Hanging By a Thread

The Power of Impact

To start with, I've had a bad cold. I got it from my boys over the weekend while traveling. Of course, it means nothing when mom gets a cold. Life goes on. So, I have been tired and cranky and generally feeling cruddy all week. Thursday was no exception, but then my mood got worse. And on Friday, I woke with a tremendously heavy sadness on my heart and mind. Here's why.

On, Thursday, the boys and I spent the day with my computer or phone on a live feed of the Senate Judiciary Committee, watching both Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Brett Kavanaugh testify before the nation.

I knew only her story and very little else about Dr. Ford before her testimony. I thought I believed her story, but was anxious to hear her and see her tell her side of things to determine her credibility in my own mind…not that my opinion of her matters in the least.

I was struck by her calm, yet genuine and terrified-beneath-the-surface demeanor. I understood how she felt sitting there sharing her most devastating details of shame and guilt and confusion and sadness and aloneness that she has been carrying with her for 36 years. My heart went out to her.

We listened to her words and watched her face and heard her tone and completely believed her. She gains nothing and has lost much in coming forward to speak. My heart broke for her.

Listening to her speak about her 15 year old self and this bewildering, traumatizing experience took me back to my teenage years. I recalled two distinct times that I allowed myself to get into a vulnerable position, during high school, about 28 years ago. Now, I say that I allowed myself to get into a vulnerable situation because time and time again we see that it is the woman's responsibility to steer clear of such situations and it's her fault if she does not.

Now, in my case, nothing happened to me in either of these instances, but I am now and was then well aware that it could have. Just knowing I was in a situation that made me feel trapped and vulnerable, I can clearly recall all kinds of details about the space I was in, the smells, the sounds, some (but not all) of the people there or nearby, how I felt and what I was thinking, but I could not give you a date and I could not name each person there. I'm not even sure of the exact year. This does not mean it didn't happen.

I imagine that if you asked the other people who were there with me during those two instances they would not recall these things in such detail. In fact, I would bet they would not have any recollection of these instances at all. This does not mean it didn't happen.

I NEVER told anyone about these instances…not my best friend, not my mother, not my husband. No one. This is the first time I have ever shared anything about these two instances outside of my own mind. I did not tell anyone because I felt shame for allowing myself to get into such situations. This does not mean it didn't happen.

The reason it stands out in my memory so vividly and has stayed with me all of these years is that it had a significant impact on me. After the second instance, I promised myself then, in high school, I would not allow myself to get into such a vulnerable situation again. These two instances scared me and cautioned me and trained me and shaped me.

I can imagine that the other people involved in these two instances didn't recall it happening a year after it occurred, let alone 5 or 10 or 22 years later. This is simply because it did not have an impact on them. It did not scare them or worry them or warrant a change in how they approached certain people or situations.

Now, going back to Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh, one of them is not telling the truth, or at least not remembering what happened correctly. One of them was not impacted by this experience. My money is on Judge Kavanaugh as being the one who is not telling the whole truth and/or not remembering the instance correctly and thoroughly.

Judge Kavanaugh's demeanor and attitude also made me think of instances, both in working in the courts and general life experiences, of privileged men who are used to getting what they want when they want it, and then get caught being bad and are at risk of not getting what they want.

He yelled and deflected blame and repeated the same answers over and over and made accusations. He was evasive and sometimes responded with silence. He talked back and whined and cried. He was all kinds of emotional and belligerent and haughty. I have seen this behavior. I know this kind of behavior. I have seen this behavior from grown men, but any parent will recognize this kind of adolescent, rebellious, defensive fit throwing, as well.

This spoiled, whining, privileged man child having a huge meltdown temper tantrum was watched by thousands and thousands of people, and I believe it will have an impact.

The impact will not be on the male Republican Senators who rebuked the Democrats for causing such pain and suffering for this upstanding man and his family…at least not directly…and who will vote to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States.

The impact will not be on Kavanaugh who will most likely still get his way and be appointed for life to the United States Supreme Court. His family is not ruined. They will move on from this. But let me say, I am sad for his wife and daughters who are having to go through all of this because of their husband and father.

And yet, I do think there will be an impact. I think there already is a wave of change that has been gathering momentum and speed and depth and integrity and raw, composed rage. It's coming….just you wait.

For now, I will keep explaining and teaching and showing my boys what is right and wrong; what justice looks like; what respect looks like; what mercy looks like; what integrity looks like; and how Jesus instructs Christians to act.

From a different perspective, as a student of the law with a deep respect for the highest court in our land and for (most) of the justices who sit on the Supreme Court of the United States, I am greatly distressed, disappointed and frustrated. Putting aside whether he has repeatedly, on several topics, lied before Congress and whether he sexually assaulted one or more women, the person who has emerged under pressure in these hearings is NOT the kind of impartial, rational, discerning person the United States Senate should be placing on the Court. Our highest court of the land deserves better than this. We, the people of this democracy, deserve better than this.

My heart breaks and my blood boils for all people everywhere who have been hurt, broken, taken advantage of, assaulted, raped and have told their stories only to be threatened, ridiculed and worst of all, ignored.

I hear you. I believe you. You matter. You have made an impact. You are not alone. Everyone does eventually get his day in court; before his maker, that is.

Over and out…

Anna

Shattering Glass

Last night, while standing in my kitchen, I was overcome with a flood of emotions and shed a few tears thinking about voting for a woman presidential candidate on Tuesday and all that could mean. Sure, this may seem silly or trivial to you and you may shake your head in disgust or confusion, but to this bossy girl who has never backed down from an argument with a man and NEVER thought women should be standing behind a man instead of next to or in front of a man, this is big…dare I say…YUGE!

And it's not just that it's a woman, it's this woman: Hillary Clinton. I am so proud to be voting for her tomorrow. Again, you may not understand this, but I DO like her, respect her and think she has what it takes to be president. She has been standing her ground and fighting for people for so long and NEVER giving up…EVER. Hillary has more stamina than people half her age; she amazes me! This is the kind of strong, smart, experienced woman I have dreamed of becoming president.

But I'm not here to convince you. At this late hour, you have made your decision and likely already cast your vote. No, I'm simply brimming with emotions and excitement and anxiety and maybe you are too.

So, tomorrow I'll go with my two boys and color in that little oval as my boys witness this momentous occasion, we'll get the I VOTED sticker and I might spill a few tears thinking of all the women who have come before and made crack after crack in that glass ceiling, giving me the right to vote, the strength to voice my strong opinions, the opportunity to get an education and become an attorney and the chance to vote for female candidates in races at every level of government. I can't tell you how excited I am about this!

I will wait on pins and needles and monitor polls and news reports as polls close and counts come in, and you can bet I'll be praying for our nation, our leaders and our citizens.

This is personal. I am a woman. I am a Christian. I am a mom. I support love and mercy and kindness and coming together, helping those who can't help themselves and living in harmony, regardless of differing backgrounds, opinions, religions and standing up for all peoples' rights. I refuse to succumb to an Us v. Them, hateful, fearful, antagonist, racist, misogynistic attitude.

