Jeanne Shaheen or No, We’re Not in a Post-Gender Political World

As a Montanan living in a state with seven American Indian reservations, I truly ask if we are beyond any prejudice--or is it that African-Americans have learned to "Play the game"? We elected a man who was raised in Singapore--one of the most multicultural cities of the world and Hawaii--one of our most culturally diverse states. What does this man know of racism? We elected him based on the idea that a Harvard Law degree and a charismatic personality were better qualifications than years of service to our government and an influential role in the few positive things to happen in the past few years. Is this a post-anything world?

American Indians have no where near the role they should have in even our state government, let alone the national government. With the number of women with years of experience in the various sectors of our nation, there should be at least a couple women on the short list for every single Cabinet post up there--including Defense and Treasury--in spite of one incredibly arrogant male who thought that women should be permanently banned from these positions. We just saw an election where arguments ran from racist (we vote for Obama because he is black) to ageist (McCain is 72 and that is too old to be President), elitist ( how can a woman from Alaska be smart enough to be a valuable VP? and besides she has 5 kids and a pregnant teen-ager! How white trash of her!) to sexist ( Palin isn't a real feminist because she doesn't believe the way women should believe) We aren't any better than those who opposed John Kennedy because he was Catholic--or Mitt Romney because he is Mormon.

Maybe another 50 years might get us somewhere--but I'm not hopeful now, because the very people who are patting themselves on the back about electing an African-American President are blind to the biased arguments they used to justify voting for him.

"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance – it is the ILLUSION of knowledge.

Daniel Boorstin

MontanaMountainWoman of MT 8:44PM November 20, 2008

Men have been ruling this country for most of our 220 year old history. The feminist movement started only in the last century. Change does not happen overnight. I know this country is making a lot of progress because the best qualified woman to run for President lost (Clinton). One of the least qualified also lost (Palin). Now only sexists would deduct that women can't run for President. Many are encouraging Palin to run in 2012. That is a sign of progress. As a woman, I hope she loses again. Also a sign of progress. I don't pick candidates because of their indoor plumbing.

But it seems that women have a pretty good track record when they do run. Breaking into a man's domain is never easy and it takes a long time to build up a good network of people who will help you get elected.

Barack overshadowed women's gains...that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. And electing the first African American to the highest office is of equal importance. The minorities in this country have an equally dismal (if not worse) track record of representation in this country.

I have no idea why people keep pitting race versus gender bias. They are both deplorable and have no place in the 21st century. However, in our effort to get equal representation in our country, I don't think we should elect every woman or minority that ever runs.

Barack has a real opportunity here to appoint a lot of candidates that will provide a diverse Cabinet. Again, I think it is ridiculous to obsess the 51% be women, 49% be men, 13% be African American, 74% white ,etc.

melauspaitra@yahoo.com of WI 6:35PM November 20, 2008