Two of the best legislators I know are Rosa DeLauro, a mavin on health care reform, and U.S. Representative for New Haven, CT and environs, and Mary Mushinsky, CT state representative from Wallingford, whose committee wrote the mental health part of the Sandy Hook bill after that tragic incident. Mary Mushinsky is currently the longest serving CT representative. Both have served long and hard in often hostile environments. I am proud to call them both my former representatives and Mary is also a friend.
Men can also be sensitive to women's and families's needs. One of them whom I'm privileged to have met is Senator Chris Murphy, also of CT. Like the women I mentioned, he is very knowledgeable on issues of health and mental health, among other things.
But women still take care of most family issues and therefore are better prepared to address these issues. Legislators who come from working- and middle-class homes have a better idea of what is need for family leave, child care and other family issues than those from upper class homes, where children are generally cared for by nannies and where the women may not work outside the home.
I'd love to see more women in governing bodies at every level.
Men can also be sensitive to women's and families's needs. One of them whom I'm privileged to have met is Senator Chris Murphy, also of CT. Like the women I mentioned, he is very knowledgeable on issues of health and mental health, among other things.
But women still take care of most family issues and therefore are better prepared to address these issues. Legislators who come from working- and middle-class homes have a better idea of what is need for family leave, child care and other family issues than those from upper class homes, where children are generally cared for by nannies and where the women may not work outside the home.
I'd love to see more women in governing bodies at every level.
18
Proud of my state.
13
When women finally get to 50% representation will that be enough? The answer is no. Like ALL liberal policies, there is no limit ever set. The goal is ALWAYS more, no matter what. More money to the poor. More benefits. More regulation. As always, liberal policies are imbalanced and unwise for a stable society.
4
The "rights" that seem to be inducing hysteria are the "right" to have other taxpayers pay for personal birth control and the "right" to have other taxpayers pay for abortions. Odd that those are "rights". To hate politicians because they feel that taxpayers should not pay for personal sexual and reproductive decisions is an odd principle upon which to base one's vote. It used to be called naked selfishness, but I guess its been elevated to a cause.
What's disturbing with the Times is its lack of diversity. Do they really give space to extremist low grade professors in Nevada? And if that's ok, why not find someone who disagrees so that readers can get a full spectrum of opinion. The Times used to be such a grand institution, but for the past 15 years it has become manifestly one-sided. I guess that's what happens when you have one family running the palce based on inheritance rather than merit.
What's disturbing with the Times is its lack of diversity. Do they really give space to extremist low grade professors in Nevada? And if that's ok, why not find someone who disagrees so that readers can get a full spectrum of opinion. The Times used to be such a grand institution, but for the past 15 years it has become manifestly one-sided. I guess that's what happens when you have one family running the palce based on inheritance rather than merit.
2
Most women are kinder , more thoughtful , and less prone to sending their sons9 or others) to be killed. I said most because every once in a while we come upon so haggard creature like Carle Florin that makes one ought that. None the less, if woman ran the world we would have more flower gardens and less grave yards, more humanity etc. Ladies you are 52% of the population , what are you waiting for? Entre Ms Warren.
12
Wait a minute. I'm missing something. It's okay to say that women are better at something regardless of whether it's true or not. But it's NEVER okay to say that *men* are better at something, regardless of whether it's true or not. That doesn't seem quite fair or logical, does it? I
Additionally it's not misogyny to question whether public funds should be used to subsidize the cost/exclude from taxation goods used by only one sex. There is real misogyny in the world but resisting making tampons tax free isn't misogynist.
Additionally it's not misogyny to question whether public funds should be used to subsidize the cost/exclude from taxation goods used by only one sex. There is real misogyny in the world but resisting making tampons tax free isn't misogynist.
8
Many advanced countries in the world require public restrooms to provide free sanitary products for women. The cost of these products drops a lot in bulk. Women can also create them by folding paper towels in restrooms. Women's groups need to get creative. This is another reason to provide paper towels rather than blowing germs all over the room to dry hands.
Building codes could be changed to require public restrooms to supply feminine products - pads and tampons - as well as toilet paper. They are both disposable paper products. Let's not blow this solvable issue out of proportion. It's not rocket science ! It's just a matter of comon sense and sanitation.
Building codes could be changed to require public restrooms to supply feminine products - pads and tampons - as well as toilet paper. They are both disposable paper products. Let's not blow this solvable issue out of proportion. It's not rocket science ! It's just a matter of comon sense and sanitation.
4
The Republican women's voting record shows that women must get more interested in voting independently of their spouse. They do not have an interest in the news and politics in general. Dems have done a better job of telling the Importance of women's issues.
Republican women voted over 90% as their husbands, they voted against their own best interest.
C'mon ladies the country needs your skills and your common sense.
Republican women voted over 90% as their husbands, they voted against their own best interest.
C'mon ladies the country needs your skills and your common sense.
9
We have one of the worse human beings on the planet sitting in the Oval Office right now, and THESE are the issues women think are of national importance right now?
This article was a relief to read. The "women's movement" has been evolving for many years. I think it has reached a breakout point, a point where the feminine energy and view regains its place in the One Humanity and brings us into a state of equilibrium. Humanity is a whole. It needs to be a balanced energy system in order to evolve into its next stage of manifestation... a planet where equality for all, including the environments, sanity, compassion a love of our incredible and beautiful differences are celebrated and encouraged rather than put into some kind of stupid values hierarchy.
Lets have more and more feminine energy in our governments not only from th women but from the men too. It's a kind of ENERGY. It's not necessarily sex related. Men can do it too if they can get over the male dominance insanity that has gripped us for so very long.
Lets have more and more feminine energy in our governments not only from th women but from the men too. It's a kind of ENERGY. It's not necessarily sex related. Men can do it too if they can get over the male dominance insanity that has gripped us for so very long.
7
The so-called president we got just made world-wide fools of US with his wild posturing against North Korea, when the aircraft carrier was actually sailing in the OPPOSITE direction!
Would Hillary have made that mistake???
Would Hillary have made that mistake???
19
As a 28 year old male in this country. I've seen enough to know that quite a fair number of men are horribly incompetent and dangerously short-sighted. Yet, through no accomplishment of their own other than deceit, being some elite's progeny or frat brother; attain positions of power and authority over other people's lives.
Indeed this recent election has proven how half the population is willing to bend over backwards and engage in a dizzying number of mental gymnastics to defend, sympathize, and forgive the obscenities, hypocrisy and buffoonery of a 70 year old man all for the sake of defending their precious white male privilege. After the successful election of the first African-American President, I'm certain their fragile psyches couldn't tolerate a woman immediately succeeding President Obama.
What's sadder are the women who seem to be okay with this status quo. Conditioned to believe their thoughts and words don't matter. A perpetual Stockholm Syndrome, in which they are taught that the needs of others come before theirs while men spend the day in pursuit of their happiness. I don't doubt many of these women live a satisfactory life, but I do doubt they've ever successfully convinced their husband or significant other to sacrifice for them so they too can pursue what their soul may be yearning.
Indeed this recent election has proven how half the population is willing to bend over backwards and engage in a dizzying number of mental gymnastics to defend, sympathize, and forgive the obscenities, hypocrisy and buffoonery of a 70 year old man all for the sake of defending their precious white male privilege. After the successful election of the first African-American President, I'm certain their fragile psyches couldn't tolerate a woman immediately succeeding President Obama.
What's sadder are the women who seem to be okay with this status quo. Conditioned to believe their thoughts and words don't matter. A perpetual Stockholm Syndrome, in which they are taught that the needs of others come before theirs while men spend the day in pursuit of their happiness. I don't doubt many of these women live a satisfactory life, but I do doubt they've ever successfully convinced their husband or significant other to sacrifice for them so they too can pursue what their soul may be yearning.
33
If the argument is that there's no meaningful difference between men and women, and that they can be equally good legislators, I'm all for it.
But if the argument is that they're different, and represent the interests of their gender, then - as a man - I don't want women in politics.
But if the argument is that they're different, and represent the interests of their gender, then - as a man - I don't want women in politics.
9
Really? But you've been okay with the millennia of men governing for men alone? This is about bringing balance to a system that is way, way out of whack. Your comment is like saying, "Wait a second, if poor people are going to look out for themselves, I'm going to stick with what I've known my whole life - rich people rigging the game to favor themselves! Yes, that I'm comfortable with."
23
The person who has the best qualifications should legislate. It should not be based on one's gender. The voters will decide who they want to govern and may the best man or woman win.
5
of course, but the issue is also how many women are in the pipeline preparing to run for office, to develop those qualifications and then present those to the voters to decide on. Voters have been offered mostly male candidates in the 1st place. And for president, we are way behind many other countries that have already had women leaders.
6
Of course, having more gender equality in politics changes our political norms. But look at the large % of women who voted for a man for president who insults and sexually assaults women. What distorted norms are they following?
There are many countries with a higher percentage of women in their legislatures than the US has. They also have more progressive social democracies that support health care, and protections for workers and for families and children.
There are also many nations that have elected women leaders. The US stands out as backward. Just the opposite of its self image.
We need to analyze the reasons for this. What is blocking the US from gender equality in politics?
There are many countries with a higher percentage of women in their legislatures than the US has. They also have more progressive social democracies that support health care, and protections for workers and for families and children.
There are also many nations that have elected women leaders. The US stands out as backward. Just the opposite of its self image.
We need to analyze the reasons for this. What is blocking the US from gender equality in politics?
12
Warren 2020!
( Too bad we didn't have Warren 2016...or Bernie 2016, for that matter. Both clearly showed they genuinely cared about the often-ignored working-class voters. Either would have taken some of those despairing working-class votes from Trump.)
( Too bad we didn't have Warren 2016...or Bernie 2016, for that matter. Both clearly showed they genuinely cared about the often-ignored working-class voters. Either would have taken some of those despairing working-class votes from Trump.)
3
When I voted in the presidential election here in Oklahoma, the only woman on the ballot was Mrs. Clinton. Not one woman for a judgeship, county commissioner, city commissioner, state or national legislature. Hope I see more in the future.
13
Lets make all taxes fair based on what sex uses the most. MEN can start paying for all the prisons, Courts and law enforcement and bombs. This is what they prioritize and use much more than women. Women will support the tampon tax.
26
Agreed: and since women live five years longer than men, then women foot the medical bills for those five years (which are really expensive, end-of-life costs).
1
This is a good article, but why does the artwork have to resemble a vagina? We don't make penis artwork for articles about men.
7
It would be nice to see more Republican women running for higher office and bringing a bit of the feminine touch to politics. Someone like Marsha Blackburn, Comgresswoman from Tennessee, comes to mind. She is bright, articulate and yet has retained that feminine appeal. I do wish she would consider running for President. She would receive both the votes of men and women.
3
Brittany! There is a great backstory to women in politics in Nevada that dates back to the late 70s and continues until today. Jill Derby, Jean Ford, Mary Coffey, Pam Bugge, Shannon Fitzgerald and many more independent, strong-willed women worked bi-partisan through the Nevada Women's Political Caucus to elect women to public office. The stories we could tell........Great story, Brittany. Thx for writing.
10
So, women get elected and their thoughts run to cheaper tampons and no co-pay for birth control? Surely we can do better than that. How about affordable housing, subsidized child care, nutrition, public education improvements, increased income subsidies to older women living in poverty? These are the tough issues and those on which women could make a huge impact.
4
Have to start somewhere. And I think choosing between food and tampons may not be a significant issue to you, but it is to poor women.
10
It amazes me that this piece is controversial.
15
I like your op-ed, Brittany, appreciate your having written it, and am hopeful that it describes a better future for all of us. I'm perturbed, however, that an English professor would refer to "the discrepancy in the amount of men and women who run" rather than in the number of men and women who run and would craft a sentence that talks about repairing irreparable damage. One comment (from a man) says, "Anything men can do women can do better". Until we change the world, women, including myself, must hold ourselves to high standards when making our case.
5
So, this is simply identity politics on an expanded basis? I don't see any responsible legislation being proposed, simply those that address that constituencies concerns. Of course the rest of us are expected to pay for it and if we complain, we are to be labeled Misogynists and possibly racists .. Got it
4
This is yet another article which approvingly cites to research that purports to show that women generally are likelier to have certain traits that anyone would deem positive or desirable. In this case, the research is said to show that "they often are more compassionate . . . more willing to compromise".
Yet if this is true, surely some research must also show that women are likelier to have negative or undesirable character traits, or conversely, that men are likelier to have certain positive or desirable traits. If not, then women are equal to men along all measurable dimensions, except along those dimensions in which they excel.
However, even hypothesizing some gender differences in which women might be on the short end of the comparison cost then-Harvard President Larry Summers his job.
In the end, it appears that this piece traffics in all too common "good sexism," while trying to stamping out "bad sexism."
Yet if this is true, surely some research must also show that women are likelier to have negative or undesirable character traits, or conversely, that men are likelier to have certain positive or desirable traits. If not, then women are equal to men along all measurable dimensions, except along those dimensions in which they excel.
However, even hypothesizing some gender differences in which women might be on the short end of the comparison cost then-Harvard President Larry Summers his job.
In the end, it appears that this piece traffics in all too common "good sexism," while trying to stamping out "bad sexism."
7
....after women got the vote, social programs exploded,
and the men ended up paying vastly increased taxes.
- So much for equality.
Just a rip off.
"Gender equality" is feminist code for subjugation of men.
--This week's National Geographic says it all.
On their lead article on 'Genius', the writer , a woman, stated that it
was " Unsettling " that all the geniuses she could unearth were
white males.
"Unsettling " to whom , one may ask ?
and the men ended up paying vastly increased taxes.
- So much for equality.
Just a rip off.
"Gender equality" is feminist code for subjugation of men.
--This week's National Geographic says it all.
On their lead article on 'Genius', the writer , a woman, stated that it
was " Unsettling " that all the geniuses she could unearth were
white males.
"Unsettling " to whom , one may ask ?
The last 2 paragraphs need a re-write. For one: treating the ability to push bils into law as a good for women and men is simplistic. GOP success in its goals to restore the international aid gag-rule or repealing the ACA would count as "effective." Would that leave people people better off? Obstruction of each would be rated as less "effective" but would also be for the good.
The paragraphs also reflect only one part the findings of the study cited. It shows women the US House minority party as more effective than men in the same party at pushing bills into law -- but also somewhat less effective than men when both are in the majority party. The study's data set is dated because it ends with 2006-7.
"An increased presence of women in elected offices will not only advance gender equity, it will subsequently help men, because women lawmakers are proving to be, across all the issues — women’s or not — more productive lawmakers."
The paragraphs also reflect only one part the findings of the study cited. It shows women the US House minority party as more effective than men in the same party at pushing bills into law -- but also somewhat less effective than men when both are in the majority party. The study's data set is dated because it ends with 2006-7.
"An increased presence of women in elected offices will not only advance gender equity, it will subsequently help men, because women lawmakers are proving to be, across all the issues — women’s or not — more productive lawmakers."
2
In fairness to the GOP:I could have mentioned Mitch McConnell's Obama era opposition as highly effective as well in achieving his goals. He'd be rated as ineffective by the terms of the study cited. Ms. Bronson used the word in a different sense without spelling out the change in her meaning.
Identity politics is what keep the electorate polarized (and enables those in power to stay in power). I'm not sure how many of us feel that cheaper tampons is a pressing issue, but I'm sure we all agree that our health care system needs a dramatic overhaul. Let's tackle the big issues that affect all of us.
4
"These are not the talking points of a ladies’ happy hour." No, they are benefits which cost real money. And the people who demand that someone else (i.e.; taxpaying businesses and individuals) pay for them are just another ripple in the progressive wave that will bankrupt the U.S.. When do people wake up and recognize that the so called "rich" can't afford the $ trillions in benefits progressives are determined that others should provide, no questions asked?
5
Yet we can afford trillions for endless war?
7
But they can afford the trillions paid for unused military equipment to military contractors?
And they have no problem with billions of tax break giveaways to mega wealthy who don't re-invest but rather sock it away in the Caymans? Great investment of our taxes for American majority, right?
And they have no problem with billions of tax break giveaways to mega wealthy who don't re-invest but rather sock it away in the Caymans? Great investment of our taxes for American majority, right?
Most likely we would spend less taxpayer $$$ on everlasting wars in other countries. Then we could use the difference for trumps infrastructure promise.
8
Do men vote against women because of their gender or their political philosophies? Not sure if you could measure how those men who were committed Palin supporters in 2008 and afterwards felt about the gender issue then compared to how the same men felt in 2016.
1
When women vote and legislate, one thing and one thing only consistently happens: women get more free stuff, and the welfare state expands.
The author states, bizarrely, that somehow this will be good for MEN, because female legislators are more "productive." Well, I would like them to keep their productivity off of my wallet. In the U.S., men already pay two and a half times more in taxes than women. 71 cents of every tax dollar is paid by men; only 29 cents by women. Meanwhile, women consume 2.5 times more in tax benefits than men. Indeed, women consume more in health and welfare benefits than they pay in; in other words, women pay NO net taxes over their lifetimes. Only men pay in more than they take out. Women are a net drain on the tax base--a tax base funded, essentially, entirely by men.
So, no, I'm not impressed with the job that women legislators do. Women should be represented in legislatures in proportion to what they contribute in blood and treasure to the economy. Register for the draft, constitute 50% of combat deaths, and pay your fair share of taxes. Until then, frankly, women are way over represented in positions of power, and will continue to make extraordinarily parochial, self-interested decisions.
Coming soon to a legislature near you: Three days per month paid menstruation leave. Don't laugh, guys, it's happening now in Italy--another country known for its high proportion of female lawmakers and its world-beating economy.
The author states, bizarrely, that somehow this will be good for MEN, because female legislators are more "productive." Well, I would like them to keep their productivity off of my wallet. In the U.S., men already pay two and a half times more in taxes than women. 71 cents of every tax dollar is paid by men; only 29 cents by women. Meanwhile, women consume 2.5 times more in tax benefits than men. Indeed, women consume more in health and welfare benefits than they pay in; in other words, women pay NO net taxes over their lifetimes. Only men pay in more than they take out. Women are a net drain on the tax base--a tax base funded, essentially, entirely by men.
So, no, I'm not impressed with the job that women legislators do. Women should be represented in legislatures in proportion to what they contribute in blood and treasure to the economy. Register for the draft, constitute 50% of combat deaths, and pay your fair share of taxes. Until then, frankly, women are way over represented in positions of power, and will continue to make extraordinarily parochial, self-interested decisions.
Coming soon to a legislature near you: Three days per month paid menstruation leave. Don't laugh, guys, it's happening now in Italy--another country known for its high proportion of female lawmakers and its world-beating economy.
7
Citation needed. Thanks in advance.
13
The entire structure of our society was designed to make and keep women dependent on men. Social and economic policies cater to men.
Women still earn at best 80 cents on the dollar that men earn.
Women still earn at best 80 cents on the dollar that men earn.
8
The fact that two women leaders have been thrown out of office this year suggests that they are just as corrupt or moreso than men.
Good luck with that.
Good luck with that.
7
NO, MR. Bingham. It does not. It proves the LIES, LIES, LIES hate-anger-fear machine, owned and operated by The Mafia Model Top 1% Global Financial Elite Robber Baron/ Radical Religion Good Old Boys' Party/ Corporate Cabal decided to destroy them.
They hate women.
They hate women.
9
Apparently, the bills that these Democratic women are proposing are based upon group-think identity politics, proving that the candidates were correct when they assumed that they were unqualified.
If they used “women’s history month” – a truly silly concept to begin with – as an excuse to highlight the “gender wage gap” – a leftist fairy tale – they again demonstrated their lack of qualifications.
Consider: the NV sales tax applies to just about everything, including diapers, automobiles, soap, shoes, school supplies, toilet paper, clothing, and appliances. But the identity-obsessed aver that not exempting products women use is an anti-woman “pink tax”. Is taxing diapers anti-baby? Or, indeed, since women traditionally own more shoes than do men, is that a “pink tax”, too?
No copay on birth control? Makes sense, as leftists believe that everything should be “free”.
The depth of this whiny, “poor me; I’m a victim” silliness knows no bounds. And no one who misuses the word “misogyny” – hatred of women? Really? – can be taken seriously.
The blatant, rank sexism – “women are more productive lawmakers” – is astonishing.
I suppose it's not surprising that there was no mention of any proposal from any of the subject legislators to cut taxes and spending, or rein in the size, scope, and expense of government, which would benefit everyone in NV. Apparently, only leftist policy counts as pro-woman.
If they used “women’s history month” – a truly silly concept to begin with – as an excuse to highlight the “gender wage gap” – a leftist fairy tale – they again demonstrated their lack of qualifications.
Consider: the NV sales tax applies to just about everything, including diapers, automobiles, soap, shoes, school supplies, toilet paper, clothing, and appliances. But the identity-obsessed aver that not exempting products women use is an anti-woman “pink tax”. Is taxing diapers anti-baby? Or, indeed, since women traditionally own more shoes than do men, is that a “pink tax”, too?