I…we…have a lot at stake tomorrow. I know I am not alone in this flood of emotions leading up to this day. So, here's to all the women (and men) who have fought so hard for women's rights. I can't wait for that glass ceiling to shatter. Over and out…

Anna

Be a Political Person {Talking Politics with Our Kids}

I often see people post on social media, "I'm not a political person, but…" And I always want to respond, "Why not? What's wrong with being a political person?" I think what they mean is they aren't usually one to argue over political issues by posting them for all their friends to read and discuss, but I just don't see anything wrong with being a "political person." And for the record, you can call me just that, if you're so inclined.

In our house, politics is not a dirty word. In fact, political knowledge and discussions are something to be proud about…although the kids do have an approved and unapproved list of people they can discuss such politics with…the approved list is pretty short, come to think of it...

But, seriously, political issues are important and we should be discussing them in our homes and in schools. This doesn't mean taking sides and arguing and segregating based on beliefs and political party affiliations. It means learning about issues facing our elected officials, the laws and policies concerning the economy, the environment, the educational system, the poor, job opportunities within our country, relations with other countries, the military, etc., etc., etc., and the arguments on both sides.

So, at this juncture in American politics, I am thrilled to be teaching my kids at home because this means we can discuss and study any and all areas of politics. And we do. We talk about what's happening along this long campaign trail. We read articles, watch video clips and of course, check out the political parodies. We watched the debates with the boys and explained various points afterwards, but I think they have a pretty good grasp on what's what at this point.

They're looking forward to going with us to vote, as always. And I can't wait for next week when this Political Science major gets to teach a whole week on the Electoral College, the interesting elections of the past and anything and everything we can find to watch, read and learn about the election process. I'll be trying to channel my beloved Poli Sci Professor, Dr. Flavin, and his enthusiasm for all things electoral.

If we don't talk about such things at home and with our kids over the dinner table, in the car, in the midst of a "nasty" political race (sorry, I had to get it in), after the President addresses the nation, during a legislative stalemate, where will our kids get the confidence to discuss such issues? How will they understand the who and why and how of our nation's politics and our and their personal views as they grow into adults.

So, be a "political person" and talk about the processes, the difference between parties and how and why and who of local, state and federal government. Discuss your personal feelings and beliefs and where that falls within political parties. Talk about the "other side" and what they believe and why those issues are important to them. We live in a democratic society, and this cannot exist without talking and discussing the differences, the areas we can agree upon and how to make our system work for everyone. After all, a democratic society is defined as one that is run by the people, for the people and supports equal rights, freedoms of the individual, fair trials and minority views. Let's not forget that.

And remember GO VOTE! {Preferably with your kids in tow.} I actually saw someone post on social media that she usually doesn't vote, but this one is an important one so she voted…ALL ELECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT! {Sorry, I had to step up on my soap box for a minute….remember, I AM a "political person."} Over and out…

Anna

Random Tidbits: On a Rampage {Strong Opinions}

New Rules

I've been juggling a lot with work lately, which means that everything else suffers. So, I've decided to make some rules for myself, and I'm really trying to stick with it.

I'm setting weekly office hours. We're holding weekly family meetings with an agenda, a white board and an Angry Bird (that's a whole other post...stay tuned). I'm standing firm on what I can and cannot add to my overly stuffed schedule...and refusing to feel guilty about saying "No" when I need to.

Unfortunately, one of the things that has taken a backseat to being a priority lately has been writing. So, I'm trying this Random Bits style again...cuz you know I have things to say, but just not much time to get them said!

Bits and Pieces

1. Y'all know how I feel about using your phone and driving, right?! If you don't then read this: I Hit A Child with My Car and all the other Distracted Driving posts I've written. Well, my friend, Trina, a dedicated Phone Down, Eyes Up driver sent me this photo that her friend sent to her. I love it! And there's a lot of truth in this statement...believe it.
   
2. In DC, a Councilmember has introduced a bill to curb cheating. If passed, it would make facilitating cheating on standardized tests illegal. Now I'm certainly against cheating, but what troubles me is that there has to be such laws in place to prevent school personnel from tampering with tests.

   Shouldn't this be a given to teachers and administrators? Perhaps, the better answer is to take a look at why there is such a need to "fix" standardized tests in this district and examine the education resources and funding.

3. Apparently there is overcrowding at the Metro Louisville jail in Kentucky. The solution? Well, USA Today reports that "tech-savvy professionals will use technology and data to study the overcrowding," of course. The pros will be trying to find some possible solutions.

   News Flash! I've got a solution. Use that money to study how to get kids off the streets, keep them safe, educate them, and get them out of the cycle of committing crimes-jail-committing crimes-jail that many of their older siblings, parents, aunts and uncles and friends are in instead of employing "tech-savvy professionals." This is not an engineering/spatial problem; this is societal issue, a human interest story that could have happy ending.

4. Lastly, the total cost of the 2012 elections, from federal to state to local offices, was...hold on to your boots, friends... $7.3 BILLION (according to Politico.com)! WHAT A WASTE! Don't get me started on what that could have been spent on. This amount of money could have made a huge impact on many of the very causes and issues and institutions and families addressed by the candidates running for office. So many could have been greatly benefitted by even a fraction of this money being spent in a positive way. Here are more of my thoughts on the subject of political campaign spending.

The Scoop

Hmmm, it turns out I'm full of opinions this Monday morning. Well, there you have it. Over and out...

Anna

A Pledge....for the Unity of Our Nation; Overcoming the Great Divide

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The election is over; the results mean joy and relief for some and frustration and concern for others. Regardless of where you fall on this wildly swinging pendulum of emotions and viewpoints, our nation is still one nation.

However, in my Facebook stream and in the various news reports the hatred, the misunderstanding, the ranting and the tirades and the closeness of the popular vote, reveal the deep and vast divide within our country.

And this is weighing on my shoulders.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Why should I care? What does it matter?

There was once an issue that deeply divided our country. The hate grew and grew and divided families and friends and a nation; it filled fields with blood; it burned cities; it destroyed lives; and in the end freedom prevailed.

Could there ever be an issue that divided our strong, enduring country again; an issue that brought our government to the brink of civil war again; that threatened to destroy life as we know it? I hope not, but this level of divisiveness after an election of our local, state and national leaders is worrisome.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Liberal and conservative; young and old; white, black, yellow, brown and purple; single and married; Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and atheist; accountant, nurse, teacher, business owner, farmer, lawyer and mechanic; we still pledge our allegiance to the same flag; to our one nation under God; together as one; because we care about our rights and the rights of our neighbors in the house next to ours and those in other states; and we believe our system of weights and balances won't fail us.

