Reading CNN today I saw an article about how this is the first election cycle in sometime that there has not been an increase of women in Congress. It was accompanied by a Quick Poll asking if it was a big deal or not - the overwhelming response was "No".
So, readers...what say you? Is this a big deal?
On a related (kind of) note - I listened in on a conference call last week, while home sick from work (yes, I am that big of a nerd - why do you ask?). My cold medicine might have caused a misunderstanding, but the emphasis of the call was that more women need to run for office of all political stripes. Part of me agrees - a congress that is actually representative of the populace would be great, but I wonder if groups that simply believe more is the answer - ever take into consideration the anti-woman woman. They exist. They run. And they can win. There was a female Kansas state Senator that didn't think women should have the right to vote - or more accurately, shouldn't be forced to vote. (Don't believe me?)
Candidates like Sarah Palin, Sharron Angle and Christine O'Donnell do a huge amount of damage to all female candidates, to all women, really. At this point, with the level of crazy in the country, I just want good candidates. Candidates that respect a woman's right to choose (and are willing to stand up for it!), that believe in equal pay for equal work, that believe rape is a crime and should be prosecuted (thank you, Colorado for beating that asshat, btw) and understand the economics of lower and lower-middle class families. If the candidate happens to be a competent woman - that's just gravy.