No copay on birth control? Makes sense, as leftists believe that everything should be “free”.
The depth of this whiny, “poor me; I’m a victim” silliness knows no bounds. And no one who misuses the word “misogyny” – hatred of women? Really? – can be taken seriously.
The blatant, rank sexism – “women are more productive lawmakers” – is astonishing.
I suppose it's not surprising that there was no mention of any proposal from any of the subject legislators to cut taxes and spending, or rein in the size, scope, and expense of government, which would benefit everyone in NV. Apparently, only leftist policy counts as pro-woman.
6
"No copay on birth control? Makes sense, as leftists believe that everything should be “free”."
Birth control, with or without a co-pay, isn't "free." I pay for it with the health insurance premiums I pay. Does that resolve your confusion, and more importantly, your anger?
Birth control, with or without a co-pay, isn't "free." I pay for it with the health insurance premiums I pay. Does that resolve your confusion, and more importantly, your anger?
16
Yes, I agree that " Increased gender representation directly translates into better consideration of women in the drafting of law and policy."
However, on a broader scale women tend to have stronger social consciences and to want social/economic justice for all. Women and men sharing power will balance the societal model and free us from the war-death-destruction-win at all costs male dominant model.
NOW is the time for women to step up and take one-half the power in the world - BEFORE the most predatory Robber Barons can cause WW3.
However, on a broader scale women tend to have stronger social consciences and to want social/economic justice for all. Women and men sharing power will balance the societal model and free us from the war-death-destruction-win at all costs male dominant model.
NOW is the time for women to step up and take one-half the power in the world - BEFORE the most predatory Robber Barons can cause WW3.
10
Fertility Fetish Feminism, please stop it already! Sisters, go volunteer in a soup kitchen, and leave my vagina and breasts to myself, please.
7
You go volunteer, JY, and take your precious breasts and vagina with you. All women have them and the vast majority of us will decide what WE each do with them.
10
I'm part of FB groups like "Childfree By Choice" and "Stop Making Babies." One reason the religious and political Right are busy taking away women's reproductive rights is that they are 'pro-natalist.' They want an endlessly growing population (esp. if those babies are white, and/or grow up to be docile, unquestioning worker drones).
Politicians want to create a new generation of voters to appeal to. Religions want to more and more children born into their faith so they can reproduce a new in-house generation of believers. Any woman who doesn't marry and breed is seen as a freak, even today. Read "the God Virus by Darrell" to see how this works.
Politicians want to create a new generation of voters to appeal to. Religions want to more and more children born into their faith so they can reproduce a new in-house generation of believers. Any woman who doesn't marry and breed is seen as a freak, even today. Read "the God Virus by Darrell" to see how this works.
3
Please, someone take over from us middle aged white guys. We've been running this planet into the ground since before time began.
18
"the discrepancy in the amount of men and women who run."
This is the kind of error that, although it has become irritatingly rampant, I had hoped the Times would not fall into.
Anything that can be counted should be expressed thus: "the discrepancy in the NUMBER of men and women who run." NOT amount, since men and women can be counted.
This is such an elementary error and one that a seasoned writer should not make. But are there no copyeditors or proofreaders??
This is the kind of error that, although it has become irritatingly rampant, I had hoped the Times would not fall into.
Anything that can be counted should be expressed thus: "the discrepancy in the NUMBER of men and women who run." NOT amount, since men and women can be counted.
This is such an elementary error and one that a seasoned writer should not make. But are there no copyeditors or proofreaders??
8
"Too much focus on gender can decrease the breadth of female candidates’ appeal and their electability, but gender equity has proved impossible to achieve without women’s voices championing it."
The real problem with gender politics is that maleness has always been the norm for human, and females have always been at least one or two standard deviations away from that. We need to re-set the norm.
The real problem with gender politics is that maleness has always been the norm for human, and females have always been at least one or two standard deviations away from that. We need to re-set the norm.
14
The Second Sex, anyone?
Economists have shown that when females head the household and control the finances, more money is funneled to supporting the entire household in the form of childrens' educations, dwelling upkeep, and entrepreneurship.
Economists have conversely shown that when men head the household and control the finances, more money is funneled into the mens' personal interests; their hobbies and addictions.
That's on the micro- level. Imagine what the difference could be on the macro level. Actually, you don't have to imagine because there are countries which mandate a balance of genders in legislative halls. And the evidence bears this out as true...
Women's issues are family issues, and family issues are human issues.
Economists have conversely shown that when men head the household and control the finances, more money is funneled into the mens' personal interests; their hobbies and addictions.
That's on the micro- level. Imagine what the difference could be on the macro level. Actually, you don't have to imagine because there are countries which mandate a balance of genders in legislative halls. And the evidence bears this out as true...
Women's issues are family issues, and family issues are human issues.
28
If a state decides to exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products from the sales tax I have no issue with that. But calling it a "tampon tax" is disingenuous, for that implies it is a tax specifically on tampons. There is no such thing, but most states do have a general sales tax which covers all items, including tampons. You wouldn't call the general sales tax a "condom tax" because it taxes the sale of condoms, which are predominately purchased by men.
4
The editorial on "What Happens When Women Legislate?" is insightful and inspiring. Getting women into state houses and supporting them so they succed at the job and in representing women's agendas has been and continues to be a challenging journey. This opinion piece celebrating the Nevada story provides a wonderful blue print for gender equity in politics and an appreciable nod to "Emerge" which is making a difference county by county and state by state,
6
When women have too much political power, the society collapses due to their affinity for compassion and security. For instance, many European countries are revoltingly diverse, and barely legitimate states. To be fair, it is also democracy itself that causes these things, so it's not entire on women.
The excesses of male governance are largely exaggerated in the modern age, and it is patriarchal rule that should be enforced throughout the world.
The excesses of male governance are largely exaggerated in the modern age, and it is patriarchal rule that should be enforced throughout the world.
3
Voting is a political decision, a matter of raw preference: we enter the voting booth, draw the curtain, and vote for whomever we want for whatever reason we have. If we vote for a candidate partly or even mostly because she is a woman, we are entitled to do so. I've certainly voted for female politicians.
Employment decisions, on the other hand, are governed by the civil rights laws, which command nondiscrimination against any person based on race, gender, etc. My concern is that many on the left ignore this distinction between that which is political and that which is governed by law, assuming that in politics, hiring, and every other sphere, we are always entitled to do whatever we can get away with for women. This is the kind of purist, rigid thinking that drives many of us liberal men away from the cause of women.
Remember the golden rule and the social contract: treat others as you would be treated. If you would not consent to being passed over for a job based on your gender when you're unemployed, then you have no right to treat others that way. If you do, you have no legitimate complaint if it happens to you or other members of the gender you favor.
Employment decisions, on the other hand, are governed by the civil rights laws, which command nondiscrimination against any person based on race, gender, etc. My concern is that many on the left ignore this distinction between that which is political and that which is governed by law, assuming that in politics, hiring, and every other sphere, we are always entitled to do whatever we can get away with for women. This is the kind of purist, rigid thinking that drives many of us liberal men away from the cause of women.
Remember the golden rule and the social contract: treat others as you would be treated. If you would not consent to being passed over for a job based on your gender when you're unemployed, then you have no right to treat others that way. If you do, you have no legitimate complaint if it happens to you or other members of the gender you favor.
1
If you need to ask why there should be equal representation of women and men in the legislature then you need to ask what roles are played by women in society. They bear children and often raise them alone, feed and clothe them alone, house them alone, work multiple jobs to do so alone without feeling the least bit sorry for themselves. The women of the world do the heavy lifting while men make most of the decisions concerning their welfare and that of their offspring. When a mother works she is assuming another task to add to those she already has. That men need to be educated about this shows their lack of concern for over half of the human race. If you have a difficult job to get done, ask a woman! Try walking in her shoes for a week to fully understand this fact. Misogyny is alive and thriving as witness the last election in the US. I urge women to take control of this situation and run for office. Let men understand the female side of life as lived in this country; only a woman can do that.
14
If your uber woman is the one to call when a difficult job needs to get done, then why on earth has she allowed the most difficult job of all - the structure and governance of society - to be performed by an inferior minority?
"Allowing" men to run and mess the world up is not to be assumed; males have physical and therefore political power to subjugate women in all patriarchal societies. Matriarchal societies make more sense and work better on a human (if not material) level.
2
Women do the heavy lifting?
That would be news to all the bricklayers, construction workers, pipefitters, coal miners, electricians, carpenters, loggers, firemen, and roofers that I know.
But that kind of work is often invisible to women. They take it for granted.
That would be news to all the bricklayers, construction workers, pipefitters, coal miners, electricians, carpenters, loggers, firemen, and roofers that I know.
But that kind of work is often invisible to women. They take it for granted.
1
Good God,some men are still making the sorts of comments you see here which put forth a tenor that women's issues should be disparaged as matters of lesser importance.
How myopic. How small-minded. How unrealistic.
Issues relating to gender equality improve the lives of women and families (and families embrace a good number of men, of course). Issues relating to human reproduction and sexuality relate to matters of interest to both men and women. Why are those concepts so hard to grasp?
Methinks, misogyny is the word.
How myopic. How small-minded. How unrealistic.
Issues relating to gender equality improve the lives of women and families (and families embrace a good number of men, of course). Issues relating to human reproduction and sexuality relate to matters of interest to both men and women. Why are those concepts so hard to grasp?
Methinks, misogyny is the word.
17
I have always assumed, as a 73-year-old feminist, that many male voters fear that if women come to govern in equal numbers, that it will be payback time against men. It doesn't work out that way because we don't want to redress the past. We simply want to move forward into a future of equality and mutual respect.
8
“They realize they can apply the skills from their work environments, from their involvement in their children’s schools, to the political process.”
Let's hope this trumps the idiotic mantra that only billionaires have the skills.
As though election is an automatic makeover--from self-centered to other-centered.
Politicians who are other-centered!! Imagine that.
Let's hope this trumps the idiotic mantra that only billionaires have the skills.
As though election is an automatic makeover--from self-centered to other-centered.
Politicians who are other-centered!! Imagine that.
4
Good people... we had a chance. more than a good chance. Democrats didn't show up.
Next time, vote!
Next time, vote!
10
We did vote. She won by 3 million votes - do the names/terms Putin, Comey and voter suppression ring a bell? Democrats did vote. Instead of "good people" try stupid people who wanted to "protest."
7
That's a tired old canard. The reasons for the Democrats losing are multiple and complex and can't be reduced to one cause. Only now are some of them coming out. One hopes that Comey at the FBI do the right thing. And the one thing we all can do is advocate for an independent prosecutor for what I see as Trump's treachery with the Russians. BYW, Russia just reduced protections for women from wife battering. So here again, we see women disempowered, just as we will be here in the US when birth control is made more difficult for women to obtain and abortion is outlawed.
2
low voter turnout is a much bigger problem for democrats.
1
I would love it if people of all sexes and genders stopped using the word "ladies" to refer to women and girls.
8
I want to "like" this a thousand times. There was a group of anti-feminists called Ladies Against Women. Members were perfectly content to settle for paternalistic treatment from their spouses in exchange for upper-class homes and life styles. This meant they conveniently forgot about working class women who could make no such bargain (sellout?) and wouldn't do it even if they could.
7
I would very much prefer a more even distribution of politicians across all genders and orientations. Speaking as one white cisgendered male, white male dominated politics has become a liability of narrow interests focusing on the status quo that puts that group on top and everyone else into a different cast. I will gladly support more women on the Democratic side with money and my vote.
11
Gender discrimination tends to make one aware of the discrimination others experience. Not always, of course. Women are not a monolithic group any more than any other category of humanity.
Awareness of the impact on others of the denial of full citizenship, dignity, control of one's health, equal pay, or even having an uninterrupted discussion at a meeting or in the Supreme Court - all these experiences inform women as public officials to the benefit of all of us. It is called empathy.
Awareness of the impact on others of the denial of full citizenship, dignity, control of one's health, equal pay, or even having an uninterrupted discussion at a meeting or in the Supreme Court - all these experiences inform women as public officials to the benefit of all of us. It is called empathy.
5
Are women in power more compassionate, more willing to compromise?
On the jury, Catherine the Great of Russia, Elizabeth the First of England, and Golda Meir of Israel. The first witness, Boudica of the Celts.
On the jury, Catherine the Great of Russia, Elizabeth the First of England, and Golda Meir of Israel. The first witness, Boudica of the Celts.
6
Oh, please how male of you. About Bodica: "Boudica was a queen of the British Celtic Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire in AD 60 or 61, and died shortly after its failure. Fighting for one's country is just a "male" prerogative?
As for the rest of these women, let's add the following women to the jury: Joan of Arc, Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, and Empress Theodora for starters.
As for the rest of these women, let's add the following women to the jury: Joan of Arc, Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, and Empress Theodora for starters.
7
The notion that women in powerful positions are equally warlike to men is worthy of discussion. But said women were responding to the times. HRC Clinton as president would have known how to deal with Putin. He hates her because she soundly took his inventory more than once. She knows all the international leaders around the world, the nations, their issues, the personalities, religious, political and economic issues they face.
What women leaders want is to serve, at least on the Democratic side. Palin, and company, want attention, want to be 'junior men' and get patted on the head by the Old Guard.
What women leaders want is to serve, at least on the Democratic side. Palin, and company, want attention, want to be 'junior men' and get patted on the head by the Old Guard.
3
CBD212 - I quite agree, there is no strictly male prerogative involved in fighting for one's country. My point is that historical evidence leads me to believe that there is no gender-based difference at all between males and females in powerful situations. Each gender has produced compassionate, compromise-loving leaders and ones who would not be swayed from a single-minded pursuit of their goals.
"Bringing more Republican women into the fold could play an enormous role in repairing some of the irreparable damage done by Donald Trump’s candidacy when it comes to how the party talks about women." True, but what woman in her right mind would want to run as a Republican? Just asking.
8
Lots have!
I see many male commenters here criticizing no tax on tampons because only women use them. Why then should women pay the same Federal and State income tax as it is MEN who use most of the Prison money, Court money and police enforcement?
28
Maybe with more women in leadership positions and politics we can phase out the male and antiquated activity - war. Quality of life, economic and scientific progress is the measure to the future.
10
Right. Because the Israeli women would be ever so much more kind and gentle to Palestinian women than their male counterparts. The Turkish and Kurdish women could work it all out. The Indian women would never be racist to Nigerian women.
Yup. Women would never start wars or hold on to racial/ethnic/religious privilege.
Yup. Women would never start wars or hold on to racial/ethnic/religious privilege.
"Studies also show that although female politicians have a wide range of positions, they often are more compassionate, better at working across the aisle and more willing to compromise, qualities intricately bound in successful policymaking."
Amazingly, these are also traits that Republicans hate in their lawmakers, male or female. It's OK to pay lip service to these qualities, and accuse the other side of lacking them; but any Republican who actually tries to practice them is swiftly punished by the party and, often, his or her own constituents.
Amazingly, these are also traits that Republicans hate in their lawmakers, male or female. It's OK to pay lip service to these qualities, and accuse the other side of lacking them; but any Republican who actually tries to practice them is swiftly punished by the party and, often, his or her own constituents.
6
We men must absolutely stop this trend, NOW! Otherwise we may end up with a more compassionate society, i.e. reasonable gun control, Universal Health Care, better schools, etc.
14
Why not put the first two paragraphs first. I thought this article was trivializing women's role in politics until the end. Many people won't read that far.
I wouldn't take anything out of the article, the information is good, I would refocus and rearrange it to make it clear that women can have balanced interest. Don't bring up the tampons first, the article doesn't recover from that.
I wouldn't take anything out of the article, the information is good, I would refocus and rearrange it to make it clear that women can have balanced interest. Don't bring up the tampons first, the article doesn't recover from that.
4
Sounds like a good plan for the right women.
5
We need more women legislators whose fathers and spouses are unknown.
We need more women legislators who look like Carol Moseley Braun and Kamala Harris.
We need more women legislators who look like Carol Moseley Braun and Kamala Harris.
8
LOL, lets kill the Country while we are at it.
3
America's latest Presidential choice is clearly the worst one that I can recall.
Our Nation won't be recovering from the debacle for decades.
Our Nation won't be recovering from the debacle for decades.
9
There has actually been a major success story in the past decade per women in elected office - GOP Congressional Representatives and Governors. Most of them advocate for heinous policies that harm the weakest among us.
For good reason, much of the larger discourse around these issues has evolved beyond the Sheryl Sandberg-style view that if a few women are elevated to the positions of greatest power, it'll benefit all women. Let's focus on how the worst among us are doing, not the most powerful - and that means measuring success by how the most vulnerable women are treated instead of how many women are in Congress or boardrooms. Unfortunately there just isn't much sign that the two are correlated. Although it'd be fantastic to get some super progressive women in positions of prominence.
For good reason, much of the larger discourse around these issues has evolved beyond the Sheryl Sandberg-style view that if a few women are elevated to the positions of greatest power, it'll benefit all women. Let's focus on how the worst among us are doing, not the most powerful - and that means measuring success by how the most vulnerable women are treated instead of how many women are in Congress or boardrooms. Unfortunately there just isn't much sign that the two are correlated. Although it'd be fantastic to get some super progressive women in positions of prominence.
6
Women and men have much to gain from utilizing perspectives and talents from both sexes, equally. It seems like we are limping along with half of humanity (women) dragging along instead of pulling our weight.
Trust Women. We love men and women. After all the Mother loves all her children...
Trust Women. We love men and women. After all the Mother loves all her children...
1
Like so many pieces about gender, this piece argues that social science shows women are likelier to have an array of the best human qualities: "they often are more compassionate . . . more willing to compromise". Similar statements about the virtue of women in the workplace have been made too. Yet in my experience, some of the ugliest, least compassionate, most greedy behavior has been taken by women in positions of leadership. Do women deserve an equal shot at being leaders? Yes. Should we really expect that women in power will behave in markedly different ways than men? No.
13
Lets find out.
6
You can visit any CVS or Duane Reade and buy inexpensive birth control. There is a whole section devoted to these products in full view. You are free to purchase as much as you like.
4
Over 50 % of white women voters chose Trump. Is abuse that systemic?
Do you think there is anything even a little bit sexist about saying women are more capable than men? Is a double standard really OK?
28
The author is giving you facts. Deal with it.
9
I don't believe she's trying to say women are more capable, but they are more likely to serve the half of their constituents that usually go ignored.
12
It's not a matter of more capable it's a matter of capable at what exactly? We each have our perspectives and we will do better working together than attempting to dominate and control women. It's the system and it's called patriarchy and it's not really serving women or men at this point.
6
A balance of power is needed in Congress and women can inject a new perspective on legislation. This is why it is important to have diversity within any organization. As one commentator said here, women do have power as voters. But they need to be part of the government to have better lives. Laws are passed not with them in mind but rather with punishing them for wanting a career or not having a large family. So long as women are not part of the process, women will continue to feel second. An insecurity that has unfortunately prevented them from breaking glass ceilings in every profession. Too bad we don't have more women in our top government positions today including the military. We definitely need some realistic vision of a future for our children instead we may be close to shortening their lifespan by War, deregulating the EPA, contaminating their water supply, not caring for the mental wellness, and not educating them to name a few.
7
Women are often put in the position of seeing men's points of view on things. Men tend to dismiss women's points of view on things because they don't have to deal with the effects of their decisions. As a woman I've experienced men deciding that they know better than I what the effects of their decisions will be and telling me that "things will be fine, you're just an alarmist" until things are not fine. As a woman I've been told, when I've been in physical pain, that it's all in my head or it's just that time of the month so shut up. I've sat in on meetings where my and other women's suggestions were ignored or overridden until a man made the same ones.
I won't say that women are always easier to work with. But I will say that women tend to think more broadly than men when it comes to the implications of a decision. We have to because we are the ones who care for the family, aging parents, the home, and sometimes, if we're able to, ourselves. The implications that we are not capable of deciding what's right for us and our families are insulting to us as adults and as women. But men keep right on doing it with the way they downplay harassment on the job, domestic abuse, rape, our need to control our reproductive lives, society's need for affordable high quality day care for children and seniors. Men legislate but women have to deal with the results.
I won't say that women are always easier to work with. But I will say that women tend to think more broadly than men when it comes to the implications of a decision. We have to because we are the ones who care for the family, aging parents, the home, and sometimes, if we're able to, ourselves. The implications that we are not capable of deciding what's right for us and our families are insulting to us as adults and as women. But men keep right on doing it with the way they downplay harassment on the job, domestic abuse, rape, our need to control our reproductive lives, society's need for affordable high quality day care for children and seniors. Men legislate but women have to deal with the results.
39
Tampax and breast pumps. Worthy topics for attention.