I believe we, as Americans, truly want to do the right thing by helping those in need and paying our fare share of taxes and being good citizens and working for our good and the good of all the people. I STILL believe in our government, in our laws, in our leaders and in our people, regardless of all the issues that divide us at the polls and in our daily lives.

Call me naïve, call me bleeding heart liberal, call me silly and stupid, but I will still believe and I will pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all...because I am STEADFAST and I am ETERNALLY OPTIMISTIC and I have the FAITH of a mustard seed.

Will you join me in this pledge? Will you continue to believe in our great country? Over and out...

Anna

Love: This Little Light of Mine, I’m Gonna Let it Shine

LOVE

True LOVE

Real LOVE

Deep as an Ocean

All encompassing

Love does not conform; Love won't be stopped by laws

LOVE does not Discriminate; LOVE understands; LOVE Forgives

LOVE Survives

Love Heals

Love Saves

God is

LOVE

As we near this year's very heated, passionate election day, please take a moment to remember to Love your neighbors, your friends, your family regardless of what they believe or advocate for or who they vote for or whose signs are firmly planted in their yards.

Love is the most important thing we have. Live by example; let your love be a roaring fire that shines out for the world to see; don't hide it under a bushel. Love is not shameful. Over and out...

Anna

Vote Smart: Get the 411 Before You Go to the Polls

Campaign Season

Vote No; Vote Yes; Vote this; Vote that. It can get confusing with all the yard signs, Facebook posts and ads online and on TV and radio. To me, the most important thing is that people do vote, regardless of how they vote.

At this time of year, everyone complains about some particular candidate or a whole party's views; and everyone becomes a political expert full of world-changing opinions, but they do vote and where are they getting their information?

Voter ID

There are those who complain and rant and say how they would do it, but aren't even registered to vote and don't intend to ever set foot in a voting booth. To those people, I say that every vote can make a difference, but if they refuse to vote, then hold your tongues because you don't get an opinion involving candidates, policies or parties.

To those who do vote and do it quietly without sounding great bugles announcing who and why and wherefore, I admire you; for politics is a personal business, in my opinion. Now, that isn't to say that these people can't firmly stand up for what they believe is right by volunteering to aid a candidate's campaign or taking a firm position if asked about a particular issue or candidate. These people do these things, but not with great fanfare.

Then, there are those who must tell every friend on Facebook, every neighbor, co-worker, family member and even strangers their strong political beliefs. These people often push their views on others and seem to want to offend others in order to start a debate; the more public the better for these people. Generally, it's these people that need a stage for every aspect of life though, not just during the politically charged months of the year. These people I don't understand, and I try to avoid them at all costs. But they do vote, and for that, I respect them.

Hitting Home with the Voter

Sometimes, politics hits home and can affect families. For instance, many voters across the country will consider measures that deal with the definition of marriage, school referendums, taxes, etc .

Yesterday, I got an email from a group that supports the Minnesota Zoo, encouraging its members to be sure to ask their candidates if they support the Zoo, considering that a very small, but vital part of their budget comes from the state's budget. I have never considered the Zoo when I vote, but I will this year thanks to the email.

Voter Education

So, if you are going to vote, and I sincerely hope you do vote, then you do need to be sure you understand the issues and what each of your candidates stand for in this race; one way or another the winner of these races will impact your life.

For unbiased, unabashed candidate info go to Project Vote Smart. This non-profit, non-partisan organization gives you the information you need about each candidate and ballot measure in your voting precinct.

If your head is spinning from all the speeches, debates and ads, and you just want the facts, please, then go to FactCheck.org. This non-profit group is busy fact-checking and debunking ads, speeches, quotes, articles, etc. so that you can sleep easy and be clear about the issues and the candidates spinning them before you vote.

And if you just need to know exactly how your candidates stand on the issues and will most likely vote while in office/support as a local/state/federal official, then check On the Issues. Here you will find very succinct listings of where your guy or gal sits on a long list of important issues.

The Scoop

During the next month or so, there will be no escaping politics. It has invaded yards, voicemails, radio, TV, billboards, magazines, newspapers and stores...even children's stores. This photo was taken in a Toys R Us. You can try to maneuver the claw to grab and win a Mitt Romney doll or Barack Obama pillow head. I bet all the kids try for those over the veggie heads, angry birds and teddy bears. Over and out...

Anna

On Fried Chicken and Casting Stones

Framing the Issue

This has NOTHING to do with fried chicken.

I have been mulling this over in my mind for a long time trying to find the right words to address this topic.

When we go to the polls in November, the voters in my state will be asked to make a number of important decisions. One of those questions regards an amendment to our state constitution concerning the definition of marriage within MN.

This topic has gripped our nation in recent months based on various ballot questions, the presidential election and the prospect of court rulings from the highest courts in the country in the coming year or two.

What am I talking about? Well, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm referring to same-sex marriage. For the record, I am a heterosexual female and I'm married to a heterosexual male, but this debate coursing through our country has me steaming. So, why do I care?

For me, there are multiple layers to this issue.

Fueled by Fear

I don't generally argue about religious issues here on Motherly Law, but for me this discussion has absolutely nothing to do with religion. For me, this is a legal issue, just like other laws that regulate who can and cannot marry, when, where and why.

However, for some people this is a religious issue. What I can't figure out is where in the world these people got the idea that God would want them to use His name in this hateful, fear-based argument against other human beings.

What is clear to me is that this is exactly that: a hateful rant born out of fear and misunderstanding.

I ask you, do you know any same-sex couples? Well, I do, and you know what? They are exactly like "opposite-sex" couples. That's right. They casually chat with each other over a quiet dinner; they argue over whose turn it is to do the dishes or take out the trash or get up with the crying baby; they share inside jokes; they take their kids to the park; they buy groceries; they go to church on Sunday; they live their lives just like any other family in the neighborhood.

Fear of "these people" corrupting our kids and our "family values" is misplaced.

And for the record, I have known a number of "opposite-sex" couples who should have never been allowed to get married; who made a mess of their marriage; who destroyed their families; who certainly stained our idea of "family values"; some of these people are church-going, God-fearing people...for the record.

Historical Instances of Suppressing Rights

From a historical and legal review, I would ask you to think about all the laws that have sought to restrict the rights of other groups of people and have eventually been rectified and those laws amended or overturned in court. Two groups that certainly come to my mind are women and black people.

For far too many years a woman's rights to vote, to hold certain positions, get paid an equal amount for the same work, own property and make decisions concerning her own body were held in check by laws; laws made by white men. And for the record, women's suffrage was considered a religious issue in that fight too; it would ruin "family values" and all...for the record.

Our country felt so strongly about whether white men had the right to control, nay...own other human beings and treat them as property, as the laws referred to slaves, simply because their skin was darker than the men who made the laws, that our divided nation went to war to resolve this issue.

It may have taken hundreds of years, but we have finally reconciled these wrongs. We have finally recognized the rights of all human beings...oh wait. That's right. We are now fighting hard not to allow two adults who love each other the right to get married and raise a family as a married couple with all the rights a married couple has.

