this is called sexist.
I agree & wish McCain had chosen someone else. (Palin would be great after her kids are grown.)
But, that said, I won't let that stop my voting for them...there are too many other BIG things at stake for the country not to, IMO (in my opinion--:o).
Kelly, while I really like Palin and I'm totally excited by the idea of a woman in high office I see your point of view entirely. One quick comment, though, on the "mom is different" argument. As a young child my dad worked six days a week at two different jobs so that my mom could stay home; we still really struggled. I only saw my dad a few hours every Sunday on his only day off as he got home well after I was in bed for the night. Honestly, I missed my dad a lot and would have preferred my mom to have worked during the day so I could have seen BOTH my parents each night and on the weekends. I think anyone with young kids needs to seriously consider the impact of their job on their kids..... and this is coming from a woman who does work full time. Just a thought.....
Susan's friend Heather
Kelly - You don't know me but I am a friend of a friend of a friend. Anyway, I am a stay-at-home mom as well, so I value this job as you do and know it is of utmost importance. I guess I feel it is not for us to really say what the Lord may be leading Palin to do and what He is calling her to. If she is a Christian as she claims to be, then we must trust that the Holy Spirit is active in her life and speaking to her. Who's to say that the next four years she will invest in this job won't make this world a better place for her children, or that the Lord won't use her still as an effective mother in their lives in this role?
My husband and my brother are both on the second deployments to Iraq right now. My sister-in-law and I are always sad that they cannot be physically present right now as our sons grow up. But we strongly feel that the Lord has called them to this and that even though they are missing some years of their sons lives, it would be wrong for them to not obey His calling to serve our country. We also believe that because the Lord has called them to this, that He will especially watch over our sons during this time and grow them up in amazing ways.
Thank you for talking about this - it is a very interesting subject.
Jenna
Another thought I had after a little more reading - is that for me, I think it's more of a parent issue. I mean that I'm not sure that it would be a wise move for Palin to run if she were a man either. Being the President/VP of the United States of America is a HUGE HUGE HUGE time / energy committment. It is a very unique job. There are hard hours... a lot of travel... intense publicity...
With a very young family plus a child with great special needs... I would wonder about a father OR mother running at this point in their family's life. Their family situation is a little more intense than most.
And yeah, I could see that maybe God has called her to this. And I do think she could possibly do a lot of good for the country.
That's a toughie! I guess we just pray and vote as we feel led.
=)
I feel very strongly that it is important for Moms to stay home. But most of the time when that subject comes up it's because the family needs 2 incomes and that would leave the kids in daycare or whatever.
Why can't Palins husband do as good as a job as she could staying home with the kids???
I think Palin is going to be great as VP and if God has a plan for her to serve our country then He will provide for the families needs.
I guess I feel this way because... I think Glen would be amazing if I was the bread winner and he stayed home with the kids.
I will start a thread with you on email about this one cause i'd love to talk more. Basically, i agree. But what is the alternative? (i mean, now that he's picked her, are we to vote for the other party on account of it?). Also, the folks picking her are picking based on the constituency, looking for a balance to the ticket, which she DOES offer. I was NOT excited about McCain prior to Saddleback, (but was going to vote for him by default), and when he picked Palin I was thrilled. I was not convinced McCain would move the country in certain directions, but when he brought her in, someone who is staunchly fiscally conservative (as i am), it made me VERY happy. But the mother in me knows that all working mothers are divided, and knows that she is sacrificing her children for the VP position, which is something she can never get back, ever. I am curious about her husband and if he will be a stay at home father. not much commercial fishing in DC.
Hey woman, I totally understand where you're coming from, but her husband is CHOOSING to be her partner and be a SAHD right now... Having spent my career in government/politics/public affairs, I'm STOKED to see a woman with my values be put in the spotlight. Clearly, her having a little one is going to be a challenge for her, but we never question men about their child-rearing when they're in the same position. Give them (the Palins) a chance and believe that they know how to make the best decisions for their family!!!
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