But it plays into some bad stereotypes to feature these as what what women focus on once in office.
But it plays into some bad stereotypes to feature these as what what women focus on once in office.
14
Wow. Never been to Nevada, might give it a try. You BET.
8
It is great if you like gambling. Once was enough for me.
They also just legalized recreational cannabis.
2
I'd like to challenge the perception that underpins this story-- that the reason women are not in office today comes down to ongoing discrimination. As the story goes-- women are put upon by having to care for the family; they are not confident because society... but this assumes not just an equality in men and women based on intellect and opportunity. It further assumes that men and women are the same; that the differences between us are merely invented, social constructs. This just is not true. It is true that some of the things that advantaged men in old societies (primarily physical strength and aggressiveness) are less valuable today, hence the possibility of more equality. In fact, I 1,000% support equality of opportunity. What makes no sense, however, is the suggestion that, because we do not yet have full parity in numbers of elected officials or earnings or numbers stay at home dads, our society is inherently unequal or sexist. It is not and nearly all of the statistical assertions break down entirely upon slight examination. Men are "naturally" leaders in the sense that thy have been leaders and are evolutionarily adapted for it. We can alter these things over time but we should note that this is our own redefinition of what the term and construct of leadership mean. Basically, we are making subjective rather than objective gains.
4
We can look at the last election. Hillary Clinton was supposed to be dishonest. Compared to Donald Trump? Hillary Clinton was supposed to be wealthy. Compared to Donald Trump? Hillary Clinton was supposed to be careless with her e-mails. Compared to Donald Trump?
It's obvious to those of us who already thought that Hillary Clinton was eminently qualified to be president and that Donald Trump was a disaster, that sexism was at work in the election. Why isn't it just as obvious to those who subscribe to a belief other than reality?
It's obvious to those of us who already thought that Hillary Clinton was eminently qualified to be president and that Donald Trump was a disaster, that sexism was at work in the election. Why isn't it just as obvious to those who subscribe to a belief other than reality?
25
I suppose you also blame African-Americans for the failure of Reconstruction. I mean, they had the opportunity to make a go of it once they were freed. But after all, white men are "naturally" leaders in the sense that they have been leaders. (Let's not mention the violent oppression that kept the freed slaves "in their place.") In other words, your argument about why men are leaders is ridiculous.
7
It's very clear after reading many of these comments, that misogyny is alive and well in our culture. You've all helped Ms. Bronson prove her point.
You all walked into a perfectly laid trap.
You all walked into a perfectly laid trap.
42
So much this. The comments are genuinely illuminating, and prove her points to the tee.
2
I like the idea (I think in Spain?) of women getting days off for their time of the month..I have suffered through the rage and mood swings and embarrassing blood puddles on seats in the office or on the subway, or anywhere ( the poor saddles, during riding lessons, a very damaging and embarassing spill..) , for so many years I don't care to count. Oh, ok, I'll count - 49 years of dealing with the monthly tsunami. It needs to be counted in health care dollars and time off from work..
5
Wow. You are talking about my state. Keep it up ladies. I'm old, but my granddaughter and daughter live here. I want them to be treated with respect as women and this last election showed me how shockingly misogynistic the US really is.
24
NNV: I like you - and now I like your state! Three weeks ago it passed the Equal Rights Amendment. I thank it and wish you and yours the best!
3
Brittany, people are counted individually -- not by the pound. Next time you have people running for office you might want to note the NUMBER of men and women who run for office, not "the amount of men and women who run."
9
Kudos to you. Women must speak up, organize and, hopefully, transcend the current 'macho' inequities, so everybody benefits. And perhaps the best way is to become legislators, and change unjust laws maligned towards women...by ignorant and prejudiced men.
14
I promised myself not to make any jokes or to treat this subject with humor: this one would be just TOO easy.
I’ll try to be good.
But it seems predictable that if legislatures are dominated by men that the primary concerns might be tax deductions for the entertainment expenses that “uncles” incur when taking “nieces” out on the town, then it’s just as predictable that if they’re dominated by women the primary concerns might be “cheaper tampons” and office breaks to “pump breast milk”. Okay … so I couldn’t resist.
But the common denominator these days in legislatures, REGARDLESS of their gender participation, seems to be how to get society or its commercial ventures to pay for individuals’ needs – beyond what those ventures pay people to work for them. I don’t consider that to be a productive evolution regardless of whether it’s a man or a woman who flogs it.
I’ve always supported more women in elected office, not because I hanker for “no co-pay on birth control”, but because a class comprising roughly half of humanity SHOULD participate fully in our governance. We should focus less on the things they may do that are gender-specific and more on what’s right.
I’ll try to be good.
But it seems predictable that if legislatures are dominated by men that the primary concerns might be tax deductions for the entertainment expenses that “uncles” incur when taking “nieces” out on the town, then it’s just as predictable that if they’re dominated by women the primary concerns might be “cheaper tampons” and office breaks to “pump breast milk”. Okay … so I couldn’t resist.
But the common denominator these days in legislatures, REGARDLESS of their gender participation, seems to be how to get society or its commercial ventures to pay for individuals’ needs – beyond what those ventures pay people to work for them. I don’t consider that to be a productive evolution regardless of whether it’s a man or a woman who flogs it.
I’ve always supported more women in elected office, not because I hanker for “no co-pay on birth control”, but because a class comprising roughly half of humanity SHOULD participate fully in our governance. We should focus less on the things they may do that are gender-specific and more on what’s right.
9
You are equating men's "entertainment" with cheaper tampons and safe spaces to feed infants. They are not equal - one is "entertainment", the other two are health necessities.
Why don't American men seem to understand that tampons and breastfeeding are not "for fun" and women aren't trying to "get" something when they need help and support in staying healthy and perpetuating the human race?
OPEN YOUR EYES
Why don't American men seem to understand that tampons and breastfeeding are not "for fun" and women aren't trying to "get" something when they need help and support in staying healthy and perpetuating the human race?
OPEN YOUR EYES
25
Richard Luettgen, what about family leave for both sexes? How about the fact that for women there is a real need for office breaks to pump milk if the women is breast feeding and not at home, or for other women, cheaper tampons might be important? And I'll take the cheap shot at Viagra which is usually covered by insurance while birth control for women and abortion are often considered extras when it comes to health care. Why should I support cheap Viagra when its sole purpose is to aid males?
My belief is that having more women in legislatures across the country would force men to examine their beliefs on women's issues and realize that those issues are society's issues as well. We demand that poor women work yet we refuse to provide high quality day care for their children. We condemn their child raising abilities when their school aged children get in trouble yet we cut the programs that might keep the children out of trouble. We force women to have children they cannot afford and then blame them for having them. In other words, men, because they do not bear children and are not the ones expected to raise the children do not comprehend the problems they create when they decide to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, day care, or afterschool programs.
And yes, there are plenty of women who do not understand either but that's not a good enough reason in today's world to decide that punishing women is the answer. It's not.
My belief is that having more women in legislatures across the country would force men to examine their beliefs on women's issues and realize that those issues are society's issues as well. We demand that poor women work yet we refuse to provide high quality day care for their children. We condemn their child raising abilities when their school aged children get in trouble yet we cut the programs that might keep the children out of trouble. We force women to have children they cannot afford and then blame them for having them. In other words, men, because they do not bear children and are not the ones expected to raise the children do not comprehend the problems they create when they decide to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, day care, or afterschool programs.
And yes, there are plenty of women who do not understand either but that's not a good enough reason in today's world to decide that punishing women is the answer. It's not.
19
Richard, you missed one point. BC-- free and easy to get-- has a societal benefit. Fewer unwanted babies, fewer young and unwed mothers needing all sorts of monetary support, a slowing of population growth, children more likely to be raised by two adults in a committed relationship, perhaps fewer abortions, ETC. Any cost to society pales in comparison to the benefits. It is worth every dollar. And let's face facts-- the "other" gender is a major beneficiary-- carefree sex with a woman not likely to become pregnant. Talk about a win-win.
5
"Studies also show that although female politicians have a wide range of positions, they often are more compassionate, better at working across the aisle and more willing to compromise . . ."
I kept waiting for this piece to enter essentialist territory, and I was not disappointed. There is nothing about being a woman that makes a person more compassionate or better able to cooperate or collaborate. In fact, essentialist stereotypes are precisely what hold women back when the situation calls for assertiveness and power politics.
The longer we present women in public life as archetypal mother figures, the longer the men in the room will continue criticizing women for being shrill and pushy when they act like one of the guys instead of being nice.
I kept waiting for this piece to enter essentialist territory, and I was not disappointed. There is nothing about being a woman that makes a person more compassionate or better able to cooperate or collaborate. In fact, essentialist stereotypes are precisely what hold women back when the situation calls for assertiveness and power politics.
The longer we present women in public life as archetypal mother figures, the longer the men in the room will continue criticizing women for being shrill and pushy when they act like one of the guys instead of being nice.
15
As long as men decide what qualities are needed/valued in government and business, the longer some of what women bring to the table will be devalued.
22
This isn't necessarily essentialist. Women are socialized to think of others before themselves, especially as they are groomed to be mothers. That translates into compassion. The ability to compromise might be a learned skill because women have traditionally lacked the political power to bulldoze their opponents and, if they did, would be dismissed as shrill and pushy.
The objective isn't necessarily to be able to 'act like one of the guys;' it's for there be no one way that guys or women act.
The objective isn't necessarily to be able to 'act like one of the guys;' it's for there be no one way that guys or women act.
8
I wonder if Brittany Bronson supported the McCain/Palin ticket in 2008. Surely we need more Sarah Palins in government, no?
7
We don't even need the one we had.
9
I agree with your premise that achieving gender equality will depend on women, not men.
10
Is this fair that these women politicians and lawmakers are only taking about women's rights and leaving men out of the equation? Men have rights also. Maybe they want to have paternity leave granted to them in their workplaces. Shouldn't this important issue be addressed by these women regarding men? This is not the only issue that should be discussed about men. They do make up a fair amount of the population. If male politicians excluded talking about women's issues, there would be an outcry from women's groups. All sexes' concerns must be addresses. By the way, I am a woman.
7
It should read "All sexes' concerns must be addressed."
1
They are not only talking about women's rights. Rather they are the only ones talking about women's rights. Big difference. Frankly, I wish male politicians would stop legislating on women's issues because whenever they do, it results in negatively impacting women.
10
Well, men are also entirely missing from the abortion debate too. No blame, no shame, no consequences.
5
As a retired financial advisor, I can attest to the fact that women are better administrators, and better money managers. Where men are gun-slingers, many of which who don't have a clue, they are too conceited when they don't know something. Women, on the other hand, are interested in learning what they need to, make more sensitive decisions, and use the "Motherly Instinct" to consider everyone's--male or female--point of view.
In "Half the Sky",Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, cite time and time again is that poor families finances--in the poorest parts os Africa and Asia, are safeguarded and used to meet the total family's needs, not skewed to meet the non-essential needs of the husband.
Besides, women make for more ration, unbiased legislators, where many men seem to resent having to consider the inadequacies--sufficient bathroom fixtures in public places, the need for baby-changing tables in Men's Rooms, equality in Women's Health Issues, the need for family planning, more so than Viagra, etc.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
In "Half the Sky",Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, cite time and time again is that poor families finances--in the poorest parts os Africa and Asia, are safeguarded and used to meet the total family's needs, not skewed to meet the non-essential needs of the husband.
Besides, women make for more ration, unbiased legislators, where many men seem to resent having to consider the inadequacies--sufficient bathroom fixtures in public places, the need for baby-changing tables in Men's Rooms, equality in Women's Health Issues, the need for family planning, more so than Viagra, etc.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
10
NYT is running a story related to your comment. In a state in India that recently passed prohibition of alcohol, adamantly supported and enforced by women, household spending on things like food, appliances, healthcare, and schooling have increased dramatically since the men are not able to buy booze any more!
4
Prostitution is legal in most of Nevada and nowhere else in the USA. It is illegal in Las Vega and Reno but is common and easily tolerated in those places. How does this square with the rosey picture of feminist politics presented in this op-ed?
4
Ah, the misogynist turn-to: Everything female predicated on the female body pleasuring inadequate males via sexual subjugation, even when it is legal. Rape against the female body was also legal until the few decades, the law defining females as chattel property of either a father or husband whose property was damaged by the rapist. Mano a mano always seeks to dismiss the human female with the sole male gaze of male sexuality, almost always religiously and legally. The good news is that 3.5 billion females know it is a set-up intended to harm and never benefit females.
6
It squares perfectly logically. Women (and men) have a right to do with their bodies as they please, unburdened by state-mandated 'morality.'
6
That's easy. Why wouldn't feminists support women choosing to earn money however they want so long as it isn't harming another?
10
Well, if Fairy Godmothers are what you want, they're what you get. Symbolic handouts, and somebody else picks up the bill. Something awfully familiar about that.
7
I would support most of these reforms to make life and work easier for women in return for a change in the custody of children of divorce laws. Right now any father is just one divorce lawyer away from being escorted out of his house by the sheriff never to see his kids again except on the occasional weekend or not at all if his ex-wife decides to move away. Women deeply believe that the children belong to them, so any real reform that prevents them from moving the children away from their father will be resisted, but it is the only fair solution that guarantees that children have both a father and a mother as they grow up. Step-fathers or new boyfriends do not count.
10
Men need to be a father from the day the child is born, not starting when a divorce is imminent. Men can't just want to see their kids, they have to want to be actively involved in their parenting as well. This is why so many men do not get (or deserve) equal custody. Perhaps a deep examination of behavior is in order, rather than whining?
That has as much to do with the set-up by patriarchal social norms that say that women are better caretakers of children, then anything else. Men can blame gender inequality, religion, and all kinds of other factors that made it so that mothers are "better" for their children. The result is this: a belief by the mostly patriarchal courts that in a divorce, it is a woman's job to raise the children.
I personally, as a woman, believe that men are just as capable of being caretakers. I've seen it. But if you want to dismantle the system that feeds into the idea that men aren't good caretakers, then you have to work on the rest of it too. Equality for women in third world countries has been shown to improve the lives of EVERYONE, not just women. Same thing in first world countries, and same thing for your particular issue.
I personally, as a woman, believe that men are just as capable of being caretakers. I've seen it. But if you want to dismantle the system that feeds into the idea that men aren't good caretakers, then you have to work on the rest of it too. Equality for women in third world countries has been shown to improve the lives of EVERYONE, not just women. Same thing in first world countries, and same thing for your particular issue.
2
"Repairing the irreparable damage," is bad writing and detracts from an otherwise good piece. Get a better editor.
7
Worth repeating what those two idiot senators in Missouri had to say:
“The St. Louis Zoo gets inspected once a year,” said State Senator Bob Onder to his colleague, State Senator Wayne Wallingford, who added, “Maybe we should send the people that want an abortion to the St. Louis Zoo, because we know it’ll be safer.”
Onder then pointed out that zoos have a waiting period of five days before euthanizing animals, whereas Missouri requires women to wait three days after meeting with a doctor to get an abortion.
Seriously?
Apparently, Mr. Onder resents that St. Louis is an "abortion sanctuary city" (whatever that means) so he decided to make a lot of ludicrous comments to appear clever. It somehow involved the St. Louis Zoo. I guess if you live in Missouri, you might get a chuckle out of this sort of humor, which he called "senatorial banter." It must be the senate floor version of "locker room talk." The guy is an idiot. No wonder Trump is president.
People are always suggesting I try to understand flyover country better. If this what they've got in their state legislature, no thanks. I don't need to understand stuff like that.
By the way, flyover states, freedom of religion means you can't impose your religious beliefs on me, not that I must kowtow to yours. We're supposed to be a secular nation. I don't understand why they don't teach you that in school.
“The St. Louis Zoo gets inspected once a year,” said State Senator Bob Onder to his colleague, State Senator Wayne Wallingford, who added, “Maybe we should send the people that want an abortion to the St. Louis Zoo, because we know it’ll be safer.”
Onder then pointed out that zoos have a waiting period of five days before euthanizing animals, whereas Missouri requires women to wait three days after meeting with a doctor to get an abortion.
Seriously?
Apparently, Mr. Onder resents that St. Louis is an "abortion sanctuary city" (whatever that means) so he decided to make a lot of ludicrous comments to appear clever. It somehow involved the St. Louis Zoo. I guess if you live in Missouri, you might get a chuckle out of this sort of humor, which he called "senatorial banter." It must be the senate floor version of "locker room talk." The guy is an idiot. No wonder Trump is president.
People are always suggesting I try to understand flyover country better. If this what they've got in their state legislature, no thanks. I don't need to understand stuff like that.
By the way, flyover states, freedom of religion means you can't impose your religious beliefs on me, not that I must kowtow to yours. We're supposed to be a secular nation. I don't understand why they don't teach you that in school.
34
Flyover states is why we have Trump. To change you need to what you are up against.
6
Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan - as well as Florida - gifted the U.S. and planet with the Trump presidency.
Even the structure of this op-ed piece reveals some of the problem: the real paragraph, the one that shows why we need equal representation in government between the sexes, is the second to the last paragraph. First we discuss tampons, breast milk, and birth control, seemingly women's issues (isn't feeding children of concern to men? isn't family planning of concern to men?), and then way down in the article we come to how men mock women (legitimate rape; why cover maternity, prenatal, and post-natal care...). Last, we find that women contribute to governing by bringing more communication and cooperation to the table than men do. When you have to do everything twice as good as the other gender to just achieve the same thing, I suppose you learn those skills to survive. Men just have to be male to survive. They still call the shots. Is that why the most important information in this article appears at the end instead of the beginning? Even our writing structure is tainted by unawareness of the institutionalized sexism in our culture.
20
Drivel. Who really cares about the gender of a politician? Whether the candidate is Catholic or Protestant? Who wastes time reading this banal op-ed? Regrettably, I did.
6
Proving the point. When women speak you stop listening.
10
I think we should replace our House and Senate model with two different houses, one for men and one for women.
All legislation would have to get through a majority of both. Either could originate what it felt most important.
The changes could be profound. They'd all be improvements over what we have now.
All legislation would have to get through a majority of both. Either could originate what it felt most important.
The changes could be profound. They'd all be improvements over what we have now.
2
So gender segregation, basically.
Structural assurance of equal representation.
I was an early adoptee of equality but found plenty of women falling short - still expecting the man to pay, wearing unhealthy and expensive shoes (spiked heels and platforms even today despite women haveing plenty of control over the fashion industry), insisting on sidelining men regarding household and kids even when the men want to help; I've seen it many times. The last item is relevant here in terms of 'unequal share' of household and child-rearing getting in the way of women running for office - that is point one. Point two is that when women are seen as powerful, they will be subject to the same forces of bribery and pressure - we call it campaign contributions and lobbying - that men are, and then the focus on tampons will drop off. Point three is one that some others have made - it is a fine line between touting equality and touting differences, or suggesting that women can do some things better because it opens the door to say that men can do some things better.
5
Women control the fashion industry??? No, just the models who are expected to throw up everything they have ever eaten and appear like skeletons.
9
Biological connection or not, it is a fact that women are raised differently and treated differently in this country. It is no surprise that they act differently, as a broad generalization, than men. While I strongly believe that all people should be first treated as individuals, some different behaviors in our leaders would be a very good thing. Barbara Lee is my shining example. Her work is focused on moral judgements on what is best for our country. Support women, vote for them.
9
As long as the U.S. continues to tilt towards sons - and it does in many of the same ways that 2nd and 3rd world countries do - girls and women will be in physical danger as well as psychological, social and legal danger.
http://www.womanstats.org/maps.html
http://www.womanstats.org/maps.html
3
"Bringing more Republican women into the fold could play an enormous role in repairing some of the irreparable damage done by Donald Trump’s candidacy when it comes to how the party talks about women."
How so? By electing MORE Republicans? Ms. Bronson....
How so? By electing MORE Republicans? Ms. Bronson....
5
Let alone the most amusing part - how does one actually repair something that is ostensibly "irreparable"?
4
Yes, more Palin's, Fiorinas, NM's Martinez, Margaret Thatcher types. No thanks. I will take 100 Bernies to one of them any day.
4
Wake up -Schemakup.
White women without college degrees voted for Trump a whopping 28 point margin. White women with college degrees went for Clinton, but by only 6 percentage points. Compare that to African Americans, Hispanics, or non-White women where Trump lost by margins greater than by margins of 37 points or higher. Women solidarity? White women need to get on board. White women spoke at the polls. They perfer Trump. Apparently Trumps's election was only a 'wake up call' for white female activist who failed to convince their fellow white sisters that Trump was bad for women's interests. White women helped put Trump over the top. Own it.
White women without college degrees voted for Trump a whopping 28 point margin. White women with college degrees went for Clinton, but by only 6 percentage points. Compare that to African Americans, Hispanics, or non-White women where Trump lost by margins greater than by margins of 37 points or higher. Women solidarity? White women need to get on board. White women spoke at the polls. They perfer Trump. Apparently Trumps's election was only a 'wake up call' for white female activist who failed to convince their fellow white sisters that Trump was bad for women's interests. White women helped put Trump over the top. Own it.