From a different legal perspective, many of the laws we have on our books are there to protect people from physical or mental harm, protect their property and be sure that basic human rights are not quashed. Laws are not intended to harm a particular group of people who believe something different than the majority or single out people of a certain creed simple because some of the people in the country don't understand or agree with their beliefs or lifestyle choices.

A legal union between two consenting adults of full mental capacity, regardless of gender, national origin, religion, etc. is a basic right that harms no one, at least in my book. How would you feel if your right to marry your spouse was suddenly in question?

The Scoop

You know, as I ponder this hateful rhetoric, I think that perhaps the real fear is that same-sex couples do act like "traditional" couples. I think the real fear is that "they" raise families like the rest of "us"; "they" are just like "us" when it comes to spousal duties, in-laws, career aspirations, planning the summer vacation, etc. And if "they" are like "us" then what? I think this elicits fear of the unknown for some people.

I would liken this fear to the uncomfortable, uneasy feelings that predominated white families as minority families began moving into "their" neighborhoods years ago. While most neighborhoods and communities are quite multi-cultural now and that fear has greatly subsided, the original prejudice was based on ignorance and misunderstanding of each other's cultures and values.

If we could all be loving, peaceful and kind to one another, as the Bible teaches us, then we would get along, learn from each other and live happily ever after. While that is clearly not possible, at least not yet, I suggest that we all follow the advice of Jesus found in John 8:7 when Jesus said,

If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone...

This was in reference to a woman who had been caught committing adultery; a crime punishable by stoning. And in case you don't know the rest of the story, not one of the men present cast a stone at her or condemned her, especially not Jesus.

The point is, we have all sinned in various ways, and it's not for us to judge each other's actions and decisions and determine what's a sin and what's not and how each sin ranks on a scale 1-10.

This has NOTHING to do with fried chicken. We're talking about people, just like you and me.

And for the record, this is my opinon; a view I have a right to express thanks to our Constitution. What's your opinion? Over and out...

Anna

For more about this topic from me, please read: There's a Storm a Brewin' in Minnesota: NOH8MN

Mississippi Underestimated: Answering the Question of Personhood

Free Choice

I recently saw a quote from a conservative governor stating that he had vetoed a particular bill because he didn't want to micromanage the actions of adults. This quote struck me as odd for a number of reasons. To name one, it's conservatives who typically are trying to take away the choice of abortions for all women. Isn't this also micromanaging adult women's actions?

Let me be clear. I am not a proponent of abortions. I don't know a single soul who is. I am a proponent of free choice. Abortion is not something that I would choose, as far as I know. But then again, I've never been in a position to have to make this decision; so I can't say for certain. I am certain that I cannot make that decision for anyone else though; it's not for me to say what others do with their bodies.

I think that a woman or a man should have the choice of making decisions regarding her or his body without the state interfering with this choice because someone else living in that state may disagree with the choice that person makes. The decision to have an abortion for any reason is one of the most personal choices I can think of.

An Argument for Conservatives

I liken my argument to that of gun rights. I, personally, don't think that people should own guns for personal safety or hunting. I, personally, think that people with guns make our society less safe. However, not everyone agrees with me. There are those who think it's vitally important to have firearms in the home in order to protect the family. There are others who enjoy the sport of hunting.

I will leave them to their sport and their sense of security. I will not tell them they can't own guns, even if they are safe with them and follow all the laws regarding firearm ownership and don't threaten others or commit crimes with their firearms. That is their right.

MS 26

Well, it's also a woman's right to decide what happens to her body. Yesterday, the people of Mississippi went to the polls to vote on a number of items, one of which was Initiative 26. "MS 26" as it was termed may have been on the MS ballot, but it was an issue that could have affected all women across this country. I spent my evening watching my Twitter stream with the hashtag #MS26 {I met some lovely ladies from MS too.} and monitoring MS election results.

If MS 26 had succeeded it could have opened the flood gates rushing toward the eventual overturn of Roe v. Wade. Well, it didn't. The people of Mississippi came through in the name of women's rights.

The exact wording of MS 26 is this:

Should the term 'person' be defined to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the equivalent thereof?

57% of the voters in MS answered this question with a resounding, "NO" despite the time and money spent by Personhood USA in hopes of a "yes" vote.

Personhood USA

Personhood USA is a Colorado based "Christian" nonprofit organization that "serves the pro-life community by assisting local groups to initiate citizen, legislative, and political action focusing on the ultimate goal of the pro-life movement: personhood rights for all innocent humans."

What this means is that a grassroots team showed up in MS and planted the idea of putting this question to the vote of the people in hopes of stirring the pot into a frenzy that could lead other ultra conservative states to do the same. The Personhood Mississippi website says if the vote was yes, a legal challenge would be set up to challenge Roe v. Wade. Of course, the website also says that the most important reason to vote yes is that it will honor God and show love to their neighbors in the law system. Clearly, Personhood USA was appealing to the conservative Christian voters of that state.

Strong Southern Women

Mississippians responded with their own grassroots fight, explaining to would-be voters that MS 26 could have more far reaching effects, such as infertility treatments, access to contraception and women's health, in general. Personhood USA thought it could appeal to the deeply conservative, Christian, low-income and uneducated citizens of MS. They were wrong. Mississippians are smarting than that.

The idea of the personhood question evolved from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's observation during Roe v. Wade oral arguments when he said, "If it were established that an unborn fetus is a person, you would have an impossible case here." Now Personhood USA is trying to do just that. 

The Scoop

There are a number of laws in place that regulate the how, when and where abortions are performed, by whom and upon whom. It's not a spur of the moment, lightly taken, frivolous decision....ever. And the laws in place protect those who for whatever reason have come to a clinic for an abortion. Without these laws, providing this right, abortions would still take place, but behind the scenes, without safeguards, without regulating the who or what or when or where.

In the past I wrote about laws with unintended results. If the voters' answer to MS 26 had been yes, this would have been one of those laws. This issue is not about choosing abortion; this issue is about choosing for one's self. The people of Mississippi have chosen for themselves. Over and out...

Anna

 

There’s a Storm a Brewin’ in Minnesota: NOH8MN

Fear & Hate

Some say the Rapture came to Minnesota last night, bringing fear and hatred.

In the waning hours of Saturday night, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill that places on the November 2012 ballot the question of whether to amend the Minnesota Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. This bill was not passed without a somber, civil, sad fight.

All of this happening just 20 minutes from our home, DH & I huddled around my computer listening and watching a live feed from the House Chamber floor. From the feed, we could hear chanting and cheering and faintly make out the words from just outside the chamber doors, "Just Vote No."

To be clear, there is already a law that defines a marriage as one man and one woman. This ballot item could change the Constitution to reflect the same.

