America At a Crossroad - 30 years later

The purpose of Ponder This blog is to create a forum for thinking and dialogue about issues that affect us all. You may share your thoughts here or talk to your friends and family.


Today, October 5, 2009 I found myself at the Women, Money, and Power Summit in Washington, DC. It got me thinking. Thirty-plus years had gone by since I had Seen Gloria Steinem (now in her 75th year!). She looked pretty good. She and Eli Smeal are as feisty and on-target as ever.

Lots has changed in the last 30 years. Yet nothing has changed. These stalwarts of the Feminist Movement are STILL fighting the good fight. For equal rights, equal pay, equal access, equality.

Where had all the time gone? Long time passing.
Gone to flowers, everyone... Oh, when will we ever learn.
(The refrain from the 70s lyrics...) We are once again engaged in two unpopular senseless, no-win wars, fighting terrorism and evil under the guise of humanitarian principles.

It was startling to realize that for all the strides women have made in the last 3 to 4 decades, the old fight remains. Women are paid 77 cents on the dollar of men. This year we will officially exceed 50% of the labor force, as so many male jobs have been lost to outsourcing and the current recession.

It is upsetting to learn today that the United States is one of only 8 countries who have not ratified the international CEDAW Treaty to protect Women against violence. What is WRONG with this picture? The United States sees itself as a leader in humanitarian issues. This is shameful. Read our lips, Congress. Pass the domestic and international legislation that give women in the US and around the world the protections they need and deserve.

It was startling to learn today that (legal) permits for guns have quadrupled since President Obama took office, and that there is an upward correlation to the perpetration of victimization and violence against women when guns are present in the home. Right-wing pro-lifers are on the rise, although it is questionable how much they really value human life, since many are commiting awful crimes and violence all across the country.

Horrifyingly women are increasingly victimized in their homes and in the workplace at alarming rates. The recent headlines tell the shocking stories of violence against women, at the hands of their husbands and fathers and boyfriends and other unsavory, unstable individuals who have ready access to guns (legally and illegally). The country is still reeling from news of young girls being abducted from their beds and held as sex slaves for 9 months and 18 years. Or husbands, even policemen, killing and butchering their wives to hide the evidence, expecting to get away with murder.

What do you make of a health care system that claims that battered women have a chronic pre-existing condition, thus denying coverage? Or a system that provides a small modicum of healthcare to pregnant women (until she delivers) and then denies medical care? Or denial of basic medical and dental care, so a young boy dies from an infection because his decaying teeth were not removed? Or withholds psych care from unstable individuals who massacre children and co-workers in school and workplaces? There are countless family tragedies from insurance company denials of timely medical care or families who were bankrupted by outrageous health care bills.

We've got to do something quickly to right the wrongs and provide fair, affordable health care to the 15 million uninsured and others who may no longer be able to afford their private insurance under the present unsustainable system. For starters, keep the public health care option in the Congressional bill now being formulated. Contact your representatives and urge them to do so.

Much work will continue to be needed to rebuild the American health care system so that it is sound and sustainable.

Silent no more.