4
It is deplorable that white women voted for Trump. But the 67% misogynistic white men did the final trick. Own it.
10
I wonder if this decade will be remembered as "The Gender Wars."
3
The New York Times appears to be endorsing the idea that breastfeeding, birth control and menstruation have something to do with being a woman. It's almost like people know what a woman is when the topic is anything but transgenderism.
5
Let's vote only women into office for the next 200 years and see if they can do a better job than men. They will.
7
"Increased gender representation directly translates into better consideration of women in the drafting of law and policy."
Gender inequity in legislating will assuredly get worse if women displaying the above bias fill 50% of seats in a chamber. There are at least two reasons, if not more, this will not happen.
1) Many women actually believe in gender equality enough to see a man's perspective. They know female sexism when they see it.
2) Women historically have not chosen to enter traditionally male careers in equal numbers to men.
Gender inequity in legislating will assuredly get worse if women displaying the above bias fill 50% of seats in a chamber. There are at least two reasons, if not more, this will not happen.
1) Many women actually believe in gender equality enough to see a man's perspective. They know female sexism when they see it.
2) Women historically have not chosen to enter traditionally male careers in equal numbers to men.
3
Re your point 2: When I was trying to chose a career in high school, I was discouraged from pursuing my first choices--science and journalism--because I was told (by teachers and a career day speaker) that only men could be in those professions. A male newspaper reporter (in front of an audience of students) told me that he and his fellow male journalist would resent me and undermine me every chance they got should I dare to try to be a reporter. As for politics, one of my teachers told me and the class that no woman could ever be president of the United States--that it was wrong for women to aspire to be political leaders. Against such odds and advice, that's why I didn't enter those particular "traditional" male careers.
9
In high school I was told by my (male) Physics teacher that I was pretty smart "for a girl". Boys in my class were just smart.
Really makes women want to pursue math and science careers, right?
Really makes women want to pursue math and science careers, right?
1
Your notion of women's "choice" is deeply flawed. It's about access, opportunity, and encouragement - none of which women have traditionally had in the political field.
6
I always tell my daughter, "Girls are just as good as boys and boys are just as good as girls." I have zero tolerance for sexism and this includes claims that females are inherently better than males. Statements like the following thus drive me crazy. "Studies also show that [] female politicians . . . often are more compassionate, better at working across the aisle and more willing to compromise." A good test of gender neutrality is to see whether you can reverse the genders in a statement. Can you imagine the outcry if this statement were reversed, with the claim being that male politicians are better than females? Sexism that lifts males over females is wrong; so is sexism that lifts females over men. Two wrongs do not make a right.
25
If it's a well designed study, then the shoe fits doesn't it?
Your argument would make more sense if our country - and the world - was already a place of gender equality, where men and woman were equal partners in governing and in everything else.
Unfortunately for us, our country - and the world - is thoroughly, dramatically skewed towards men being in most positions of power.
Since men are more inclined than women to murder, rape and pillage - that's not a political viewpoint, it's a fact - this sad state of affairs cries out for some kind of power re-balancing act, as is evidenced by any newspaper published in the last couple of hundred years.
Articles like this one are good, are necessary - to show that, in those few instances where women are granted even a tiny fraction of the power of governance, positive changes can be made, changes that can end up benefitting everyone.
Unfortunately for us, our country - and the world - is thoroughly, dramatically skewed towards men being in most positions of power.
Since men are more inclined than women to murder, rape and pillage - that's not a political viewpoint, it's a fact - this sad state of affairs cries out for some kind of power re-balancing act, as is evidenced by any newspaper published in the last couple of hundred years.
Articles like this one are good, are necessary - to show that, in those few instances where women are granted even a tiny fraction of the power of governance, positive changes can be made, changes that can end up benefitting everyone.
23
Girls are not better or worse than boys. And girls and women are different from boys and men. While many men are compassionate, aware people, Republican men on the whole are not. Republican women are not much better than Republican men on social or public welfare issues. The problem is not gender based, it's party based.
4
Women need to get involved at all levels of society, and then they also need to make men be true partners. Too often women end up doing the housework at home and in institutions (http://bit.ly/2o4DF4h) by doing the detailed thinking and planning work. So yes, we need more women in politics, and we need more men picking up the details in the workplace and at home.
8
Great article, but as Ms Bronson is an English instructor I expect better English: "...discrepancy in the amount of men and women who run" should be "discrepancy in the number of men and women who run." (If can be quantified, use number - number of kisses; if it can't, use amount - amount of love.) I also think that it's a lot to ask Republican women to repair "some of the irreparable damage done by Donald Trump's candidacy." If the damage is irreparable, then it can't be repaired.
These seem like small things, but this growing laxity in the use of language is symptomatic of a growing laxity in our daily life that leads to a President Trump being elected.
These seem like small things, but this growing laxity in the use of language is symptomatic of a growing laxity in our daily life that leads to a President Trump being elected.
9
Myself and him agree.
2
Bravo Connie! Self-important "English instructors" offering tiresome social lectures are boring indeed. Ms. Bronson is a prime example.
2
The republican party , catering to the needs of their evangelical supporters , are busy reducing female citizens to the equivalent of farm animals , intellectually and morally unfit to exercise their God given free will and determine the best course to take should an unwanted pregnancy occur.
The same party recently gave the go ahead for individual states to prevent the federal money allocated for Planned Parenthood regardless of the fact that the Hyde Amendment has prevented any federal funds from being used for abortion for the past forty years. The only purpose that this restriction will accomplish is to deny millions of women the broad female services offered by PP other than abortion. This edict is not only not rational , it is undeniably cruel.
The recent health plan offered by the GOP was engineered by ultra conservative legislators to deny maternal and neo-natal health care.
Are these people unaware of the need for progeny ? Do they believe that pregnancy is the result of some female whim or caprice ? Is the preservation of the human species something that conservatives choose not to believe in ? Is it maybe too Darwinian or scientific to comprehend ?
Maybe 20 % of the voting population represent the view that their religious opinions should be forced down the throats of the public at large. But their votes put Trump in office and he is paying them homage with this shameless treatment of women.
For the GOP , life apparently stops at birth.
The same party recently gave the go ahead for individual states to prevent the federal money allocated for Planned Parenthood regardless of the fact that the Hyde Amendment has prevented any federal funds from being used for abortion for the past forty years. The only purpose that this restriction will accomplish is to deny millions of women the broad female services offered by PP other than abortion. This edict is not only not rational , it is undeniably cruel.
The recent health plan offered by the GOP was engineered by ultra conservative legislators to deny maternal and neo-natal health care.
Are these people unaware of the need for progeny ? Do they believe that pregnancy is the result of some female whim or caprice ? Is the preservation of the human species something that conservatives choose not to believe in ? Is it maybe too Darwinian or scientific to comprehend ?
Maybe 20 % of the voting population represent the view that their religious opinions should be forced down the throats of the public at large. But their votes put Trump in office and he is paying them homage with this shameless treatment of women.
For the GOP , life apparently stops at birth.
237
@Laurence Voss. "The republican party, . . . are busy reducing female citizens to the equivalent of farm animals , intellectually and morally unfit to exercise their God given free will"
Absolutely correct, Mr. Voss, and doesn't it remind one of the Nazi policy towards women, "Kinder, Kuche, Kirche" meaning that women should be restricted to children, kitchen and church. Doesn't this sound familiar, especially re evangelicals in the United States?
Absolutely correct, Mr. Voss, and doesn't it remind one of the Nazi policy towards women, "Kinder, Kuche, Kirche" meaning that women should be restricted to children, kitchen and church. Doesn't this sound familiar, especially re evangelicals in the United States?
1
They babies they want are 'white babies' -- babies of Muslim parents, Blacks, Hispanics do not count in their equation. Some of them are in favor of the USA binding itself to Russia as the two White nations of the world against the "dark" races. And yes, they use this language. Antisemitism included, too, and much of this from the alt-Right and under-reported.
1
I would recommend an education program on plant-based birth control and abortifacient teas that women used to know about before the pill and legalized abortion. They are cheaper and not government controlled.
http://listverse.com/2010/11/14/10-ancient-methods-of-birth-control/
http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1064&context...
http://listverse.com/2010/11/14/10-ancient-methods-of-birth-control/
http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1064&context...
What a completely male legislature finds hard to understand is that children, reproduction, caregiving within the family--these are family issues--not a woman's cross to bear. They thoughtlessly dismiss the idea that they are free to legislate, to gather, to campaign--because their families (in very large part) depend on a woman to put them first.
(Classic: The Japanese Diet approved Viagra in 6 months, birth control pills? 9 years. Of course, this was due to their "concern" for women's safety.)
(Classic: The Japanese Diet approved Viagra in 6 months, birth control pills? 9 years. Of course, this was due to their "concern" for women's safety.)
21
Our Constitution was written by and for white men and amended to include all men. Women fought and got the vote in 1920. The Equal Rights Amendment proposed in 1923 was intended to move the democracy forward to include women as full citizens. The Nevada women legislators understand the importance of women being in the Constitution and on March 22, 2017 Nevada ratified the ERA. We need 2 more States to ratify and the House and Senate to vote to rescind the ratification deadline (HJRes 53 & SJRes 5) in order to give our judiciary a legal framework for women's equality. Women understand as Justice Scalia said in California Magazine 1/9/2011
"Certainly the Constitution does not require discrimination on the basis of sex. The only issue is whether it prohibits it. It doesn't."
We need a country that has a framework of laws that support "mutual respect, generous admiration and good will between sisters and brothers of the human household" (K Bushnell)
Thank you Nevada women for being the 36th State to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to add to our Constitution the following 24 Words -
" Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."
"Certainly the Constitution does not require discrimination on the basis of sex. The only issue is whether it prohibits it. It doesn't."
We need a country that has a framework of laws that support "mutual respect, generous admiration and good will between sisters and brothers of the human household" (K Bushnell)
Thank you Nevada women for being the 36th State to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to add to our Constitution the following 24 Words -
" Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."
23
@Jean Sweeney:Boo hoo! Poor you! Suggest you get your priorities straight. At Spicer's daily press briefings, for which he is grossly underpaid, since he is called upon to defend the indefensible,his chief's actions which have entailed blatant nepotism.as well as reneging on promises which he made to his dirt poor supporters during the campaign, there are as many women called upon Spicer as men. Have seen one African American reporter chosen in last several weeks. When you peruse want ads in Chronicle of Higher Education ,almost every tenure track position is accompanied by the caveat,"Women and minorities are encouraged to apply, "which sends a message to all those "viejos blancos" out there whose c.v.s r impressive, and who are highly qualified:"Get lost, You haven't a ghost of a chance of getting hired!"Most law school graduates are women.Many c.e.o's r also women.Drama in America today is not gender equality, but racial inequality. Suffices to see preponderance of white faces at Spicer's news briefings, or to peruse quotas in newsrooms to realize that status quo in favor of whites has not changed all that much over past several generations.If you want to crusade for womens' rights, support Ayaan Hsiri Ali, circumcisized at 8 in Somalia and now leading struggle for a world wide ban. You would be the first feminist to do so. NOW would not touch the issue with a 10 foot pole.Gender equality is important, but racial inequality should take precedence.
ALALEXANDER: You take the prize today on legal ignorance.
Don't try to prop up dog-catcher law or simple culture while sneering at Constitutional Equality.
Tell you what: How about I get a law passed to do one little thing: To change every "male, man, his, him, etc.", to "female, woman, her's, her, etc.", within the Constitution?
How would that be? You in? Or are you going to "boo-hoo"? Whine that THAT wasn't what you meant!
So, you with me?
We'll start our petitions today: "Males will have the legal rights normally accorded to females. Females will now have full, undisputed legal superiority over males. Males will now be accorded only such rights as are within the laws of the states."
There you go, Al Alex.
Let's get on this today so it can get in Gorsuch's hot little hand by sundown!
Let's go! Time's a-wastin'.
Don't try to prop up dog-catcher law or simple culture while sneering at Constitutional Equality.
Tell you what: How about I get a law passed to do one little thing: To change every "male, man, his, him, etc.", to "female, woman, her's, her, etc.", within the Constitution?
How would that be? You in? Or are you going to "boo-hoo"? Whine that THAT wasn't what you meant!
So, you with me?
We'll start our petitions today: "Males will have the legal rights normally accorded to females. Females will now have full, undisputed legal superiority over males. Males will now be accorded only such rights as are within the laws of the states."
There you go, Al Alex.
Let's get on this today so it can get in Gorsuch's hot little hand by sundown!
Let's go! Time's a-wastin'.
5
Rosa:Major fault with liberal elitists, most of whom I have a hunch are in the public sector, whose salaries are paid by wealthy business folks like our President--did a poor man ever offer you a job--is that they seldom address hypocrisy in feminist movement movement: reluctance to address the issue of fgm for fear of offending susceptibilities of Muslim Americans and Muslims throughout the world.But it suffices to do a stint in West Africa to see degree to which they are suppessed. Even the educated take their daughters "en cachette,"to remote villages where a "guerisseur," will perform the cruel, crude, paternalistic procedure in order that parents can say their daughter will be a virgin at marriage.Recall one meeting at PRF in Ziguinchor when female teacher, hands trembling, had the courage to denounce the barbarity,not even mentioned in KORAN and HADITHS.Western women have it easy.Raise the issue at a town hall in Dearborn, Mich.,where there is a sizable American Muslim population, and see how far you get.By the way, Nabi Berri, head of AMAL,which authored TWA highjacking in 1986, has a green card.Focus on issue I have raised, and support the crusade of Ayaan Hsiri Ali, if you believe you have the stamina. Your interest is appreciated.
1
Two words: Emily's List. Women, put your money where your mouth is and support progressive female candidates. Last year, while Clinton lost, 5 out of 9 female candidates promoted by Emily's List won their races. I was proud to have played a small role in financially supporting them.
Enough already about gender equality, but should be of qual if not of more concern to those who believe ion justice and the American way is racial inequality. Have fallen onto habit of watching Shaun Spicer's daily jousts with the Washington press corps. Spicer seems like a good fellow, can't help liking him, but with the virtually impossoible task of defending the indefensible, his chief's inconsistency,erratic nature, and failure thus far keep his own family at a distance. Ivnka and Jared foreign policy advisers? U gotta be kidding? As I have mentioned,Juliana and I, when we lived in that tumble down villa overlooking Rio Nunes in Boke, Guinea, knew 20 something Peace Corps volunteers who knew more about American foreign policy than Ivanka and Jared put together. But what is inescapable at these Wash. press conferences is the preponderance of white faces, and absence of journos of color. Same goes for CNN an other news networks. Presence of African Americans is symbolic to non existent. Same is true for many newsrooms.That, above all, should be on our minds, our principal preoccupation, to increase journos of color, to right this fundamental flaw in our coverage of the news. It's still a white world out there, and when Obama chose to send his daughters to the snooty, exclusive, almost all white Sidwell Friends School, rather than to a public h.s., which Amy Carter attended, I knew that 0 was not inclined to challenge the status quo either.
Why hijack this thread? Doy you feel that all issues of race should be satisfactorally addressed before turning our attention to women's issues? You do know that Black Americans got the right to vote many years before Female Americans? Shouldn't that lend some perspective?
11
Correction, bpedit: It was only Black American MALES who got the right to vote, NOT Black American FEMALES. Frankly, I'm not sure that Black Females got anything out of that time except that they somehow stopped being slaves. Like White women any benefit they got from this nation's laws waited for them far in the future. And, when the Equal Rights Amendment was thrown out by Reagan and the Religious Right, they, too, were denied equality.
And, of course, the real joke was that it was the United States that commanded absolute equality for Japanese women within the Japanese Constitution after World War 2.
What a knee-slapper, 'ay?
And, of course, the real joke was that it was the United States that commanded absolute equality for Japanese women within the Japanese Constitution after World War 2.
What a knee-slapper, 'ay?
6
@ROSA and BPEDIT: Focus on the here and now, not on the Reagan era. Was RR's intepreter in 1976 when with LS, and found him to be a good fellow, but that is irrelevant to the issue of racial inequality, and how difficult it is to be black in our society.Take a gander next time at Spicer's press briefings, and tell us how many journos of color you see. Women are doing pretty well in US, are the majority in law schools; many r also c.e.o's. When I met my "deuxieme epouse,"Djennaba, she was peeling carrots, and had prepared a wonderful bowl of rice, and said you r invited. She and middle son, Youssef, r awaiting visas to the US.One quality,virtue of African women, and Africans in general:They never complain!Complaints of Ameican women are trivil, by and large compared to their counterparts in the developing world.
Nobody but rich people can afford the life of a US politician.
8
Re: "Studies also show that although female politicians have a wide range of positions, they often are more compassionate, better at working across the aisle and more willing to compromise, qualities intricately bound in successful policymaking"
I never ceased to be amazed at the sexism permitted -- encouraged -- by the New York Times, which has been blind to the sexism against men since the paper's inception.
"Wives Belong at Home with the Kids" http://malemattersusa.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/wives-belong-at-home-with...
I never ceased to be amazed at the sexism permitted -- encouraged -- by the New York Times, which has been blind to the sexism against men since the paper's inception.
"Wives Belong at Home with the Kids" http://malemattersusa.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/wives-belong-at-home-with...
4
Hahaha.
And they say that sexism is long since past!
And they say that sexism is long since past!
I've difficulty with reader comments about how great women are. Bottom line is that when policy doesn't reflect experiences of white guys, policy changes. Present policy is made by folks who don't look like the people they represent. It is necessarily true then that folks absent from the table don't get the food they like -- if they get any at all. Older, younger, hispanics, variety matters yet we continue to achieve non-diversity of representation by the strategy of the gerrymander. We intend this country be ruled by the old white property owner, same as our forefathers intended.
I'm all for women in politics but I'm more concerned about the policies those women support. I don't support corporatist women or women who support government intrusion in women's health care or oppose marriage equality.
Neither gender nor race guarantee a progressive policy view.
Neither gender nor race guarantee a progressive policy view.
16
AMEN and ALLELUIA Brittany Bronson! The USA percentage of women in government is down at number 100 of 200 nations. Time for a change!
13
"A slave is one who waits for someone else to free him/her." This quote also applies to women who choose to remain on the paternalistic plantation end endure deprivation and abuse until someone else sets them free. It's called Stockholm Syndrome, a hostage aligning with a captor as a survival strategy. Melania Trump is a poster-girl for this psychological phenomenon. Ditto Kelly-Anne. Ditto any female who voted against her own best interests in supporting this pretender to the throne.
33
"Studies also show that although female politicians have a wide range of positions, they often are more compassionate, better at working across the aisle and more willing to compromise, qualities intricately bound in successful policymaking."
But makes for terrible reality TV.
But makes for terrible reality TV.
4
Interesting how men get so upset when the focus of legislation rests on another group of people for once. I submit again that, We, the People, are only trying to help the other citizens of this country catch up to what white men have enjoyed all these years. If you are threatened by equality, then you need to take a long look in the mirror.
Nevada also has legal prostitution and gambling.
1
Nevada needs to legalize recreational cannabis.
and?
1
How does that relate to this article?
Nordic countries tend to have greater numbers of women in their parliaments (by law a certain percent of legislators must be women), and it makes a difference for everybody. Women think more about social safety nets and social justice. They legislate for the common good far more than the good old boys who are more bellicose and less cooperative. Think of the budget impasse of a couple of years ago when women senators decided they could find a resolution. While the men were preening and thumping their chests, the women got to work and came up with an agreement. That is what we need.
30
Yes! Women helped end the civil war in Liberia, by calling out the men who were talking and talking with no end in sight, and creating a platform of action.
5
There is a great deal of social pressure in Nordic countries for women to quit working when they have children. The myth that children thrive best under mother care is alive and well throughout Scandibnavia. Wo professional women in Nordic countries lag behind equal pay for equal work. There has been very little progress world wide to improve the earning capacity, political power, and moral influence of women.
This article is hopelessly naive about history and current reality.
This article is hopelessly naive about history and current reality.
This marks real advancement for all of us, not just women. Society will be greatly improved by changes that are specifically beneficial to women, because women hold primary responsibility for the fabric of our societies. Thank you to Nevada for leading the way!
12
Please explain to me what the fabric of society is and how women maintain it.
2
The fabric of society is social relationships: contacts between generations, between neighbors, between teachers and parents, between parents whose children learn and play together. It is birthday, wedding, graduation and anniversary celebration. It is family reunions and coordinated trips with friends and cousins. It is long, ongoing talks relating to values, goals, and relationships. If you don't know what it is and you have these things in your life, you have women in your life.