Why I Take Issue with This

While Motherly Law is not a political blog, and generally I leave the politics out of my posts, I do have this to say regarding this issue. I was proud to be a Minnesotan last night as I listened to my fellow DFL (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party) members and a few Republicans crossing party lines take a stand and discuss why a No vote was in order. I was extremely disappointed in the passage of this bill though.

Firstly, we have friends and family members in same-sex marriages or relationships, depending on what the laws of their state will allow. We love and support these stable, loving, devoted couples.

Secondly, any laws or movements or bills that in effect will limit people's personal rights and choices, regardless of how it is presented in the bill or movement or law, gets my dander up and puts me on the defensive.

This morning we explained to the Darling Boys what had gone on in our state capitol last night. We explained that we support people to make their own choices about whom to love and to define for themselves what family looks like so far as these choices do not harm or endanger others {as is the case with any right afforded anyone}.

We asked the boys how they would feel if someone told them they couldn't ever wear the color green; or they couldn't be friends with a certain person; or they had to go to a different school than the one we have chosen because the government thought another school was a better choice. The boys said they would be sad and would not like that. They thought they should be free to make those decisions for themselves. We agree.

The People of Minnesota

Many of those who voted for this bill cowardly and slyly passed it off as being something the people of Minnesota should decide. To my knowledge, the people of Minnesota did not ask to decide this question. The people in my part of Minnesota happily live side by side with same-sex couples; attend church with same-sex couples, send their kids to school with kids with same-sex parents and have dinner with friends who happen to be same-sex couples.

As the insightful DFL Representative from New Brighton, Kate Knuth, stated, she is fearful of the messages of hate that will come to our state and fill our airways and newsprint for the next 18 months. I agree with Rep. Knuth. These messages and campaigns, inspired by fear and hate, are now inevitable in our peaceful, "Minnesota Nice" state. It is this I cannot live with; this that I am fearful of; this that I abhor.

The Scoop

So, those of you who would bring such messages to my state, my city, my neighborhood, know this: the gloves are off; there will be no Minnesota Nice to greet you. Minnesotans are strong, educated, equality-minded people who won't allow their state to be overcome with hate, fear and suspicion.

Minnesotans began organizing a #NoH8MN {No Hate in MN} campaign within minutes of the passage of this bill. There are now Twitter accounts, Facebook pages, websites, and even a march earlier today all meant to combat the fear and hate that this bill represents.

As the fine Representative John Kriesel (R) of Cottage Grove pointed out as he defiantly crossed party lines to vote, "Hell No!"; we are talking about people. As he reflected about a specific man from Minnesota, who was gay, who was a soldier, who lost his life defending our country, Rep. Kriesel said he could not support a bill that in effect says this man was not good enough to choose whom he loved and wanted to marry, but was good enough to be sent off to war and be killed for our country.

This issue is about people, not religion. This issue is about all of us, regardless of your sexual orientation. This issue is about personal rights and choices. Period.

As if on cue, just minutes after this bill passed with a vote count of 70- 62, the rain began to pour, the lightning strike and the thunder roll. This is about people. Over and out...

Anna

In Recognition of Moms: Women’s Suffrage

Cruising Through

I have taken a lot for granted in my life. I, as a woman born in the mid-seventies and coming of age in the mid-nineties have cruised through life not concerned about being able to attend the university of my choosing; whether I would be able to get the education I desired and the licensure necessary for the career path I picked; whether I could find a job as an attorney or if I would be able to vote for who I wanted to in local, state and national elections based on the F marked in a box on a form.

I may have had a few hitches in my plans or hit a few bumps in the road, but I have never fought against such a determined regime, met with such high obstacles or stopped to consider how I came to have all these rights, accessibilities and liberties; rights my great-grandmothers did not fully enjoy; a few rights not even my grandmothers fully enjoyed.

Women's Rights

In 1920, the 19^th Amendment was passed, providing: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." While the fact that this Amendment was passed at all is remarkable in itself, but it's the time and energy and passion of the women who succeeded in getting it passed that is the most extraordinary part of the story.

It took 72 years for women to achieve the right to vote....72 years. Absurd! The Equal Rights Amendment which women fought hard for from 1923 to 1982 is still awaiting ratification by 3 more states after passing both the House and the Senate back in 1982. The U.S. has yet to elect a female President or Vice President unlike many countries of our world. And as of May 2010, only 15 of the Fortune 500 CEOs were women.

The Long Journey

In honor of Mother's Day and Mothers and Daughters and Sons everywhere I thought I would spend this week discussing women's rights in the U.S. and the laws that have passed thus far. Today, my focus is on women's suffrage and the journey of getting the 19^th Amendment enacted. These many women fought that we might have the freedom to vote and be equal to our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons. Here are a few points to ponder and share with your kiddos:

• Suffrage is defined as the right of voting. The women who waged this battle were often referred to as Suffragists.
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott organized the first Woman's Right Convention in Seneca Falls, NY in 1848. There were 300 women and men in attendance at this 2 day meeting where they sought to gain support for women's rights and bring awareness to these injustices.
• At the first Woman's Right Convention "Attendees resolved to 'secure for [woman] political, legal and social equality with man,' giving her the opportunity to freely choose her sphere." Source: www.wikipedia.com
• Women's right activists held national conventions every year until the Civil War began, but resumed again in 1868.
• In 1878, the amendment was introduced to Congress for the 1^st time.
• The Suffragists were taunted, jailed and beaten. These women pursued various strategies to gain support and awareness: hunger strikes, passing state laws giving women state voting rights, parades, challenging male-only laws, silent vigils.
• In 1872, Susan B. Anthony, citing her citizenship under the 14^th Amendment, cast a ballot in the presidential election in NY. She was arrested, tried, convicted and fined $100. Anthony refused to pay this fine. The Supreme Court later found that women may be citizens, but not all citizens are voters and states do not have to allow women to vote.
• Both Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton died before ever casting a legal ballot though they spent their lives fighting for this right. In fact, most of these trailblazers died before ever getting the chance vote alongside their male counterparts.
• Stanton was not supported in this endeavor by her husband or father and as her family continued to grow, her fight was often behind the scenes through writings published under a pseudonym.
• The fate of the 19^th Amendment was decided by a single vote, that of 24-year-old legislator in TN, Harry Burn, who switched from "no" to "yes" in response to a letter from his mother saying, "Hurrah, and vote for suffrage!" source: www.equalrightsamendment.org

The Scoop

I can only imagine the jubilation with which the women voted following the passage of the 19^th Amendment. Although a law does not change the views of all people, as is still apparent in our society. Over time, it has become the norm & {legal} for women to vote, hold office, gain an education, run a business, own property, etc. Society mellows and accepts "new fangled ideas" of each generation. And yet, women still have mountains to climb in the U.S. to reach the peak of true equality.

What would I have done if faced with these restrictions? Would I rise up and revolt as these strong and determined women did? I certainly hope I would have been brave enough to fight that battle. And I hope that I will be brave when faced with similar injustices in my lifetime. Your thoughts? Over and out...

