Liberal Moms
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It’s a fascinating and exciting time to be a liberal mom. Join the conversation as we discuss our unique perspectives and relate about the issues that matter to us – all while keeping up as super-star moms with hectic schedules. Whether you’re looking for tips and advice or an opportunity to get up on that soapbox - you’ll find a home for your ideals, values and liberal minded tendencies right here. Liberal Moms editor: Caroline Jorgensen |
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Last week, I got settled on the couch and, with a sigh, turned on the State of the Union Address. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve been feeling a little frustrated recently and wasn’t sure if this Address would just bring more of the same: lots of well-intentioned discussion but no indication of any, well, backbone from my party. But that State of the Union Address made me sit up straight in my chair. And many other Americans did too. It left me wondering about the stern tone of our President's address and why its message seemed so successful. Do the Democratic Party and the current elected President just need to be a little tougher to get things done around here? Or will taking a tougher stand hinder rather help our chances of bipartisan progress?
This liberal mom has found herself one week into the New Year and wondering what is in store for our country in 2010. Remember the start of 2009? Remember the inauguration and all of the hope and excitement for what was to come? One year in and we are all still sifting through the fall out of the previous administration and the fine print of what could be. Much of that hope and excitement has receded and we are left wondering what comes next. Maybe our president should make a list of resolutions for the coming year? I am thinking he probably already has. But in case he needs a couple suggestions, here are my resolutions for our Head of State.
Our country is about a year into the Obama administration. We’re still neck deep in issue after issue, all eager for a flicker of hope on Wall Street, in the job market, in the value of our homes, anywhere. And now we are seeing increased troops in Afghanistan. So while we wait out this storm, how has Obama been managing the brunt of it all? As a stay at home, liberal mother of two, living on one income, and wondering where the value of my home has gone, here is my personal Obama report card stating just how well our president has been doing so far.
While managing our workplaces and our homes, it's unlikely that many of us have time for politics. Capitol Hill or even our state's capitol's political goings on are hardly on our radar screens as we simply try to keep schedules in check and children fed. But what if there was an issue in your own community that concerned you? Would you wait for someone else to take care of it? Politics isn't limited to the issues debated by pundits on CNN. Women and mothers are able to lead political lives in their own communities. And even the smallest efforts can affect real change.
While attending the Type A Mom conference, I scanned the list of presentations and chose my first panel: “Political Blogging (featuring Joanne Bamberger)”. Politics has been a difficult topic to write about recently, the negativity has been overbearing, so I needed some inspiration. However, upon arrival, I was as disappointed as Joanne to see that not as many of the attendees decided to sit in on this panel. Why is that? Mothers inspire and shape some of the most important political discussions today. And there are more than enough topics to write about that affect us and our families. So what holds many of us back from tackling these sorts of topics?
Do you have a son? If so, it's likely that you have had to make the choice whether or not to circumcise him at birth. While a difficult decision at times, historically it has been a private decision made between parents based on personal or religious beliefs with no specific recommendation from the CDC. This past month, the CDC has suggested that they may change their recommendations and encourage parents to circumcise all male children based on new evidence from recent studies. There has been a strong reaction to this possibility and many parents are feeling that this recommendation could be made for the wrong reasons.
On September 8th, President Obama will be giving a speech directed at students about the importance of their education. And unless you've been living under a rock, you've certainly heard the chatter about how the President may potentially mislead our children and use them as "tools" to "promote liberal propaganda." In fact, many parents are being encouraged to keep their children home that day to prevent such a possibility. So how does this mother see it? Unfortunately, I see this entire over-reaction as one more dangerous example of feverish partisanship gone wrong.
I have been following Sarah Palin's recent resignation with interest. As a democrat and mother, I am fascinated by her rise to fame and all that has come along with it. While I rarely agree with most of her politics, there is a significant part of me that supports her efforts as a woman and mother working to make a name for herself in national politics.
Read more: Sarah Palin: A Future Leader or Just a Popular Idea?
This is the first Fourth of July in many years that I have placed a flag in front of my home. Why is that? I certainly am proud to be an American. I am grateful for the freedoms and rights granted to me simply by my citizenship. I love my country. But for many years I felt that the American flag was used as a symbol for politics that I didn’t necessarily agree with. And for those years it seemed as if the flag was no longer mine to fly.
As each day has passed since the elections in Iran, I have been overwhelmed by the stories and coverage. I certainly do not claim to be an expert on the political ins and outs of Iran. Far from it. However, while on twitter, or reading blog posts, or watching the small bits of coverage uploaded on to You Tube or being relayed to the news media, I am amazed and scrambling to keep up and educate myself. Why? Because the people in Iran are protesting for the same rights I so often take for granted.
Read more: Appreciating My Rights while Supporting the Citizens of Iran
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