8
It is my understanding that 53% of white American women voted for Trump. Please, please tell me what's up with that. Forty percent I can get, but 53? I have seen no explanation for this statistic. Is there one? I'm serious.
19
Internalized sexism
8
All the ones whose mothers did not abort them voted Republican.
Next question!
Next question!
2
53% of white american women who voted -- the problem is so many didn't vote.
Here's a decent analysis from november.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/upshot/why-women-did-not-unite-to-vot...
Here's a decent analysis from november.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/upshot/why-women-did-not-unite-to-vot...
7
If the election of President Trump has served as a wake-up call for women's activism, let us all -- men and women alike -- raise a hearty toast. Lest we cheer too lustily, however, let us also constrain our comfort with gender litmus tests for our voting decisions.
Unbridled partisan rancour in our divided electoral politics has given us Marsha Blackburn, Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann and Virginia Foxx, to name but a few regressive noteworthies. Behind the curtain of public office we have the ever-estimable Kellyanne Conway.
Give me figures like former President Obama, Adam Schiff or Seth Moulton any day.
Unbridled partisan rancour in our divided electoral politics has given us Marsha Blackburn, Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann and Virginia Foxx, to name but a few regressive noteworthies. Behind the curtain of public office we have the ever-estimable Kellyanne Conway.
Give me figures like former President Obama, Adam Schiff or Seth Moulton any day.
9
How would women legislate away the unequal burden of family obligations? There is nothing legally stopping women from taking on more child and elder care or excusing themselves the same way men do. The unequal burden of family obligations is both cultural pressure and personal choice. Not easily legislated away
2
We are socializing more and more family obligations, and in an era of very small families and childless couples that makes sense. It is not only inefficient to isolate and not pay caregivers, it is arguably not good for the mental health of either party to the caregiving relationship.
1
"...the amount of men and women who run."
So, is that measured in pounds or quarts?
Got editors?
So, is that measured in pounds or quarts?
Got editors?
16
And she's an English writing instructor.
Arizona has had three women governors recently- one excellent(Napolitano) one mediocre and forgettable (Hull) and the third truly execrable (Brewer). It is no accident that the one decent, unindictible governor has been Democratic. While gender is significant, it is subordinate to policy and philosophy factors as well as competence and basic intelligence. (Think of Sarah Palin, for heaven's sake.) Many women have internalized patriarchy and would not support a feminist agenda- the last presidential election certainly proves that. Even so, it is a breath of fresh air to know that Nevada shows less cruel and irksome policies towards its female constituents than so much of the rest of this country does.
29
Napolitano is doing a great job over at UC=Berkley....Not.
Typical political hack.
Typical political hack.
"Studies also show that although female politicians have a wide range of positions, they often are more compassionate, better at working across the aisle and more willing to compromise, qualities intricately bound in successful policymaking"
all hate propaganda begins with 'studies show..."
all hate propaganda begins with 'studies show..."
5
I'd love to see the data source for "all hate propaganda starts with 'studies show'". Thanks.
4
Men don't have reproductive rights. If a man has sex he better be prepared to pay a lifetime of child support.
Women have safe, effective, reversible birth control. Men don't.
Women have safe, effective, reversible birth control. Men don't.
6
I'm at a loss. Poor men they only run the country.
7
Wait, what? Are condoms fictional?
Not all women have safe, effective, reversible birth control (some poor women have barriers to access this, which just might get worse with current legislation).
But I'm curious - why must the man be prepared to pay a lifetime of child support? Why must he not be prepared to spend a lifetime taking care of his child? Or did you assume the daily burden and time demands (and taking off work when the child is sick) would all be taken care of by the woman?
But I'm curious - why must the man be prepared to pay a lifetime of child support? Why must he not be prepared to spend a lifetime taking care of his child? Or did you assume the daily burden and time demands (and taking off work when the child is sick) would all be taken care of by the woman?
7
Should we have more state and federal representatives who are women? It is hard to see how it hurts. Although there have been tyrannical women leaders in the history of the world, they are few and far between--no major, modern dictators are female, not many women have been at the head of bloody military coups. There are a number of reasons for these circumstances.
We cannot run controlled trials to see who is "better" at governance, give the nature of modern political beliefs and the history of value pluralism ( https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/value-pluralism/ ). There is not much to show that centuries of white male political dominance has been the primary force in making our US society more humane. Quite the opposite: those social movements have come from other spheres.
It might be a good idea to run the "experiment" of power sharing in state and federal government, if we men would let that happen. It is not likely that we'd go along with that we'd voluntarily acquiesce to the experimental process.
have no doubt that over time women would develop many of our same bad habits, but we might also become a more understanding nation, less inclined to trample on those less fortunate and push for more benefits for the affluent (think "Freedom" Caucus).
We cannot run controlled trials to see who is "better" at governance, give the nature of modern political beliefs and the history of value pluralism ( https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/value-pluralism/ ). There is not much to show that centuries of white male political dominance has been the primary force in making our US society more humane. Quite the opposite: those social movements have come from other spheres.
It might be a good idea to run the "experiment" of power sharing in state and federal government, if we men would let that happen. It is not likely that we'd go along with that we'd voluntarily acquiesce to the experimental process.
have no doubt that over time women would develop many of our same bad habits, but we might also become a more understanding nation, less inclined to trample on those less fortunate and push for more benefits for the affluent (think "Freedom" Caucus).
5
What happens? Margaret Thatcher, who did her best to devastate the less fortunate and help the rich.
Women with power in history are no less destructive than men.
Women with power in history are no less destructive than men.
6
@ David Henry
As Kathleen has written in these comments: "While gender is significant, it is subordinate to policy and philosophy factors as well as competence and basic intelligence. (Think of Sarah Palin, for heaven's sake.)"
Kathleen is spot on, and when one considers the policies and positions of women like Thatcher, Michelle Bachmann, Jan Brewer, the late Phyllis Schlafly, etc, it becomes plain that political philosophy matters far more than gender.
As Kathleen has written in these comments: "While gender is significant, it is subordinate to policy and philosophy factors as well as competence and basic intelligence. (Think of Sarah Palin, for heaven's sake.)"
Kathleen is spot on, and when one considers the policies and positions of women like Thatcher, Michelle Bachmann, Jan Brewer, the late Phyllis Schlafly, etc, it becomes plain that political philosophy matters far more than gender.
8
Tax free is not free. Republicans could also form an organization to encourage more women to run for office. It would be interesting to see if the new Republican women candidates were more interested in helping common people than Betsy Devos is.
7
But we can't have a woman president, according to Bill O'Reilly, since some foreign leaders won't like it. Sigh.
7
Foreign leaders like PM Teressa May and Chancellor Angela Merkel, themselves leaders of two of the world powers? While PM May is relatively new to her present position, Chancellor Merkel has been in office since President Bush. I don't see their two countries falling apart.
6
I'm floored by anti-s' comments here.
Type 1: "Pads/ tampons, birth control, pumping rooms are choices, not necessary." OK, then men have to accept blood running down women's legs, pooled, sticky and drying on chairs/ benches on the bus, metros, parks, offices, restaurants, bars, banks, cafes; No vaginal sex; Shirts wet with leaking milk. Women also should work through breast pain, babies with working mothers should be on formula.
Type 2: "But men bear the burden of breadwinning." One, perhaps that is true for certain age groups, in non-single-women households. However, even across the entire US population, women are 47% of the current workforce. True, more women than men are part time but ~3x more women are full time than part time (~7x more men are full than part). However, at this point we could probably safely say women are contributing $$ to many households. Two, of course, is the economic value of housework.
Type 3 (or bonus on Type 1): "We don't need regulation for that." Then please explain me the status quo. Labor and consumer market failure? Price gouging? Discounting of needs as choices? Unsympathetic employers? Differences in human nature, thought process, priorities, and choices? Not all regulation is bad (e.g., laws against murder or theft). Maybe there are different types of nudges we can try here, but the status quo and these comments themselves show that we need to try something different than what we've already tried so far.
Type 1: "Pads/ tampons, birth control, pumping rooms are choices, not necessary." OK, then men have to accept blood running down women's legs, pooled, sticky and drying on chairs/ benches on the bus, metros, parks, offices, restaurants, bars, banks, cafes; No vaginal sex; Shirts wet with leaking milk. Women also should work through breast pain, babies with working mothers should be on formula.
Type 2: "But men bear the burden of breadwinning." One, perhaps that is true for certain age groups, in non-single-women households. However, even across the entire US population, women are 47% of the current workforce. True, more women than men are part time but ~3x more women are full time than part time (~7x more men are full than part). However, at this point we could probably safely say women are contributing $$ to many households. Two, of course, is the economic value of housework.
Type 3 (or bonus on Type 1): "We don't need regulation for that." Then please explain me the status quo. Labor and consumer market failure? Price gouging? Discounting of needs as choices? Unsympathetic employers? Differences in human nature, thought process, priorities, and choices? Not all regulation is bad (e.g., laws against murder or theft). Maybe there are different types of nudges we can try here, but the status quo and these comments themselves show that we need to try something different than what we've already tried so far.
21
What a lead-in to an article about women in the legislature!
"Bills designed solely with women in mind".
Do I really want to elect a woman whose only focus is on what's good for women?
"Bills designed solely with women in mind".
Do I really want to elect a woman whose only focus is on what's good for women?
6
Aren't bills to defund Planned Parenthood and criminalize abortion designed solely with women in mind?
16
Yes. We do. For how many centuries have women had to endure bills whose only focus was on "what's good for men." Whether wages, property rules, divorce procedures, etc. men have ruled for themselves and in their own interests since the foundation of our country. Remember the Constitution? We didn't even count as two-thirds of a person. Women have a lot of ground to make up before our lives and liberties are respected as well as those of men.
14
David asks, "Do I really want to elect a woman whose only focus is on what's good for women?"
I respond: Only if you were born to a woman.
I respond: Only if you were born to a woman.
5
Women would be better..... Blanket statements are so useless. How about we all vote for Ann Coulter if she runs for office against a man!!
I hate group characterizations. Man, woman, young, old, white, black, Asian, Latino, tall, short, rich, poor, smart, average, Christian, Jew, Muslim, atheist .....and any or all combinations thereof. Even among so called "groups" there are so many variables that go into the make up of an individual that no two are the same.
I learned long ago to cast aside group labels and assess and deal with the INDIVIDUAL before me. I never assign ANYONE to a group anymore.
Choose (vote for) the BEST individual at hand. Nothing else should mean anything!
I hate group characterizations. Man, woman, young, old, white, black, Asian, Latino, tall, short, rich, poor, smart, average, Christian, Jew, Muslim, atheist .....and any or all combinations thereof. Even among so called "groups" there are so many variables that go into the make up of an individual that no two are the same.
I learned long ago to cast aside group labels and assess and deal with the INDIVIDUAL before me. I never assign ANYONE to a group anymore.
Choose (vote for) the BEST individual at hand. Nothing else should mean anything!
Yeah, well, "feminine hygiene products" might not have been the best example. I don't think most Democrats think douching is a right.
It is entirely possible to go one's entire life as a biological female and never douche. It's tricky to avoid using sanitary napkins/tampons/menstrual cups. Toilet paper isn't a right either, but should it really be a tax focus?
8
The names of those two Missouri lawmakers yucking it up on sending the women of Missouri to the zoo to have abortions because the zoo is better regulated and safer than the state's one (1) clinic:
Missouri State Senators Bob Onder and Wayne Wallingford.
Missouri: Remember the names of those two men. More, click on the link and read the whole article for it is debasing and ugly and those men need to go.
I regret that I was unable to find out who in Nevada, is the politician that wanted to get his jockstrap tax free.
Whoever that man is, he needs to go. He is utterly ignorant of issues facing the poor in this country.
45 years ago my question was garbage bags. I lived out in the woods and my trash had to be sledded out. But trash bags were not on the list of what could be bought.
I seriously doubt that "Captain Jockstrap" has ever had to deal with the Byzantine laws on the poor. What can be bought, what can't.
I want to know his name.
I intend to move soon, possibly to Nevada, and I wouldn't want to inadvertently vote for such a loser.
Please, folks, whenever it is possible, use the full name and full position of "creepyfolk" who think that the utterly abandoned poor in this land are a standing joke, sneer-worthy, beneath notice.
Vote these people out.
Name them and put the list on a billboard: A ten-foot tall photo of whoever he is and foot-tall letters: "I WANT A TAX-FREE JOCKSTRAP!"
Let's make him and Bob and Wayne world famous!
What "men"!
Not.
Missouri State Senators Bob Onder and Wayne Wallingford.
Missouri: Remember the names of those two men. More, click on the link and read the whole article for it is debasing and ugly and those men need to go.
I regret that I was unable to find out who in Nevada, is the politician that wanted to get his jockstrap tax free.
Whoever that man is, he needs to go. He is utterly ignorant of issues facing the poor in this country.
45 years ago my question was garbage bags. I lived out in the woods and my trash had to be sledded out. But trash bags were not on the list of what could be bought.
I seriously doubt that "Captain Jockstrap" has ever had to deal with the Byzantine laws on the poor. What can be bought, what can't.
I want to know his name.
I intend to move soon, possibly to Nevada, and I wouldn't want to inadvertently vote for such a loser.
Please, folks, whenever it is possible, use the full name and full position of "creepyfolk" who think that the utterly abandoned poor in this land are a standing joke, sneer-worthy, beneath notice.
Vote these people out.
Name them and put the list on a billboard: A ten-foot tall photo of whoever he is and foot-tall letters: "I WANT A TAX-FREE JOCKSTRAP!"
Let's make him and Bob and Wayne world famous!
What "men"!
Not.
The NYT loves to leave out details which disagree with its overall message. Here is something about Nevada's secretary of state.
"Barbara Cegavske ran for Secretary of State of Nevada in 2014 and defeated Democrat Kate Marshall. She supports Voter ID laws and opposes same-day voter registration and voting".
I have to say that if the Times and Trump had a lying contest, Trump would not have a chance.
"Barbara Cegavske ran for Secretary of State of Nevada in 2014 and defeated Democrat Kate Marshall. She supports Voter ID laws and opposes same-day voter registration and voting".
I have to say that if the Times and Trump had a lying contest, Trump would not have a chance.
6
At the office building where I work, tampons and pads are provided in the ladies room. I have yet to use them but it's an incredible stress relief to know that they are there for me in an emergency. I use reusable products but have been caught off guard many times. Once I was traveling for a work meeting and Aunt Flo arrived during our presentation; the ladies room at that office had a tampon machine but I didn't have a quarter and couldn't really run out to a pharmacy. These experiences made me think of how much less stressful women's lives would be if they knew tampons and pads were available in restrooms the way toilet paper is available (free of charge). A girl can dream...
31
When I was menstruating (I'm over the hill now), I kept a few tampons in my office desk drawer (or in school, in the locker) and also a couple in my purse. They used to give away little plastic containers that discreetly held 3 tampons.
Lots of office restrooms have a tampon/pad dispenser, and the cost is often very low -- 35 cents or so.
Whether or not an employer wants to fund this, and make it "free" is up to them. If it were free...the problem might be that SOME unscrupulous women would help themselves to handful of free tampons and leave none for others.
Do people steal toilet paper? YES THEY DO! my office had a terrible problem with people stealing toilet paper, paper towels, coffee filters and other "free" items. Now they are kept locked up.
Lots of office restrooms have a tampon/pad dispenser, and the cost is often very low -- 35 cents or so.
Whether or not an employer wants to fund this, and make it "free" is up to them. If it were free...the problem might be that SOME unscrupulous women would help themselves to handful of free tampons and leave none for others.
Do people steal toilet paper? YES THEY DO! my office had a terrible problem with people stealing toilet paper, paper towels, coffee filters and other "free" items. Now they are kept locked up.
4
Ha! I'm glad I don't work at your office.
1
"Studies also show that although female politicians have a wide range of positions, they often are more compassionate, better at working across the aisle and more willing to compromise, qualities intricately bound in successful policymaking."
I wish more men would realize the values women bring to the table and champion their aspirations toward government involvement. Men are the cause of gender inequality. We should be playing a bigger part in solving it.
I wish more men would realize the values women bring to the table and champion their aspirations toward government involvement. Men are the cause of gender inequality. We should be playing a bigger part in solving it.
23
Working with the opposite political party? Not true for Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters, Sheela Lee, Barbra Boxer or Dian Feinstein. It may be true for Republican women, but is demonstrably not true for Progressive Liberal women.
4
I've had a number of female bosses/supervisors, half were great, they understood the issues facing women, a significant number were a disappointment. The disappointments were the women who were more interested in helping themsleves than others. A significant number were detrimental to the careers of other women...they, like some of their male counterparts, were more concerned about being noticed by the opposite sex and sometimes worked extra hard to NOT help the fate of women.
I certainly agree we need significantly more women in elected office, but they need to be interested in the welfare of others, not just themselves, which has characterized many of their male counterparts. We don't need women in politics that are more male than the males.
I certainly agree we need significantly more women in elected office, but they need to be interested in the welfare of others, not just themselves, which has characterized many of their male counterparts. We don't need women in politics that are more male than the males.
86
Your whole premise simply proves one thing...women are equal to men. They can be equally nasty, ambitious and self seeking...but when they are good, they are very ,very good...
Ignoring a whole segment of our society is ignorant and dangerous...
Policies that help our whole society fairly are what is needed and that requires imput and the talents of both sexes, something that is sorely missing in our current misogynous government.
Ignoring a whole segment of our society is ignorant and dangerous...
Policies that help our whole society fairly are what is needed and that requires imput and the talents of both sexes, something that is sorely missing in our current misogynous government.
32
All I can think of is my city neighborhood back in the brutal Winter of 1978.
The snowplow had cleared our street but left masses of snow piled up alongside parked cars, and a dozen neighbors were out helping each other get them freed.
The men would stare at the tires from various angles, discuss vehicle gear ratios and steering mechanisms, shout advice to the driver behind the wheel, pick delicately at masses of ice to get "a good surface," and in general try to reason the car out of its snow trap.
Till one of the women said, "Could everyone just get behind here and PUSH?" With enough of us pushing, any car would roll free.
The snowplow had cleared our street but left masses of snow piled up alongside parked cars, and a dozen neighbors were out helping each other get them freed.
The men would stare at the tires from various angles, discuss vehicle gear ratios and steering mechanisms, shout advice to the driver behind the wheel, pick delicately at masses of ice to get "a good surface," and in general try to reason the car out of its snow trap.
Till one of the women said, "Could everyone just get behind here and PUSH?" With enough of us pushing, any car would roll free.
63
Not my experience at all, and I am sure I have seen much more snow in Wisconsin than Nancy has seen in Kentucky. By far it is more men who do the pushing and volunteering (though not exclusively). Furthermore, using intelligence and planning to free a car and avoid a bad back should be commended and not condemned.
1
Yes, the full spectrum of issues and concerns; And the completely full spectrum of women. A flood tide should inundate the land. Soak, saturate, and suffuse it. Women outnumber all else. Include in the meek not just the aggressive, the B students not just the Mensa click; come one come all. Now is the time for every woman to do some part, each in her own way as her own true self. By your numbers overwhelm. No great goddess need apply. Meek - inherit your earth.
20
I think that religion needs to be addressed at the same time, as having more women produce more equity in legislation only works if they are unencumbered by beliefs that subjugate women. The Bible is filled with passages that show women should be treated as property.
That accounts for the difference between women on the right voting against women's rights and those on the left who have a more humane outlook.
That accounts for the difference between women on the right voting against women's rights and those on the left who have a more humane outlook.
71
Scott, those on the left are perfectly happy with the killing of fetuses, half of whom are female.
The idea that women want to kill the unborn is truly bizarre and has been sold to women as "you are not equal unless you have an abortion."
The reality is that Latin America (unlike the US) has had several women heads of state and almost all opposed to abortion.
The idea that women want to kill the unborn is truly bizarre and has been sold to women as "you are not equal unless you have an abortion."
The reality is that Latin America (unlike the US) has had several women heads of state and almost all opposed to abortion.
Interesting article also from the point of view that legislation, being a complicated process, to be more effective it needs diverse contributions from a wider range of politicians: women on average are better equipped at collaborating and mediating the ideas and opinions of many.
I have one criticism of the article though. The study that has been cited suggests that, the willingness to compromise, which helps women become more effective lawmakers when they are in the minority party, is of limited value in a polarized majority party. The article instead seems to completely ignore it and says "more Republican women into the fold could play an enormous role".
I have one criticism of the article though. The study that has been cited suggests that, the willingness to compromise, which helps women become more effective lawmakers when they are in the minority party, is of limited value in a polarized majority party. The article instead seems to completely ignore it and says "more Republican women into the fold could play an enormous role".
4
I fail to see any difference between a right wing woman and a right wing man.
Both want to deprive people of health care, and both make up excuses why that's a good thing.
Both want to deprive people of health care, and both make up excuses why that's a good thing.