Anna

You might also like:

Definition of Family: Constitutionality of FL Adoption Law Banning Gays

Celebrating Christmas: The Plastic Reindeer Rule; Analysis of Lynch v. Donnelly

Con Law for Preschoolers: Exercising Our First Amendment Rights at Home {& in Schools}

Constituency Services Part 2: My Experiment Re: Contacting My Legislators

Faith in My Country

I'm neither a gullible nor particularly trusting individual when it comes to strangers, sales pitches or concepts outside of my comfort zone. On the other hand, I do have wholehearted faith in my God, my country and my family. I buy into the concept of democracy hook, line and sinker. I do not question whether the system works, but I do question the motives of many of the politicians. Yet, at the same time, I truly want to believe that every politician, even Republicans, have the greater good of the American people at the heart of every action, statement, bill and vote. I know that isn't always the case, but I want to believe it. I'm a romantic and a believer in happy endings.

The Experiment

Over the last month or so, I have conducted a very informal experiment. The results of this so-called experiment have left me equally disappointed and pleased. In planning this series, I contacted a small number of my state and federal lawmakers. I picked a few members of the Minnesota House of Representatives and a few of Minnesota's U.S. Senators and Congressmen and randomly decided who in this list I would email and who I would call. I chose legislators I support, believe in and vote for.

The Email Route

In the email, I explained who I was and that I was planning this series for my blog on constituency services. I invited each legislator to participate in this discussion by writing a guest post or providing any other information. The point of this experiment was to see who responded and how quickly, regardless of why I was contacting them, but simply because I was a constituent. In my opinion, the people, the constituents of an elected official, should be able to contact that person and expect to hear back whether by email, phone call or traditional mail; whether it's the legislator or a member of his or her staff. The single most important point is to respond.

My emails went unheeded. I was extremely disappointed by this. I even emailed one MN State Representative, Paul Thissen, twice. I really like what Rep. Thissen has to say. He's a husband, an attorney and a father. So, I thought he would find a good audience with my readers and provide an interesting guest post. Alas, I never heard back from him at all; not even an automated form email.

Also, on the email list was U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Again, I sent the same kind of email explaining who I am and what I was asking of her. This time I heard back immediately. Yeah! My belief in the legislators was restored. Oh, wait...nope; just a form letter saying my email had been received. Generally, these types of emails say don't respond to this email address because no one checks it, but don't worry we'll get back to you eventually. Hers doesn't say she will ever get back to me, but instead suggests I visit her website and contact her that way. Hmmm, that's what I did, and I got this:

Here is the form email from Sen. Klobuchar:

Replying to your message

From:	"[email protected]" <[email protected]> Add to Contacts
To:	[email protected]

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail me.  This is a confirmation that we have received your message.  One of the most important parts of my job is listening to what the people of Minnesota have to say to me.  I am here in our nation's capital to do the public's business on behalf of the people of our state.

Please continue to visit my website at http://www.klobuchar.senate.gov to follow what I am working on, both in Washington and Minnesota.  It is frequently updated with current news and events regarding my work in the U.S. Senate.

Additionally, many constituents ask about tracking the progress of legislation.  One useful tool is to regularly check my website.  Another resource I recommend is the Library of Congress legislative information website, http://thomas.loc.gov.  I hope you find this information helpful.

- Amy

Please do not reply to this email address.  The best way to contact me is through my website at http://www.klobuchar.senate.gov.  Thank you!

 

Yes, I realize I could have called Thissen's office or Klobuchar's office or driven down to their metro offices to speak with someone in person, but that was not the point. If legislators provide various ways of getting in touch with them on their websites, newsletters, etc. I should be able to make contact with someone in their offices via email. Besides she was on my email list; remember this was an experiment. This email was sent to my on Feb. 2^nd and I have yet to hear another word from anyone in her office.

The Phone Route

Included on my call list was U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, my representative, and MN State Rep. Linda Slocum. I had to leave messages at both locations, but heard back from both within a day of calling. I spoke with a staff member in Rep. Ellison's office and he agreed to do a guest post; I'll post that tomorrow. Rep. Slocum did return my call right away, but then we proceeded to play phone tag over the course of a week with the last contact yesterday. Rep. Slocum was trying to reach me and didn't take long to return my call; she gets points for that. Again, the point was to get a response, and I did.

Experiment Results

A phone message isn't much different from an email. You aren't forced to reply to either if you so choose. I, personally, find an email so much more convenient because it can be replied to any time of the day, any day of the week. However, clearly there is a difference when it comes to getting a response from a legislator's office. So, if you are trying to get an answer about something from a lawmaker and aren't just making a comment or suggestion, I recommend that you call your legislator.

I did not physically go to anyone's office. I don't have much time available for running such errands, especially without kiddos in tow. I also feel that a constituent shouldn't have to physically go to an elected official's office to get a response. So, that method of contact was not included in my "control groups."

The Scoop

In discussing my experiment with friends, one friend argued that the lawmakers are busy people and don't have time to respond to everyone who contacts them. I agree with her argument that legislators are busy, especially while in session, but these people have staff whose job it is to reply to emails and phone calls. My friend continued her argument based on a business point of view. I countered this with my argument that elected officials are not in the same category as a business.

They are elected by the people and their job is to serve the people that elected them and whom they represent regardless of political views. And by serve I mean: respond to emails, phone calls and other methods of contact; get to know the people they represent and their needs and views; author, support and vote on legislation that will in some way better the quality of life of the people in his or her district, state and/or country.

Have you had contact with your state and federal legislators? What has been your experience? How did you contact them? Since this post has run long, {Yes, I know. This is typical for me.} I will provide information on the types of constituent services a legislator's office can assist you with, etc. later this week. Tomorrow I will have a guest post from U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison. Over and out...

Anna

*I want to stress that I contacted legislators who I like, believe in and vote for. I can't say whether these results are the norm for these offices, but I am open to discussion of this matter if anyone has evidence of a differing result. I also welcome late responses from these legislators, as well.  Thanks to all who did reply to my emails and phone calls.

You might also like:

Constituency Services Part 1: Guest Post by U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen

President’s Day 2011: Holiday Or Snow Day?

Alphabet Soup: Food Safety Standards; USDA, FDA, HHS & Now FSMA

America’s Message: 2010 Election Recap

Politician in Training

If you ask Darling 1 what he wants to be when he grows up, he will tell you: Bruce Springsteen, a baseball player, an astronaut, a conductor of a symphony and a cowboy. But I think he might be in training to be a politician. What do you think?