178
Even a right-wing woman might be more hesitant about dropping bombs on families. Our testosterone was very handy in fighting off tigers with spears---not needed so much now. We've seen the history of men and war. Maybe women should be in charge of the military now---they could not possibly do any worse.
18
Margaret Thatcher did worse.
1
Always exceptions and only the militarily aggressive women will be voted in at first. It will take awhile before women can educate men that war is not a video game or something to be proud of.
4
Since only about a third of women menstruate, The Tampon Power Political Party, is the tyranny of the minority when all women are asked to pay
(oops)
(oops)
4
Not all people have children but we all pay taxes for schools, though increasingly less money these days. Not all people use roads but we all pay for those too.
47
The only women I know who have never menstruated are those that haven't yet reached puberty and they are usually called girls. As a women who is now finished with that business, I support a repeal of taxation on these products that are necessary to the maintenance of good health for those rather important people, women of child-bearing age.
6
@Katherine Cagle: it is provably untrue that the taxes for public schools have GONE DOWN. The US spends more on each school child than any other nation -- $20,000 each -- with dismal results.
Maybe paying taxes is not the "cure all" for every problem.
Maybe paying taxes is not the "cure all" for every problem.
1
This is the year of the women. Women all across this country are uniting, organizing and are committed to making this country better for our communities, children and grandchildren. Look where these male dominated politicians have gotten us. And now they to start playing with their war toys. Enough is enough, our country deserves better. So here is to the Year of the Women, long may she reign!!
58
So are all personal hygiene products taxed in Nevada? If so, then the tampon/pad bill is sexist. If medical supplies are not taxed, then pass a law saying tampons are medical supplies, which is reasonable. I am disgusted with sexist legislation and legislators. Sexist womyn are no different from sexist men and neither are fit to represent We the People.
And you do not have to buy tampons and pads. There are other ways to easily and safely deal with periods that do not cost a lot of money and I took advantage of them. We are just changing faces on sexist legislators and The People will be no better off for it.
And you do not have to buy tampons and pads. There are other ways to easily and safely deal with periods that do not cost a lot of money and I took advantage of them. We are just changing faces on sexist legislators and The People will be no better off for it.
8
Please educate us and tell us what those methods are.
20
A free tampon doesn't begin to pay for hundreds of years of male pampering (including health care plans that pay for little purple pills)
22
Menstrual cups https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup. They've been around for decades and finally you can now get them in drug stores, at least here in Canada
3
I'd say having a more equal representation of women and men in office can't be any worse than what we've got now. In the words of our fearless leader, "What have you got to lose?"
30
I would suggest that some of these commentators read Philip Wylie's "The Disappearance". Yes, it's an "old" speculative fiction book (do something different: go to the library to see if they have it). One-half of the book is how the world copes after the disappearance of all the women. And the other half
it's how the world copes with the disappearance of all the men.
Along with The Handmaid's Tale, it should be required reading for middle schoolers.
And as for the tampon issue: I'll say the same thing I once told my ex-husband when he wondered why I was so grumpy once a month: "You try walking around with a mess between your legs seven days a month."
it's how the world copes with the disappearance of all the men.
Along with The Handmaid's Tale, it should be required reading for middle schoolers.
And as for the tampon issue: I'll say the same thing I once told my ex-husband when he wondered why I was so grumpy once a month: "You try walking around with a mess between your legs seven days a month."
18
The whole POINT about tampons is that they are cleaner and more easy to keep clean than sanitary napkins were.
If you have a "mess between your legs", Mitzi, you are doing some dreadfully wrong.
And if you are "grumpy" for one week in four....you are not getting proper pain medications like Naprosyn or Motrin from your OB-GYN. I suggest you find a new doctor!
If you have a "mess between your legs", Mitzi, you are doing some dreadfully wrong.
And if you are "grumpy" for one week in four....you are not getting proper pain medications like Naprosyn or Motrin from your OB-GYN. I suggest you find a new doctor!
Read the book when I was about 16, and well into my second decade of sword-wielding feminism (without ever having heard the word "feminist.")
Got a bit upset with the women who let the airplane fall; but adored that their world didn't go up in a rage of flames.
We could use another story like that about now!
Got a bit upset with the women who let the airplane fall; but adored that their world didn't go up in a rage of flames.
We could use another story like that about now!
4
Women seem to legislate better than they vote!
After all Trump's victory was only possible due the 52% of white women voters who picked him
I suspect the damage to women's rights and issues from Trump will far outweigh anything women legislators will accomplish.
After all Trump's victory was only possible due the 52% of white women voters who picked him
I suspect the damage to women's rights and issues from Trump will far outweigh anything women legislators will accomplish.
63
I am a white woman who did NOT vote for him, and I think you make a fair point.
38
The hateful fake news about Hilary was directed to its targeted audience of women who are anti abortion. My relatives shared and liked sites that told them that Hilary was for abortions up through the 9th month! It was impossible to correct.
So there's that.
So there's that.
7
I'm pretty sure that most of those women voted for Trump because their husbands voted for him. The kind of women who would marry such men aren't the kind who would have much in the way of brainpower up there.
I've met them. Still convinced that's the reason.
I've met them. Still convinced that's the reason.
7
"Cheaper tampons."
Here's an idea. Instead of laws forcing other people to give you stuff, how about this: Start your own tampon making company that sells cheaper tampons. After all, how hard can it be?
Here's an idea. Instead of laws forcing other people to give you stuff, how about this: Start your own tampon making company that sells cheaper tampons. After all, how hard can it be?
10
Jeff, I'm a woman -- albeit past that stage of life where I'd buy tampons -- and I just don't get it.
Have the price of tampons gone up drastically in the last decade or something? When I did buy them, they were not expensive and I never had to choose "tampons or groceries!" They go on sale, just like other personal products, and there are ALWAYS coupons in the paper for tampons and other sanitary products.
I now have senior relatives, who require adult diapers or "Poise" pads for urinary incontinence -- this is ALSO a "sanitary" product -- are these to be discounted as well? and where does it end?
Men shave a lot more than women, so should the state subsidize their razors and shaving cream?
Instead of showing how enlightened female legislators can be....this article inadvertently seems to demonstrate they can be trivial and biased, and are very ideologically partisan and ALL OF THEM are liberal, left-wing Democrats!
NOTE: an organization that only wants to promote females of ONE PARTY is not about equality. It's about "thought control".
Have the price of tampons gone up drastically in the last decade or something? When I did buy them, they were not expensive and I never had to choose "tampons or groceries!" They go on sale, just like other personal products, and there are ALWAYS coupons in the paper for tampons and other sanitary products.
I now have senior relatives, who require adult diapers or "Poise" pads for urinary incontinence -- this is ALSO a "sanitary" product -- are these to be discounted as well? and where does it end?
Men shave a lot more than women, so should the state subsidize their razors and shaving cream?
Instead of showing how enlightened female legislators can be....this article inadvertently seems to demonstrate they can be trivial and biased, and are very ideologically partisan and ALL OF THEM are liberal, left-wing Democrats!
NOTE: an organization that only wants to promote females of ONE PARTY is not about equality. It's about "thought control".
9
I believe it is a tax issue and not a production issue. The problem with men is ....too much small head thinking.
18
Concerned, you miss the point. You probably have always had an income which allowed you not to have to really consider whether or not to spend any money on yourself, even on your personal sanitary needs, or whether to spend your very limited money on your children's food. In short, you have not known poverty, an since poverty disproportionately effects women, THAT is the issue.
26
Since we are talking about women in legislatures where issues of health care are discussed, I hope that when someone of either gender complains about having to pay for women's health needs like birth control, I hope they make mention of how things like Viagra, Cialis, penis pumps, penile implants, etc - are covered by insurance and Medicare - despite the fact that they are entirely about sexual pleasure.
And yes, while they are there, they might have something to say about dropping the "Mother of All Bombs" on a people who we then vilify and refuse refuge. And we can only hope that having more women in places of power will show us the world is a much better place when people listen to each other and it's not run by posturing bullies.
And yes, while they are there, they might have something to say about dropping the "Mother of All Bombs" on a people who we then vilify and refuse refuge. And we can only hope that having more women in places of power will show us the world is a much better place when people listen to each other and it's not run by posturing bullies.
164
It's a really odd meme of the left lately -- that Viagra is "free" but women must pay for contraception.
For starters, Viagra is NOT contraception nor is it an aphrodisiac. If you think that it is a "male sexual enhancer", you are completely incorrect from every medical point of view.
It is also not covered by Medicare nor Medicaid nor the VA -- most insurance does NOT cover it -- only a few private plans. Most men buy it without insurance.
Penis pumps/implants are also not "sex enhancers" but for men with serious medical problems. Women also have surgery and medications to help with sexual things like vaginal dryness, menopause, endometriosis -- are you suggesting these NOT be covered? because they deal with sex?
Is sex a normal part of life people are entitled to -- or not? If a woman uses birth control (WHICH IS NOW FREE)...isn't that for HER sexual pleasure? So she can enjoy sex, free of worries about unwanted pregnancy?
If you believe that men are NOT entitled to drugs or medical devices, so they can continue to have normal sex lives...then you are arguing to eliminate Obamacare mandates for insurance coverage of birth control.
For starters, Viagra is NOT contraception nor is it an aphrodisiac. If you think that it is a "male sexual enhancer", you are completely incorrect from every medical point of view.
It is also not covered by Medicare nor Medicaid nor the VA -- most insurance does NOT cover it -- only a few private plans. Most men buy it without insurance.
Penis pumps/implants are also not "sex enhancers" but for men with serious medical problems. Women also have surgery and medications to help with sexual things like vaginal dryness, menopause, endometriosis -- are you suggesting these NOT be covered? because they deal with sex?
Is sex a normal part of life people are entitled to -- or not? If a woman uses birth control (WHICH IS NOW FREE)...isn't that for HER sexual pleasure? So she can enjoy sex, free of worries about unwanted pregnancy?
If you believe that men are NOT entitled to drugs or medical devices, so they can continue to have normal sex lives...then you are arguing to eliminate Obamacare mandates for insurance coverage of birth control.
1
"Is sex a normal part of life people are entitled to -- or not? If a woman uses birth control (WHICH IS NOW FREE)...isn't that for HER sexual pleasure? So she can enjoy sex, free of worries about unwanted pregnancy?"
It is not "free." It is covered without a co-pay by insurance. I pay for my insurance premiums.
Yes, sex is a normal part of life that people are entitled to.
Birth control is not "for sexual pleasure." Vibrators are for sexual pleasure. Try as I might, I just can't get my pack of pills to produce the same effect!!! Am I doing it wrong?!?!? For most people, having a regular sex life with a romantic partner is a normal, healthy part of life. Planning pregnancies is crucial to protecting a woman's health and giving her agency over her life. Birth control allows her to do that. To pretend that birth control is used to permit deviant sexual activity, or allow some clandestine "pleasure" or "good time," rather than acknowledging human sexuality and women's autonomy as two perfectly normal things that can and should co-exist, is fallacious thinking and inherently sexist.
It is not "free." It is covered without a co-pay by insurance. I pay for my insurance premiums.
Yes, sex is a normal part of life that people are entitled to.
Birth control is not "for sexual pleasure." Vibrators are for sexual pleasure. Try as I might, I just can't get my pack of pills to produce the same effect!!! Am I doing it wrong?!?!? For most people, having a regular sex life with a romantic partner is a normal, healthy part of life. Planning pregnancies is crucial to protecting a woman's health and giving her agency over her life. Birth control allows her to do that. To pretend that birth control is used to permit deviant sexual activity, or allow some clandestine "pleasure" or "good time," rather than acknowledging human sexuality and women's autonomy as two perfectly normal things that can and should co-exist, is fallacious thinking and inherently sexist.
394
Viagra is regularly promoted as a cure for erectile dysfunction.
The active ingredient in Viagra was approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction. It is designed to give you an erection, and erections are only good for sex and making a tent in your blanket.
And when you advertise that if your erection lasts more than four hours, you should call a doctor," I would guess that is advertising it as a "sex enhancer."
The active ingredient in Viagra was approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction. It is designed to give you an erection, and erections are only good for sex and making a tent in your blanket.
And when you advertise that if your erection lasts more than four hours, you should call a doctor," I would guess that is advertising it as a "sex enhancer."
21
It is obvious of course that an insightful and compassionate male leader is better than a cruel female one. Just because a leader is a woman doesn't mean she is helping other women.
I feel like mainstream feminism is only about careerism, sexual freedom and self esteem. These have not been the biggest issues in my life. My greatest problems have been (1) about being a small woman -- and the two men who have threatened me have, of course, been men who called themselves feminists. And (2) getting my children to school and trying to cope with huge amounts of snow when I had a babe in arms and no car. This sounds so minor but it was nearly three years of grinding physical work carrying a child. I did not get 'fit', I got sick.
And did the female kindergarten teacher care -- who in Canada are ex-business execs who earn 90K? No, she told me, word for word, "your daughter is the worst student in the class". Did the female principal, who wore high heels everyday, care? She never even talked to parents. This was a new problem for us parents because in the distant past kids walked alone (basically illegal now where I live) and then there was no snow for a couple decades.
Are female leaders real listeners? Not necessarily.
Often, too, it's sexist men, ironically, who are most aware that women lack upper body strength, are sometimes fearful of men, and so on -- and can be compassionate.
I don't want my son judged, either, being dismissed, because he's 'just' a man.
I feel like mainstream feminism is only about careerism, sexual freedom and self esteem. These have not been the biggest issues in my life. My greatest problems have been (1) about being a small woman -- and the two men who have threatened me have, of course, been men who called themselves feminists. And (2) getting my children to school and trying to cope with huge amounts of snow when I had a babe in arms and no car. This sounds so minor but it was nearly three years of grinding physical work carrying a child. I did not get 'fit', I got sick.
And did the female kindergarten teacher care -- who in Canada are ex-business execs who earn 90K? No, she told me, word for word, "your daughter is the worst student in the class". Did the female principal, who wore high heels everyday, care? She never even talked to parents. This was a new problem for us parents because in the distant past kids walked alone (basically illegal now where I live) and then there was no snow for a couple decades.
Are female leaders real listeners? Not necessarily.
Often, too, it's sexist men, ironically, who are most aware that women lack upper body strength, are sometimes fearful of men, and so on -- and can be compassionate.
I don't want my son judged, either, being dismissed, because he's 'just' a man.
9
OK -- sorry for those experiences -- but they were in CANADA. Isn't this a discussion about US policies? We are told DAILY that Canada is a virtual utopia of liberal politics, compared to the US!
In the US, everyone I know gets bus service to public school if they live more than a few blocks away. Is this unknown in CANADA? really?
In the US, everyone I know gets bus service to public school if they live more than a few blocks away. Is this unknown in CANADA? really?
2
"I feel like mainstream feminism is only about careerism, sexual freedom and self esteem"
Well, you need to pay more attention. The feminist movement has expanded far beyond this and spends considerable efforts addressing violence against women and rape culture. You should also investigate the idea of "intersectional feminism" and see what work is happening there. I recommend the website "everyday feminism."
Also, a teacher criticizing your daughter's performance doesn't have anything to do with feminism. Neither does the principle's footwear.
Well, you need to pay more attention. The feminist movement has expanded far beyond this and spends considerable efforts addressing violence against women and rape culture. You should also investigate the idea of "intersectional feminism" and see what work is happening there. I recommend the website "everyday feminism."
Also, a teacher criticizing your daughter's performance doesn't have anything to do with feminism. Neither does the principle's footwear.
4
Hey Concerned Citizen, actually really funny! It's not a utopia here at all -- and I feel I need to point that out to you guys. Seriously, whenever I go to the States I'm like 'Everyone looks so happy here' ;)
All well and good, but aren't these women elected to represent the men in their constituencies as well? If the sole purpose of running for office is to enact legislation only to benefit a specific gender, then where is the democracy? Let's talk about true equality for the sexes and aspire for there to be elections based upon merit and equanimity despite gender.
Instead of addressing the symptoms of inequality, let's concentrate on the cause.
Instead of addressing the symptoms of inequality, let's concentrate on the cause.
7
Give me a break! Look at the White House. When was the last time a politician, any politician, represented the entire constituency, male, female, black, white, Christian, Muslim, Jew, etc.? They don't even represent the interests of those that voted him/her into office. In fact, politicians are being more and more brazen about representing his/her own interests.
18
If you read the article in today's paper, you will see that women listen better than men, and interrupt less. Men interrupt women far more often than they interrupt men. Just saying....
6
If by 'interrupt" you mean that I should not have a right to comment on this article because I am male, maybe you should sit down and read the constitution.
1
$6.99 a box. You need three boxes (if you have nothing to start with), for different flow days, plus pads, for a single month. Now they make combination boxes, but those are more expensive, at $9 a box. And I still have to get two absorbancies. So figure $18 a month from age 12 to age 50. 38 x 12 x 18= $8208. That's 8k a man has spent on toys, golf, used to pay bills, that the woman straight off the top doesn't get to decide what to do with, or negotiate in the budget. Cut the jockstrap tax? Better make that a cup, because if he said that to me he'd be doubled up on the floor after I kicked him.
492
Clearly, women are the more violent sex.
2
I think statistics clearly dispute that.
6
Hate and faux outrage can blind people from good, cost effective solutions. Ask your state legislators if medical supplies are taxed. If they say yes, then the tax on tampons and pads is fair and just. If all the supplies that go along with devices like catheters, ostomy bags, and such are not taxed, then push to have tampons correctly classified as the medical supplies that they are.
Why should womyn in NY and FL get a tax break on tampons when men and women cannot get a tax break on catheter supplies? Which condition is more life threatening for a poor person?
Why should womyn in NY and FL get a tax break on tampons when men and women cannot get a tax break on catheter supplies? Which condition is more life threatening for a poor person?
1
Just reading the comments helps me realize that HRC was never going to win in 2016. If so many NYT readers are this afraid of women in state level elected offices I can only imagine how they would wilt with a woman as president.
212
I agree. It's shocking proof that many of the "liberal" readers of the NY Times are basically misogynist and committed to maintaining male dominance of our society. I had hoped in my lifetime things would change, but it seems we have too far to go.
I am a man and voted for Jill Stein. Hillary is unelectable, and rightly so. The revelation of how the DNC worked to disadvantage the Sanders campaign to favor HRC should be enough to discourage reasonably minded voters to avoid voting for her. Unlike others, many of the women commenting in this article don't care about the issues if they aren't exclusively gender concerned.
1
If you would not vote for Sarah Palin because she is a woman, why should I vote for Hillary because she is a woman?
I voted for Jill Stein because she works for humans, not global corporations. And yes Hillary has the millions of dollars in "speaking fees"and a record of what she and her husband actually did (not Republican talking points) to prove she works for global corporations.
I spent over a year telling Democrats that Clinton was unelectable, but you wouldn't listen, so stop blaming everyone but yourselves.
I voted for Jill Stein because she works for humans, not global corporations. And yes Hillary has the millions of dollars in "speaking fees"and a record of what she and her husband actually did (not Republican talking points) to prove she works for global corporations.
I spent over a year telling Democrats that Clinton was unelectable, but you wouldn't listen, so stop blaming everyone but yourselves.
1
It was long past time for America to elect a female President, which was the HUGE missed opportunity in the last election. Regrettably, that failed candidate has yet to take full responsibility for the her own shortcomings as a leader and visionary - as the principal reasons for her defeat. Yes, the campaign was petty and nasty, but what lost was a set of ideas that failed to sufficiently galvanize the electorate. (The feeble election turnout provides irrefutable proof of that). That aforementioned ability is probably the most critical skill set a politician of any gender must have. In thar regard, the people have spoken, to the chagrin of Hillary and all those who didn't vote. Elections have consequences and people want leaders. Hillary was a bureaucrat. I will gladly vote for a leader of any gender. Developing and practicing this skill should be the foremost aspiration of any program intended to support a larger number of (female) candidates to run for office. As sad as it is to say, the world needs fewer Hillarys and more Eleanor Roosevelts, had she been alive in this age...
6
You suggest Eleanor Roosevelt would have made a better candidate than Hillary Clinton, but I suspect you would have had a similar harsh view of Eleanor. In her life, Ms. Roosevelt was treated just like you are treating Sec. Clinton. Quoting Prof. Blanche Wiesen Cook, "Many forget how vilified Roosevelt was in the press, how she was attacked by pundits and cartoonists no matter what she said. And she was mocked by insiders as well--members of her husband's Cabinet and inner circle, who wanted to get the "pants off Eleanor" and on to Franklin."
7
What does that say about our perception of a supposedly democratic system the "it's time to elect a female president"? Let's get back to basics and vote for the candidate who intends to help us.
1
Eleanor Roosevelt would not have been elected last November, Rob. The U.S. in its backwardness isn't ready for a women as its leader.
So your saying that you'd vote for one is just so much piffle. There would always be the reason that she "failed to sufficiently galvanize the electorate." (Whatever that really means.)