Ways in Which My 4 Year-Old Acts Like a Politician:

1. Darling 1 will tell you he doesn't like bananas whatsoever; the very next day he professes he deep love of bananas and eats two on the spot.
2. Darling 1's Pre-K teachers talk about what a rule follower he is in class and how he never acts up, fights, yells or throws things, but at home it can be a very different story;
3. If you ask him to clean up his toys, he might tell you he is too busy or too tired to do so, but if you tell him you will give him a piece of chocolate once the room is clean, he immediately puts the items away in order to get his bribe;
4. When asked why his little brother is crying, he might respond something like this: "well, a giant gust a wind came through the house and knocked the (insert toy name) out of my hand and sent it hurtling at Darling 2's head"; or "I accidentally bit him on the arm even though I did not mean to do it";
5. It takes asking Darling 1 the same question about 4 or 5 different times to get a straight answer; an answer that he will stick with and not change his mind about;
6. Don't even try to negotiate with him, you'll end up giving him more than you ever even intended to offer and maybe more than you are authorized to offer; and
7. Darling 1 thinks all of the money in the house is his.

Do these scenarios sound familiar to you? Does it remind you of your children or of a politician you may or may not have voted for this week?

As parents we have to deal with our spoiled, incorrigible, stubborn, spirited, and/or creative thinking kids. And as citizen of this democracy we have to put up with the people elected to serve as our government representatives on a local, state and federal basis. On some days and under some circumstances, this is a great honor, and on other days and under other circumstances, this can be a humbling experience, to say the least.

Eternally Optimistic

To recap the 2010 Mid-Term Election results: "America sent a message to Washington" was a catch-phrase heard often during the evening hours of Nov. 2^nd. While this was not my message, it's one I can appreciate. I tend to be eternally optimistic about our government. For instance, I held out hope for a long time that George W. really did have knowledge of weapons of mass destruction when we went to war so many years ago (And I've never even been a fan of W. the politician. As someone to hang out with at a party? Well, that's another story. Remember, we go way back. He was my governor in Texas before he was my President); I bought into Edwards' humble family man act and am repeatedly shocked and dismayed when I hear of yet another cheating politician; and yet I continue to believe that those we elect really do have the American people's best interests at heart. I'll admit that I'm a sap when it comes to politics.

That said, I think that it could be a positive experience for our country for the Republicans to be in control of the House while the Democrats control the Senate and the White House. I believe this arrangement will force all involved to work harder to get the job done.

And speaking of jobs, creating jobs, lowering the unemployment rate and boosting the economy in general are apparently the issues listed as #1 on most Americans' national agenda. President Obama heard the message and has now pledged to work to "make clear to the business community, as well as to the country, that the most important thing we can do is to boost and encourage our business sector and make sure that they're hiring." Mr. Obama also promised to negotiate with the Republicans on issues such as, tax cuts, small provisions of the health care bill, energy, etc.

Election Results

In Monday's post, I discussed several points of interest to watch on Tuesday as the results came in. Here are the outcomes of those issues:

• Marijuana Propositions: In SD and OR, the medical marijuana propositions failed; and in AZ it's too close to call at this time. CA's Proposition 19 to legalize marijuana was easily defeated.
• Tea Party: Tea Party supported candidates did fairly well winning races in KY, AZ, FL, NC, NJ, MI, IN, WI, SD, NY, IL, LA, WA and AR. Tea Party candidates also lost some key elections; DE & NV to name a few. The Tea Party movement is definitely a force to be reckoned with at this time. Only time will tell if the group's strong influence will continue into the next election in 2012.
• Iowa's Supreme Court Justices: In a historical upset, the three IA Justices lost their seats in a retention vote after conservatives mounted a massive campaign against the Justices based on the Court's 2009 7-0 decision that allowed gay couples to marry in Iowa. "In the end, the aggressive campaign to misuse the judicial retention vote, funded by out-of-state special interests, has succeeded," Drake University Law School Dean Allan Vestal said. "The loss of these three justices is most unfortunate, and the damage to our judicial system and the merit selection of judges will take much to repair." This action was purely retaliatory in nature. Dismissing these Justices will not change the decision. These Justices were merely doing their job, interpreting the laws and constitution of IA, not acting as activists as the smear campaign would have you believe. As a former IA resident and IA Judicial Department employee, I am deeply disappointed by this result.
• The Senate & The House: The Democrats retained control of the Senate, winning 12 seats, while the Republicans won 23 seats, which means the Senate looks like this: 52(D) and 46 (R). In the House, Republicans took control with a net gain of 60 seats. Overall, there will now be 239 (R) and 186 (D) in the House, with 11 races too close to call.
• Other Races Too Close to Call: At this time, there are still a few races left undecided. The gubernatorial races in MN, OR and IL are too close to call and likely headed for a recount. And there are two undeclared U.S. Senate races: WA and AK. It could be months before the AK winner is known due to write-in candidate, Lisa Murkowski, leading the vote. Each vote will have to be counted by hand and checked for correct spelling.
• For more interesting tidbits about the 2010 Election results check out 9 Historic, Groundbreaking, Unusual or Downright Surprising Results From the 2010 Midterms from TakePart.com: http://bit.ly/dcUC3s

The Scoop

I will post on the best ways to contact a government representative to discuss an issue in the coming weeks, but I decided this week was not the best time to contact elected officials and expect to get answers from them. This election was quite interesting. The Tea Party added a new dimension to the campaigns; there were a number of unique propositions on ballots; and history was made by several results. No one can say that politics is dull.

What was your take on the results? How do you feel about the upcoming legislative session and the freshman class?

Don't forget to check out the ML Survey in the post below this one. By taking a moment to answer the survey questions you will me get to know you, the readers, better. It's quick and easy, I promise.

I will post a bit of Motherly Advice on Friday. Over and out…

Anna

You might also like:

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May I Please Have a Moment of Your Time?: Motherly Law Survey

Your Opinion Counts

I know many of you voted in the general election yesterday, proudly sporting your "I Voted" stickers, as I did. In the spirit of the election season, I have another "ballot" for you; the Motherly Law Survey. No research about any candidates necessary. These are questions you could answer in your sleep. And as a sleep-deprived working mom, I ought to know.

It's a quick and painless, 10 question anonymous survey. Your answers will help me get to know my audience better, enabling me to continue to provide content you are enthusiastic about and to tailor Motherly Law's features to your needs and interests.

The Survey

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

 

 It's Kind to Share

While I don't have any stickers to give out, if you have a website you could grab my Motherly Law Button, located on the top right side of this site, or you could share with your friends that you took the ML survey by tweeting about it and/or posting it on FB (that would be much appreciated).

New Readers

If you are new to Motherly Law and wondering if this is a site you should bookmark (the answer is definitely yes, by the way), please read my About page and the 14 Reasons to Read (& Love) Motherly Law.

The Scoop

Tomorrow I will post the best ways to contact your state and federal representatives. Over and out...

Anna

Here are a few of the most read posts:

We're Not Gonna Take It: Anti-Bullying Laws Leaving Kids Unprotected

The Right to Bear Arms in Your Home: McDonald v. City of Chicago

The Organic, Sustainable, Grass-Fed, All-Natural, Free-Range, Fair Trade Grocery List: What Do All These Adjectives Mean??