So your saying that you'd vote for one is just so much piffle. There would always be the reason that she "failed to sufficiently galvanize the electorate." (Whatever that really means.)
1
"the extra amount women are charged for items like feminine hygiene products"? I seriously doubt that if a man went into a store and bought feminine hygiene products he would be charged less for them than a woman. (And if you respond "That's not what she meant", I would say that I'd hope an English instructor could write unambiguously.)
5
It is equally doubtful that married men aren't paying for feminine hygiene items. And their own razor blades and shaving cream. Why can't we have that stuff for free?
3
"Untaxed" is not the same as "free."
35
Jeff Guinn in Germany, American women shave too.
2
So what the author is saying is that we need more women legislators to give women preferential treatment by law?
This is not new - champions of the ACA decried women paying more for health insurance (even though they use more services) but remained silent on men paying more for car and life insurance. So it seems that eliminating gender disparities are only sought when women benefit.
How about we elect legislators that take a more egalitarian position across the board. I don't care if they are male or female.
This is not new - champions of the ACA decried women paying more for health insurance (even though they use more services) but remained silent on men paying more for car and life insurance. So it seems that eliminating gender disparities are only sought when women benefit.
How about we elect legislators that take a more egalitarian position across the board. I don't care if they are male or female.
15
Men pay higher auto insurance because many of the actions that they take and decisions that they make are riskier and result in more accidents. Women's need for more health care services is a result of nature and the ability to bear children. Shouldn't men share this burden with them?
15
Our economy depends on people being able to get around. Are you saying that's not mutually beneficial to men and women? With birth control, isn't having a children mainly a choice? Where I work, fertility treatments (for men and women) is covered by our health plan, quite often needed because women wait to have children beyond their most fertile years. People make choices all the time.
If you read the article, you will see that preferential treatment is clearly not what is being sought here - it is simply paying attention to issues that affect and are important to women. Sometimes, not always, those issues are different than ones men choose. Is this so difficult? For example, I value Planned Parenthood, education for kids, rehab over punishment for drug use. I am not a supporter of buying more missiles, bombs and war toys. Why should my taxes pay for those? I know, you will tell me that if we don't have an army we'll be vulnerable to those who do. But what if women controlled those budgets too? That's my point. Not saying aggressive behavior would magically go away, but I'm betting it would lessen considerably. Men's priorities and the masculine prerogative has been forefront for so long we are blind to its dominance.
15
So government handouts ("free tampons!") are custom tailored to women when there are more women lawmakers. What a powerful, compelling rationale for electing more women! But wait, even more powerful stuff is coming:
"Emerge does not give its trainees direction on the type of legislation they should pursue ... It strives to produce well-rounded candidates, albeit Democratic ones."
That's right folks, no bias here! The Democratic party should do an infomercial over that one.
"Emerge does not give its trainees direction on the type of legislation they should pursue ... It strives to produce well-rounded candidates, albeit Democratic ones."
That's right folks, no bias here! The Democratic party should do an infomercial over that one.
6
Sheesh. The article clearly said that the legislators wanted NO TAX on hygeine products, not free handouts.
25
This isn't a hand out. It's not a free tampon. It's reduced taxes.
I don't understand how all of these men commenting here can scream and cry about women asking for "free stuff" and say women shouldn't be in government while simultaneously demonstrating that they can't even READ.
I don't understand how all of these men commenting here can scream and cry about women asking for "free stuff" and say women shouldn't be in government while simultaneously demonstrating that they can't even READ.
15
I wonder if it's something in Florida's water. Maybe global warming. Too hot and humid?
3
We'd been raised to believe that the word "breast" is not to be uttered in polite company, that the "period" truly is God's punishment and that's all it is and not to be mentioned, that women's problems are just that, that is, those of that other sex, not our concern. That women's problems are an embarrassment. Our dearly loved mothers and fathers taught us that. How do we honor them, our parents, and still get around what they taught us? We do not regard what they taught us as mere opinion. It's a hard row. But, by God, I'm going to hoe it.
13
Dude, I have no idea where you were raised -- or when -- but I was taught NOTHING OF THE KIND.
I was taught, as a child even, that a woman's period is a natural and normal process that makes having babies possible (later on, when you are married) and that it was not shameful or dirty IN ANY WAY.
I may not go on and on about periods in mixed company, but among women....we laugh and complain about this stuff. Sometimes I meet a woman who is very uncomfortable with her periods -- think they are dirty or disgusting -- and I try to enlighten her.
I thought that in the 70s, books like "Our Bodies Ourselves" helped women to form healthy notions about their bodies and how they work!
I can't answer, Len, for what YOUR individual mother and father taught you -- but I assure you that my parents did NOT teach me or my brothers that our bodies were shameful or unnatural when they worked as designed!
And today: there is very good information online and at libraries, for every person to learn the factual science behind human reproduction. And periods are a PART of human reproduction! even if you never have a baby.
I was taught, as a child even, that a woman's period is a natural and normal process that makes having babies possible (later on, when you are married) and that it was not shameful or dirty IN ANY WAY.
I may not go on and on about periods in mixed company, but among women....we laugh and complain about this stuff. Sometimes I meet a woman who is very uncomfortable with her periods -- think they are dirty or disgusting -- and I try to enlighten her.
I thought that in the 70s, books like "Our Bodies Ourselves" helped women to form healthy notions about their bodies and how they work!
I can't answer, Len, for what YOUR individual mother and father taught you -- but I assure you that my parents did NOT teach me or my brothers that our bodies were shameful or unnatural when they worked as designed!
And today: there is very good information online and at libraries, for every person to learn the factual science behind human reproduction. And periods are a PART of human reproduction! even if you never have a baby.
Sexism, like racism, is taught.
Sometimes it is "taught" by our beloved parents....
...who were "taught" by their beloved parents.
And on and on and on....
Good luck on that row... and remember to wear sunscreen.
Sometimes it is "taught" by our beloved parents....
...who were "taught" by their beloved parents.
And on and on and on....
Good luck on that row... and remember to wear sunscreen.
6
America has a chance to elect a woman who advocated progressive policies for women. in 2016. Instead they elected a male who is not progressive and one who complained about being chosen by Time as "person of the year," instead of "man of the year."
16
It is Delusional to characterize HRC as progressive. In more honest times she would be labeled as what she is, a moderate republican.
1
Thirty five years ago, when I was still working I walked around our sales offices and asked the women working within each division's sales office this question: What do you want to get most out of your job?
I thought they would say things like a promotion, a raise, more benefits. Instead nearly every one of them said, in their own words this: "respect for the work I do."
Imagine! Giving something to employees that doesn't cost their companies, one additional dime.
I thought they would say things like a promotion, a raise, more benefits. Instead nearly every one of them said, in their own words this: "respect for the work I do."
Imagine! Giving something to employees that doesn't cost their companies, one additional dime.
93
"[B]ecause women lawmakers are proving to be, across all the issues — women’s or not — more productive lawmakers." There it is, sexism, in your face.
6
How so? Productivity can actually be quantified.
7
Actually, it's not a sexist comment at all. Don't type things on tEh iNtErneTz until you're fully awake.
8
If, via our traditional gender socialization, American society encourages/guides women to build skills that more easily lead to solutions in a political situation, then data would show they are more productive (i.e., produce more legislation) lawmakers. Data cannot be sexist.
10
women in politics might actually show signs of caring for everybody ?
that would be a nice change from the usual fisticuffs of male pole-ticks
that would be a nice change from the usual fisticuffs of male pole-ticks
23
The recent presidential election proved that many women in the United States don't think of themselves as allied to FELLOW WOMEN. They consider themselves to be partners in their families, frustrated tax payers, often church-goers. Some of them hunt ... or they help out around Thanksgiving by preserving venison tenderloin and freezing chopped deer tongue and parts (said to be delicious). They watch over the budgets.
This was a surprise to many of us. It's one of the lessons feminists, and Democrats, must learn from last November.
I thought women would save us from Trump. I was dead wrong.
On the other hand, the election and comments posted on websites (including the NYT) demonstrated that plenty men really don't like women. Mike Pence, our vice-president, finds women so unnatural and potentially sinful that he won't risk dining alone with one. They're creepy. They bleed, they have breasts that drip milk sometimes, they get big bellies then squeeze out babies. Yuck.
This report about Nevada is heartening. People sympathetic to the author's argument might consider donating to Emily's List, which supports female political candidates. (EMILY: early money is like yeast).
Oh, but then there's Hillary. Defeated by an ignorant dishonest thug.
On we go.
This was a surprise to many of us. It's one of the lessons feminists, and Democrats, must learn from last November.
I thought women would save us from Trump. I was dead wrong.
On the other hand, the election and comments posted on websites (including the NYT) demonstrated that plenty men really don't like women. Mike Pence, our vice-president, finds women so unnatural and potentially sinful that he won't risk dining alone with one. They're creepy. They bleed, they have breasts that drip milk sometimes, they get big bellies then squeeze out babies. Yuck.
This report about Nevada is heartening. People sympathetic to the author's argument might consider donating to Emily's List, which supports female political candidates. (EMILY: early money is like yeast).
Oh, but then there's Hillary. Defeated by an ignorant dishonest thug.
On we go.
123
You don't k now Neal.
4
Neal, I'm serious, I don't understand what you mean. Pretend you're a woman and read the comments men have written in response to this article. Imagine yourself with breasts, wearing a bra. Does that feel demeaning? Then my point is proven.
My dad was kind, my husband of 39 years is patient and curious, my two grown sons are thoughtful.
And Mike Pence is a control freak, Donald Trump a shocking sexist who enjoys grabbing women "by the ..." to prove his dominance, and yes .. I'm scared by all this. And really angry.
My dad was kind, my husband of 39 years is patient and curious, my two grown sons are thoughtful.
And Mike Pence is a control freak, Donald Trump a shocking sexist who enjoys grabbing women "by the ..." to prove his dominance, and yes .. I'm scared by all this. And really angry.
11
I think that all Vice President Pense is saying is that he wishes to avoid any possible APPEARANCE of sexual impropriety.
I think it's a bit excessive, but remember that President Trump is often accused of "groping" and ex-President Bill Clinton had an affair with an intern in the Oval Office (!!!) and was found guilty in court of sexually harassing Paula Jones (and accused by many others!) and fined and lost his law license.
Pense never said he thought women were "creepy" or any of the hateful allegations you post here. He's a long-married man with children, so clearly he is not afraid of human reproduction.
I think it's a bit excessive, but remember that President Trump is often accused of "groping" and ex-President Bill Clinton had an affair with an intern in the Oval Office (!!!) and was found guilty in court of sexually harassing Paula Jones (and accused by many others!) and fined and lost his law license.
Pense never said he thought women were "creepy" or any of the hateful allegations you post here. He's a long-married man with children, so clearly he is not afraid of human reproduction.
2
Looks like women are the same as men to me when they run for office. The people that win and make the political office their permanent job have ego's the size of the Grand Canyon. They are the lifetime politicians just like the men.
The really good women legislators just the really good men legislators never stand out.
Can you imagine ever hiring a person like Maxine Waters or Elizabeth Warren to work at your place of business??...you wouldn't, but we vote for them time after time anyway.
The really good women legislators just the really good men legislators never stand out.
Can you imagine ever hiring a person like Maxine Waters or Elizabeth Warren to work at your place of business??...you wouldn't, but we vote for them time after time anyway.
8
I'd be happy to hire either woman. You? I don't know if I'd let you in the front door. (Speaking as a male, 61-year-old male Indiana resident.)
20
Actually I would hire either Maxine or Elizabeth in a heartbeat! For any business ! They're intelligent, hard-working, knowledgeable and dynamic. What is your problem with them?
21
Independent: You left out Gabby Gifford.
You left out Shirley Chissom.
Hillary Clinton.
Margaret Chase Smith.
Bella Abzug.
Maxine Waters? Brilliant, classy, always prepared.
Elizabeth Warren? Sharp, one of the best brains we've ever seen.
You getting ready for the next election cycle, poisoning the well already?
So is Trump.
He put his new election papers in on the day he took oath.
He's doing very well, I hear.
I wouldn't hire him for any business, any position, at any salary, or allow him to volunteer for any venture I controlled.
I truly believe that he is the crookedest public servant that has ever been elected.
You left out Shirley Chissom.
Hillary Clinton.
Margaret Chase Smith.
Bella Abzug.
Maxine Waters? Brilliant, classy, always prepared.
Elizabeth Warren? Sharp, one of the best brains we've ever seen.
You getting ready for the next election cycle, poisoning the well already?
So is Trump.
He put his new election papers in on the day he took oath.
He's doing very well, I hear.
I wouldn't hire him for any business, any position, at any salary, or allow him to volunteer for any venture I controlled.
I truly believe that he is the crookedest public servant that has ever been elected.
8
I'll agree that women's time has arrived, but with one annoying caveat.
How on earth could do many women have voted for Trump?
How on earth could do many women have voted for Trump?
41
To RjW: The reason why so many women voted for Trump was that many women could not stand Hillary Clinton. Sure, Hillary would have been far better than Trump. But many short-sighted, naive leftist women, e.g., Susan Sarandon, failed to vote because they were angry about how Bernie Sanders was treated by the Democratic Party in the primary a woman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chair of the Democratic Party, lied and blocked access to voting in Nevada and other states to insure Hillary's win in the primary. When Debbie was outed at the Democratic Convention, Hillary immediately sided with Debbie and made her Honorary Campaign Chair. Hillary ran a horrible campaign and is herself incompetent in many ways as well as morrally compromised. Women are less tolerant of this behavior than men. I voted for Hillary despite the fact that I couldn't stand her, because I wanted to vote against Trump and she was the only way to do that. But most women - 52% it turns out don't like to compromise. They hold other women to a higher standard than male politicians. So Hillary shot herself in the foot when she accepted $700,000 pay for speeches to Goldman Sachs, plotted how to erase Bernie supporters email lists, failed to campaign in red states despite hubby Bill's advice, and generally acted like the presidency was already hers. Hillary lost the women's vote. Donald won many women by default. And many women are very much influenced by their husbands to preserve the "traditional family."
seriously, why DO tampons cost so much? it's paper, a little cotton.
14
They cost so much because manufacturers and retailers can get more profits out of a necessity. It's kind of like the pharmaceutical industry. People (women, in this case) need them, so sellers try to make as much money as possible, even when those prices are not justified.
25
There's a thing called competition. Manufacturers and retailers compete aggressively with each other and price is a factor.
There are more tampon brands and retailers than cell phone companies, but just look how cell phone data plans have dropped in the last 6 months. How much extra do you pay for long distance calls across the country now? Oh.... nothing these days.
But when it comes to Tampons, it seems that everyone in the supply chain is raising prices just because women buy the products?
There are more tampon brands and retailers than cell phone companies, but just look how cell phone data plans have dropped in the last 6 months. How much extra do you pay for long distance calls across the country now? Oh.... nothing these days.
But when it comes to Tampons, it seems that everyone in the supply chain is raising prices just because women buy the products?
1
Then a manufacturer could lower its price a tiny amount and capture the market.
So, unless there is a massive conspiracy among manufacturers, "as much money as possible" is constrained by all the other manufacturers: that's how the free market works, with tampons just as much as with food, another necessity.
So, unless there is a massive conspiracy among manufacturers, "as much money as possible" is constrained by all the other manufacturers: that's how the free market works, with tampons just as much as with food, another necessity.
1
Duh! Give a gal a ride to the polling station next time you head there. Or baby sit. Or wave pics of the Donald caught in flagrante (NOT a pretty sight, I confess; OR it's a great turn-out-the-vote on election day when all them moms pull over to pick up their kids at day-care on their way home from their 9-5 only to find the alpha male tipping back a Bud and watching Saturday Night football replays AND his hair died blonde...
5
Begin Quote:
"Cheaper tampons. Office breaks to pump breast milk. No co-pay on birth control."
End Quote
Please tell me you're kidding. Only one has any real validity. And only in an office where they don't treat people as human.
Cheaper tampons? We'll skip this one entirely as it has no right to even waste time.
Break time to pump milk? I've never worked anywhere where management would deny such a thing but I suppose that type of management exists. I don't know if the law should be involved but maybe in some instances it's needed.
Co-pay on birth control? In my opinion that's strictly a choice others should not bear.
As time goes on it appears to me far too many want more and more government control in our lives. The co-pay comment qualifies.
I think we all know women can just as easily handle an elected position as well, or as bad, as a man. The examples brought up in the first paragraph show just how absurd an elected female can be. But don't worry ladies... men are just as stupid. If not more so.
At the end of the day I have no doubt women can be just as self-centered as a man. And try to promote legislation that should never see the light of day. Congratulations! You have proven women can go as low as a man! Something to be really proud of! Not.
"Cheaper tampons. Office breaks to pump breast milk. No co-pay on birth control."
End Quote
Please tell me you're kidding. Only one has any real validity. And only in an office where they don't treat people as human.
Cheaper tampons? We'll skip this one entirely as it has no right to even waste time.
Break time to pump milk? I've never worked anywhere where management would deny such a thing but I suppose that type of management exists. I don't know if the law should be involved but maybe in some instances it's needed.
Co-pay on birth control? In my opinion that's strictly a choice others should not bear.
As time goes on it appears to me far too many want more and more government control in our lives. The co-pay comment qualifies.
I think we all know women can just as easily handle an elected position as well, or as bad, as a man. The examples brought up in the first paragraph show just how absurd an elected female can be. But don't worry ladies... men are just as stupid. If not more so.
At the end of the day I have no doubt women can be just as self-centered as a man. And try to promote legislation that should never see the light of day. Congratulations! You have proven women can go as low as a man! Something to be really proud of! Not.
8
Billy, did you even read the article?? The birth control issue was brought up in context with Viagra and penile pumps being covered by insurance AND Medicare! And these are purely for sexual pleasure. Birth control and its cost are extremely important to women, and men, since it can allow women to have successful careers while planning families. Your snarky comment about not paying for it shows your lack of understanding of insurance and how it works.
17
There is already FEDERAL LEGISLATION making all birth control 100% free -- FREE! it can't get any cheaper than FREE!
To have a state law forbidding co-pays makes no sense, as that is already NOT LEGAL UNDER FEDERAL LAW. It is a wasteful, stupid idea.
And breast milk? If you are working all day, and someone else is raising your baby .... your breast milk won't make a bit of difference. Breast milk is NOT some magical substance. What makes breast feeding superior is the closeness and intimacy of the mother/child bond -- the milk itself is not a magical potion. A baby does better if cuddled and bonded and fed by their mother -- even if the "milk" is formula. If the baby is fed by strangers in a cold, unfamiliar day care....no breast milk will make any difference.
And the whole tampon thing is ridiculous and will BACKFIRE and make these women legislators look ridiculous. Tampons are not costly. Family need other hygiene products! how about toilet paper? should that be subsidized by the state, also? At least that is gender-free and everyone needs it equally!
To have a state law forbidding co-pays makes no sense, as that is already NOT LEGAL UNDER FEDERAL LAW. It is a wasteful, stupid idea.
And breast milk? If you are working all day, and someone else is raising your baby .... your breast milk won't make a bit of difference. Breast milk is NOT some magical substance. What makes breast feeding superior is the closeness and intimacy of the mother/child bond -- the milk itself is not a magical potion. A baby does better if cuddled and bonded and fed by their mother -- even if the "milk" is formula. If the baby is fed by strangers in a cold, unfamiliar day care....no breast milk will make any difference.
And the whole tampon thing is ridiculous and will BACKFIRE and make these women legislators look ridiculous. Tampons are not costly. Family need other hygiene products! how about toilet paper? should that be subsidized by the state, also? At least that is gender-free and everyone needs it equally!
1
Are those items (Viagra, penile pumps) covered without any copays? And birth control is purely for sexual pleasure as there is a way to avoid pregnancy without birth control - and that is to avoid sexual pleasure.
1
My first thought on reading the article was, "At last, some good political news out of my home state!" Then I read the comments and my second thought is that some of them make it very clear that misogyny and patriarchy are alive amongst the readership of the New York Times! My daughter and her compatriots still have a long way to go and a lot of work ahead.
111
Then I read the comments and my second thought is that some of them make it very clear that minsandry and matriarchy are alive amongst the readership of the New York Times!
6
Father Eric,are you familiar with Lewis' Law? It states that the comment thread on any article concerning feminism proves the need for feminism. As here we see.
6
While I want anyone of any gender to feel free to run for office, I don't think it is a good idea to try to find out if we are "better" with a certain gender in power. First of all, while there are more men in office, there are also more female voters. Because voters determine who gets in office, women already have more influence over politics than men do. To say they don't is to say that voters aren't what actually matters in a democracy, which is the entire point of our type of government.
Secondly, one has only to look at politicians such as Bernie Sanders and Michelle Bachmann to see that being of a particular gender does not determine one's political views or activity. The ability to compromise or be compassionate is not based on gender. Sexist lines of thinking aren't going to help gender equality.
Secondly, one has only to look at politicians such as Bernie Sanders and Michelle Bachmann to see that being of a particular gender does not determine one's political views or activity. The ability to compromise or be compassionate is not based on gender. Sexist lines of thinking aren't going to help gender equality.
120
Sadly, voters do not determine who gets into office. Donald Trump lost the popular vote, and look who's sitting in the Oval Office. But the peculiarities of the Electoral College notwithstanding, money is what determines who wins elections now, and until we overturn Citizens United that will continue to be the case. So the fact that there are more female than male voters is immaterial.
40
The ability to compromise or be compassionate should not be based on gender, but in reality it often is. I say that as a feminist who has been around long enough to learn that I must take the world as it is and try to improve it with what I've got, not with what I wish I had.
29
Agnes - Trump won the popular vote of white women
So here we have more proof -- when men run legislatures men's issues are ignored, and when women run legislatures men's issues don't exist.
4
Good grief! Which 'men's issues' are being ignored, Frank?
17
Lisa, here are a few:
- Male suicide rates much higher
- Male homelessness much high
- Boys are several times more likely to be harshly disciplined in grade to high school.
- Less than 40% of college students are male now
- Colleges are now railroading men using problematic Title IX investigations.
- Men much more likely to get killed or maimed on the job.
- Men receive much harsher punishments than women for similar crimes and circumstances (much greater than racial disparities).
- Police are more likely to use deadly force on men than women under similar circumstances
Now, name one politician who even mentions any of these (much less the NY Times).
- Male suicide rates much higher
- Male homelessness much high
- Boys are several times more likely to be harshly disciplined in grade to high school.
- Less than 40% of college students are male now
- Colleges are now railroading men using problematic Title IX investigations.
- Men much more likely to get killed or maimed on the job.
- Men receive much harsher punishments than women for similar crimes and circumstances (much greater than racial disparities).
- Police are more likely to use deadly force on men than women under similar circumstances
Now, name one politician who even mentions any of these (much less the NY Times).
1
Ultimately this country will get "there." There being a reality and understanding that women deserve equal rights, equal awareness, and changes in attitudes by men as well as women. Evidence is becoming monumental that the sooner we get there the better we will be both in our country and in the rest of the world.
Imagine this for just a few moments. p of the present leaders in these five countries: Russia, China, North Korea, United States and Turkey you had women as their leaders. Do you honestly think they would be playing these ego games with each other? NO!
They would be talking together, marshaling all their countries' peoples and resources to bring about the compromises and understanding necessary to bring about improvements in the lives of all their people. Instead of propping up Egos at every turn they would be doing the nitty gritty needed to get the job done....and they would do it a lot cheaper.
What men don't understand is that women dig this idea: "that a rising tide lifts all boats."
Imagine this for just a few moments. p of the present leaders in these five countries: Russia, China, North Korea, United States and Turkey you had women as their leaders. Do you honestly think they would be playing these ego games with each other? NO!
They would be talking together, marshaling all their countries' peoples and resources to bring about the compromises and understanding necessary to bring about improvements in the lives of all their people. Instead of propping up Egos at every turn they would be doing the nitty gritty needed to get the job done....and they would do it a lot cheaper.
What men don't understand is that women dig this idea: "that a rising tide lifts all boats."
25
That first sentence says it all. Nevada certainly tackles the thorniest problems! What's next on the agenda? A mandated "wear your flats day"? "Covered pot legislative sessions"? "Leave your sons home day"? In a state with legalized prostitution - an obviously empowering profession for women, rampant drug sales in their major city of vice, a highly militarized police force, and a haven for tax-avoiding businessess, we proclaim cheaper sanitary options as evidence of legislative competence. The term "lightweight" is an apt descriptor of these sponsors, their priorities, this column and alas, our lot as women so long as idiotic paeans to silliness like this column are held up as examples of gravitas. Thanks for the regression ladies.
12
I appreciate Bronson for making the distinction between that it's not that women do not win races, it's that they often do not run. In the US, there is a lot of emphasis put on how voting and political participation is important- in school, we vote for class presidents, in our classes or jobs matters are often settled by democratic vote, ect. to encourage us as children to be involved in the political process. However, I can't help but feel that women and (if I had to extrapolate findings of the study mentioned) minority groups often aren't as implicitly supported in participating, leading to a lot of people just assuming "they are unqualified to run for office". It makes me curious to know if instead of focusing so heavily on supporting programs and groups that try to influence politicians, I should be focusing on programs that try to create them instead.... Would we see more bills put forward protecting the safety of transpeople? More legislation written to support Native rights? Education reform?
5
Don't worry -- there are many of us now, working tireless for a "Truth in Gender" Amendment to the Constitution -- that will protect ALL Americans, by insisting that every person be truthful on all legal documents (passports. driver's licenses, other ID, SS cards, etc.) about their biological birth gender, which is the only real measure of gender/sex -- DNA.
That will end this whole ridiculous issue once and for all.
That will end this whole ridiculous issue once and for all.
1
Is this a joke? Is there really the need to have a law regulating the price of tampons? What kind of expert would cite this as an example of the benefits of having women in government? Oh...an "English instructor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas". That explains it. My heart goes out to all of the serious women in politics whose work is trivialized by this ignorant drivel.
12
Spoken like someone who never menstruated once a month. Thanks for the mansplaining condescension.
45
It's not drivel if you're poor and have to choose between food and sanitary napkins which, by the way, are subject to taxes. Lack of a jockstrap won't keep men from working, but it will certainly keep women with uncontrolled bleeding out of the workplace. It's not drivel when a male legislator, even jokingly, recommends going to the zoo for an abortion.
27
ML, if you want to disagree with Peter, do it with logic rather than complaining that he "explains like a man". It is sexist and unhelpful to the conversation.
1
"women in elected offices will not only advance gender equity, it will subsequently help men..."
Amen to the above. I'm an old man and all my adult life i have observed how "some" men treat women as second class citizens, and many of them hold public office. I just hope this wake up call 62 million of us got with Trump being elected with continue to inspire more women to run for public office.
Amen to the above. I'm an old man and all my adult life i have observed how "some" men treat women as second class citizens, and many of them hold public office. I just hope this wake up call 62 million of us got with Trump being elected with continue to inspire more women to run for public office.
200
Anything men can do women can do better... At this moment in our political reality, this generalization seems completely rational, and I would welcome an Icelandic feminist intervention into our entire body politic.
Men are certainly more effective at swinging clubs than women, generally speaking, and this historical importance should not be forgotten, after all, men played a very important role in getting us here- but in the modern world, too much testosterone in governance appears to be a dangerous thing.
Is it sexist to suggest that women's greater involvement in child rearing gives them better vision for the long view? Maybe it is just male hormones that make men blind to the long term consequences of their decision making. What is crystal clear is that our government in in need of a shake-up, and the recent infusion of testosterone in the executive branch is clearly not the prescription our country needs.
Men are certainly more effective at swinging clubs than women, generally speaking, and this historical importance should not be forgotten, after all, men played a very important role in getting us here- but in the modern world, too much testosterone in governance appears to be a dangerous thing.
Is it sexist to suggest that women's greater involvement in child rearing gives them better vision for the long view? Maybe it is just male hormones that make men blind to the long term consequences of their decision making. What is crystal clear is that our government in in need of a shake-up, and the recent infusion of testosterone in the executive branch is clearly not the prescription our country needs.
384
I don't think it is helpful in our society to start judging people for office based on their gender. You say that there was a "recent infusion of testosterone in the executive branch" forgetting that Obama is a man that didn't have any less testosterone than Trump does.
It IS sexist to say that women automatically know better about any topic than men do. Even in issues like pregnancy, a male politician may listen to his female constituents while a female politician may have been rich enough to avoid many problems of pregnancy and thus not understand the issues that poorer women face. Gender isn't destiny, and we shouldn't be using sexist lines of thought even if the goal is equality in representation in office.
It IS sexist to say that women automatically know better about any topic than men do. Even in issues like pregnancy, a male politician may listen to his female constituents while a female politician may have been rich enough to avoid many problems of pregnancy and thus not understand the issues that poorer women face. Gender isn't destiny, and we shouldn't be using sexist lines of thought even if the goal is equality in representation in office.
14
No, I don't believer it is sexist to suggest hormones influence behavior, it is science. It is ideology to suggest otherwise.
I'm not questioning Obama's testosterone level. I am questioning the culture (and hormonal influence) of the male dominated hierarchy of the Republican party in general and the Trump administration in particular in consistently providing rational decision making for the long term good of our nation.
I'm not questioning Obama's testosterone level. I am questioning the culture (and hormonal influence) of the male dominated hierarchy of the Republican party in general and the Trump administration in particular in consistently providing rational decision making for the long term good of our nation.
14
If women are so much better explain to me how in the name of reason did Hillary get beat by a first time politician? She spent considerably more money. She had all the experience. She had the political name. She had the President supporting her effort.
We wanted her as President? She couldn't even beat Trump!
We wanted her as President? She couldn't even beat Trump!
3
I will still rather vote for a male who shares my values, than a female who works for the Trump Party.
309
Don't fret, sir -- this group ONLY endorses and finances DEMOCRATIC lefty liberal women -- no Republicans or conservative Democrats need apply.
2
Well, too bad for you. The Democrats don't want you to do that.
Well, yeah, but currently that isn't looking like an option.
I cannot wait for the ERA to pass.
Maybe then, we can take women off the pedestal of privilege.
Then we can fund men's health issues at the same level we fund health care for women.
Maybe then there will be men's centers on campus to balance the women's centers.
Maybe then we can start programs to help boys in schools the way we help girls in schools.
Maybe then we can realize that men must work 20% more to make the salary they do.
Maybe then, we can see more women on the font lines of war.
I can only hope it passes.
Maybe then, we can take women off the pedestal of privilege.
Then we can fund men's health issues at the same level we fund health care for women.
Maybe then there will be men's centers on campus to balance the women's centers.
Maybe then we can start programs to help boys in schools the way we help girls in schools.
Maybe then we can realize that men must work 20% more to make the salary they do.
Maybe then, we can see more women on the font lines of war.
I can only hope it passes.
6
Yawn.
12
Well, the male majorities have the power right now to do all the things you can't wait for. I'm not sure which "men's health issues" you're referring to--greater rates of alcoholism, drug addiction, prostate cancer (obviously), lung cancer, heart disease--compared to what, breast cancer? If you are so concerned about these issues, call the gents in power to do something about them. The fact that they haven't tackled these inequities is proof that women's voices and new ways of approaching underfunded programs are required. The men have stalled out. They are impotent in accomplishing anything beneficial to the majority of Americans in their do-nothing Congress. (By the way, women are the majority in America.)
44
Any attempt to focus on men's health issues are ignored by our matriarchal government.
Men are the majority of the homeless, addicted, suicidal and in poverty and we cannot hear the voice of men over the self-indulgent roar of women and the war they think is being waged on them.
The ONLY option is the ERA.
Male politicians work for women
Female politicians work for women.
This article begins with a desire for no co-pay on birth control. But that is a deception. There is is a co-pay on vasectomies.
Carla: your YAWN is exactly what I am talking about.
Men are the majority of the homeless, addicted, suicidal and in poverty and we cannot hear the voice of men over the self-indulgent roar of women and the war they think is being waged on them.
The ONLY option is the ERA.
Male politicians work for women
Female politicians work for women.
This article begins with a desire for no co-pay on birth control. But that is a deception. There is is a co-pay on vasectomies.
Carla: your YAWN is exactly what I am talking about.
1
I have long been used to conservative women trying to pretend that they are men in skirts and face absolutely no difference in treatment, discrimination or experience than men. However, this past year has opened my eyes to the sexism on the left - with their sweeping statements that a higher minimum wage and free college will fix all the problems for everyone, including women and minorities. This denial on both the white right and the male left leaves us women on the left and center fighting for the obvious - our experience is different and requires legislation that acknowledges and protects our unique interests. As the only gender that can bare children - we get to pay for the life cycle of fertility - feminine protection, birth control, higher health insurance premiums since apparently we can spontaneously regenerate at will and non-coverage of menopausal medications while viagra is considered the aging mans birthright. We get paid less for the work we do and the professions we inhabit are devalued and disrespected. To deny this makes you part of the problem. It will take women and the men who care about them to openly acknowledge and work toward fixing the disparate treatment of women in American society. For anyone needing guidance see Iceland and Norway.
130
Obamacare made it illegal for insurance to charge more for women, yet men still pay more for life insurance and car insurance. Why do we have a system where a man can be completely healthy and a safe driver, yet still pay more for insurance than a woman and where a woman can cost more medically than a man and yet still not be charged more?
8
Because data, Hibernia86. Accident rates of male drivers are historically and consistently higher than those of female drivers. In general, males are proven to be higher-risk drivers, and insurance is all about risk. I don't know enough about life insurance, but I assume risk is also the determining factor. Also, not all women "cost more medically" than men. Women who bear children do when it comes to pregnancy and delivery costs, but not all of us reproduce.
19
Preach it, sister. Well said!
8
Elizabeth Warren said it best, "If you don't have a seat at the table, you're probably on the menu."
I think that hell will freeze over before you'll see women in office signing legislation that controls a man's reproductive rights.
I think that hell will freeze over before you'll see women in office signing legislation that controls a man's reproductive rights.
638
Best sign from the Women's March: "If you can cut off my reproductive rights, can I cut off yours?" That sums it up for me. My knife is honed.
34
Lorax proves that women are the more violent sex.
2
The Lorax: my reaction to the sign you quote and your follow up comment is revulsion.
What is your goal here? To get other women to laugh and applaud the cleverness or to actually accomplish something?
Like it or not, you will need the cooperation of men in powerful places to ensure that your reproductive rights are yours and no one elses. I'm pretty sure that the threat of emasculation or castration, even as hyperbole, will alienate the very men you need to cooperate with you.
I understand the rage behind the sign and your comment but rage must be channeled in a way that gets results.
After a lifetime spent in the public information arena and working to sway the opinions of decision makers I still believe the main tenet of success is to be as angry, assertive and loud as you want to be but also make friends with the people who hold the power. Especially in this day and age, where the louder and larger the protest the more the other side digs in, not cavalierly alienating your opposition is paramount.
What is your goal here? To get other women to laugh and applaud the cleverness or to actually accomplish something?
Like it or not, you will need the cooperation of men in powerful places to ensure that your reproductive rights are yours and no one elses. I'm pretty sure that the threat of emasculation or castration, even as hyperbole, will alienate the very men you need to cooperate with you.
I understand the rage behind the sign and your comment but rage must be channeled in a way that gets results.
After a lifetime spent in the public information arena and working to sway the opinions of decision makers I still believe the main tenet of success is to be as angry, assertive and loud as you want to be but also make friends with the people who hold the power. Especially in this day and age, where the louder and larger the protest the more the other side digs in, not cavalierly alienating your opposition is paramount.
6
According to CWAP "In 2017, 104 (78D, 26R) women hold seats in the United States Congress, comprising 19.4% of the 535 members; 21 women (21%) serve in the United States Senate, and 83 women (19.1%) serve in the United States House of Representatives." It's pretty embarrassing that the supposed great American democracy does so poorly in electing women to this ruling body. Following the thesis of the Bronson article, we wonder how different our laws would be were there more gender equality in Congress. Maybe Congress would be more productive, perhaps more compassionate, more family and children oriented and less military-minded. Sadly, it is controlled by male oligarchs who are unlikely to yield power.
109
You have a very odd -- and incorrect -- idea of how legislators get into office. There is no "giant man cabal" that insists on only male (white) legislators! people RUN FOR OFFICE.
Nobody is stopping women from running for office. Many women can and have run for office and been elected. But clearly, fewer women do so than men do so.
You cannot correct that by some kind of legislative or judicial fiat -- insisting it be "50/50" by law.
The only way to address the problem is to encourage more women to run, and you do that by giving them MONEY -- so pony up, Mr. Bean! What about Emily's List?
Nobody is stopping women from running for office. Many women can and have run for office and been elected. But clearly, fewer women do so than men do so.
You cannot correct that by some kind of legislative or judicial fiat -- insisting it be "50/50" by law.
The only way to address the problem is to encourage more women to run, and you do that by giving them MONEY -- so pony up, Mr. Bean! What about Emily's List?
6
President Trump's presidency has demonstrated that rights long fought for are more vulnerable to reversal than women were aware. Even though the equal rights amendment failed the women of the baby boomer generation did a lot of hard work to level out the playing field. Younger women have taken those rights for granted and often thought they had more rights then we actually do.
One of the most telling moments was the picture of a room full of white men looking on with approval as Trump signed the global gag rule. Now steps are being taken to defund planned parenthood, one of the largest providers for womens healthcare in this country.
Women may not agree on every issue but we're at least willing to listen to each other. I'm glad that after the women's march more women are running for office. Perhaps with their success we might see meaningful legislation passed such as universal daycare, universal preschool, and more affordable healthcare and housing. Women have a better idea of what will help working families and that's good for the rest of the nation.
One of the most telling moments was the picture of a room full of white men looking on with approval as Trump signed the global gag rule. Now steps are being taken to defund planned parenthood, one of the largest providers for womens healthcare in this country.
Women may not agree on every issue but we're at least willing to listen to each other. I'm glad that after the women's march more women are running for office. Perhaps with their success we might see meaningful legislation passed such as universal daycare, universal preschool, and more affordable healthcare and housing. Women have a better idea of what will help working families and that's good for the rest of the nation.
268
I'm not aware of my uterus having neural synapses. I don't think with my lady-parts. Further, doesn't think kind of thinking run counter to the whole "self-identify" movement? Who are YOU to say I or anyone else is a WOMAN or THINKS like one? Hm?
Frup-fruppery of the fruppiest sort if I ever saw it.
Frup-fruppery of the fruppiest sort if I ever saw it.
12
I wish I understood what you mean by your letter. What is "fruppery" supposed to mean? Is that one of the "cutesy" words used by American women? To be taken seriously, use standard English, not glorified baby talk.
Before you begin hitting on males, I am a female and am taken very seriously by the men I have cooperated with because I call things exactly what they are, and don't use euphemisms of the weirder kind.
Before you begin hitting on males, I am a female and am taken very seriously by the men I have cooperated with because I call things exactly what they are, and don't use euphemisms of the weirder kind.
7
CMD..."fruppery" is not baby talk or euphemism...it simply had a typo:
FRIPPERY: showy or unnecessary ornament in architecture, dress, or language.
synonyms: ostentation, showiness, embellishment, adornment, ornamentation, ornament, decoration, trimming, gilding, prettification, gingerbread
FRIPPERY: showy or unnecessary ornament in architecture, dress, or language.
synonyms: ostentation, showiness, embellishment, adornment, ornamentation, ornament, decoration, trimming, gilding, prettification, gingerbread
4
Are the women legislators forgetting girls under 10 and women older than 52? I don't think they are trying to do divide-and-rule toward women, but why sucker to visible and snub the invisible?
And what? This is news?
1
This is an opinion piece.
20
Not the best way to start off an article if one wants potentially open-minded people to continue reading. Equality doesn't mean special benefits to a specific group of people. Next time, the author should concentrate on conveying the message instead of alienating half of the population.
6
Sure Michael, men have nothing to do with creating babies so why would breast milk or birth control have anything to do with them? Please, think a little bit beyond your immediate self.
222
The entire system is a special benefit to white males yet there doesn't seem to be an outcry about this legislative and structural bias. Where is the outrage that women are singled out for higher insurance premiums because they bare children? Why should men get the benefit of their middle age medications being covered but. It women's? White men are the biggest beneficiaries of legislation designed uniquely for their benefit. It's time to level the playing field.
198
And male legislators passing laws that control women and their health needs is OK? You've just demonstrated why we need more women in leadership. By being a vocal chauvinist you're actually helping to show just how much more we need to change. ;-)
107
Of course we all want to be both, but in the real world it often doesn't work that way, at least not in a simple and straight forward way.
Many who read the Times would probably say trump was wrong on essentially every issue, not just wrong but dishonest, incompetent, uncaring and a fraud. Yet he was effective.
If women or men want to win, they've got to figure out how to be effective. And of course try to stay true to one's values, but to be effective it seems you somehow have to offer programs & incremental solutions to issues of significant importance to both liberals and conservatives.
Focusing heavily on issues of vital importance to only the group with which you primarily identify with will likely not win many elections, especially in red states and especially with regard to a national election for president.
Of course the pink tax for women's goods isn't equitable and should be addressed. But in a statewide or national election it seems one has to ask what will be a candidates main priority in speeches and advertisements.
If it's jobs, retraining programs, health care for all, protecting our water and air, better schools, roads and infrastructure...one might be effective in getting elected. If one emphasizes other priorities over these, one may feel good & be right, but may not connect with enough voters to win.