I Voted

The Darling Boys and I went to vote this afternoon. Darling 1's favorite part was that I voted in the gym of the school, and that he got to ride his bike to vote. Darling 2's favorite part was seeing all the school buses lined up waiting for the school kids. And they both liked getting the sticker.

Have you voted yet? Was your polling place busy? Ours was fairly busy.

Mid-term elections typically have a much lower turnout. The word is that if there is a lower overall turnout today the Republicans will fare better. This could be good news or bad news, depending on which camp you are in.

I will be monitoring the numbers tonight. Will you? Or will you just check the headlines on Wednesday?

 

Watch for a Motherly Law Survey tomorrow. I will post a tips and websites post on Thursday this week. Go vote! Over and out...

Anna

Go Vote: Election Issues that Could Impact Your Family

My Short Political Career

The life of a politician is no life for me. I tried it a few times back in Junior High. I ran for Student Council. I didn't win, but I kept trying for a few years. I never won an election, but I did end up on the Dumas High School Student Council during my first year in high school after the person who won the election moved or dropped out or had a baby or something. I like being in charge, but I much prefer to be appointed to office as was the case with all other leadership positions I have held over the years.

Day in the Life of a Politician

It can't be easy to be continually in the spotlight; every utterance dissected and interpreted a thousand different ways; having to see your face pasted across every possible medium and all of the other uncomfortable, prickly situations that are just a day in the life of a politician.

Yet year after year, citizens feel compelled to run for municipal, county, state and federal offices; each with his or her own ideas about how things should be run. And this is a good thing. This is what having a democracy is all about. Thank God for these brave souls and their families who are willing to be placed under the microscope in hopes of bettering our country, if they win the election.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Unless you live under a rock or in my house, you have been bombarded by millions of political ads, which will continue until every last polling place has closed on Tuesday, Nov. 2^nd. Our non-TV-watching household has managed to avoid all ads except print ads mailed to us. While most advertisements seem like a waste of time and money, there are a few good ones out there that make valid, thought-provoking points and actually aid the voters in making a decision at the polls. Here are some of the best and worst political advertisements, according to www.humanevents.com.

Agree to Disagree

Politics is an area that many friends and family just agree to disagree about, and that is what I hope we can do here. As I have said, in general, I'm quite liberal, yet I do take a look at both sides and weigh the options carefully when it comes to voting. During this mid-term election season, there are a wide range of issues that I think could greatly impact families depending upon the election results on Tuesday.

Whether you vote straight Democrat or Republican or bounce around between Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians and Independents; whether you live in CA, IA or MA or any other state; whether you agree wholeheartedly with me or do not stand with me on one single issue, these election topics could affect you and your families.

The Issues

Some of the big issues are obvious:

• Economy: It's no surprise that one of the biggest issues is the economy. The Republicans blame Democrats for the "failed stimulus" and other economic policies. In conjunction with this argument Republicans are backing candidates with big business experience. Democrats counter this argument with blaming big business and the previous administration.

   

• Healthcare: Voters are confused and/or disgruntled about the healthcare bill. The future of the healthcare system depends on the outcome of these elections. I plan to post more specifically about various parts of the new Healthcare laws in the near future.

   

• Tea Party: While the Tea Party movement has captured the attention of the country and did well in the primaries, it remains to be seen how the so-called "Tea Party" candidates will fare in the general election. In the primaries, many Tea Party endorsed candidates beat established, career Republican contenders. This may be a pitfall for the Republicans come Tuesday. Will Republican voters, and perhaps others, actually vote the extremely conservative, small government advocating, Tea Partiers into office? We shall see tomorrow.

A few other issues that may have escaped your attention:

• California's Proposition 19: Prop 19 is the effort to legalize marijuana, and is also known as Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act 2010. If approved by the voters, this act will legalize the sale, possession, use and growth of marijuana under certain circumstances. The bill also allows the cities and state to regulate and tax the sale and use of marijuana. Not surprisingly, this bill has attracted the attention of many young voters. California voters are not the only ones who have such a bill on the ballot: AZ, SD and OR will be voting on the legalization of marijuana for medical use. It will be interesting to see how Prop 19 fares. And if it passes, it will be interesting to follow this topic to see if regulating the amount sold and grown and places where it can be consumed affects the war on drugs, etc. Click here for more information on California Proposition 19 .

   

• Campaign to Unseat Iowa Justices: This one is most distressing to me. There's a conservative campaign to unseat 3 IA Supreme Court Justices who joined a 7-0 opinion ruling that a state law limiting marriage to between a man and a woman violated the constitutional rights of equal protection. Those campaigning to remove the justices have spent over $650,000 on this agenda, much of it has come from out of state since the organizations spearheading this movement are from out of state.

   

  So, why does the American Family Association in Mississippi care what the IA Supreme Court justices are doing? Well, apparently these ultra conservative groups are worried that other courts might get the same idea which would lead to more states allowing same sex couples to legally get married, and this scares them to death.

   

  What bothers me about this is that these groups are retaliating at these justices for doing what they are supposed to do; interpret the law and decide cases based on their interpretations. They are advocating that these justices lose their jobs because they decided a case in a way that offends these groups. It's a scare tactic to warn other justices in other states. It's dirty politics. And by the way, IA has never once ousted a Supreme Court Justice up for re-election.

   

• State Gubernatorial Races: There are 37 states and 2 U.S. territories with Gubernatorial elections set for Tuesday. According to CBS news, the 2010 Census means that after this election many states will see their number of House seats in Washington change. Texas could gain as many as three seats, while Ohio could lose two. Who controls those states could change who controls Congress for the next decade. Because of this, Democrats are fighting hard and have a strong incumbent in Ohio and strong challengers in Texas, where Governor Rick Perry's approval is sliding. It's been a while since Texas had a Democrat Governor, but it could happen.

For more information on the issues, the candidates and the voters, click here for the New York Times political page.

The Scoop

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 2^nd, is the day you vote, which means you have one more day to do your homework and decide which candidates best represent what's important to you. Don't forget to check the address of your voting precinct before you head out to vote.

And if you don't vote, you should. I can remember every detail of the very first time I voted. It was November 1992. I went with my parents. I was so proud to have achieved this rite of passage to adulthood and to have contributed to the democracy of my country. The right to vote is a tremendous privilege and responsibility we as American citizens possess.

If you are not registered to vote, check with your state. Some states, like Minnesota, allow you to register at the polls the day of the elections and vote right then and there. Other states will allow you to register at any time, but you may not be able to vote on Tuesday. Either way, get registered to vote. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain about our government or its policies.

Do you remember the first time you voted? How do you decide who to vote for? What issues have you been paying attention to? How do you impress upon your children the importance of voting?

On Thursday, I will post on the best ways to contact a state and federal representative and be heard about a relevant issue that you feel strongly about. I will be contacting some MN state and federal representatives in the course of researching this topic. Over and out…

Anna

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