Eliska Counce: If You're a Female and Voting Romney, I Don't Get it at All

By Eliska Counce, TSB Columnist

Hey, girl. We gotta talk politics. Because no one puts baby in a binder, right? If you're a female, there's really only one choice for you this fall. And I get it. Most of you here in the Collin County Texas area, you're Team Romney, Team NObama; I get it. Some of you even are so misguided, you believe it doesn't matter who gets elected, that it's just one millionaire against another and it doesn't matter who is elected. I wish I understood. As a female voting in 2012, however, it's crucial to ask yourself some hard questions. Because it does matter who runs our country for the next four years. Riddle me this:

Who's the candidate working for equal pay for women? Women are still paid 75 cents for every dollar men are paid. Obama gets this, because he was raised by a single mom. Are you familiar with Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act to help women get equal pay for equal work? Because that's the first bill your president signed into law.

Got education? Obama's making it within reach. If you were to divorce or lose your job, you could be educated to take the reins for yourself. Education shouldn't just be for the rich in this time of soaring educational costs. Have you seen the tuition rate at the University of Texas? That’s why he doubled funding for Pell grants, fought hard to stop student loan interest rates from rising, and worked to raise the standards in our K–12 schools so our students are prepared for college.

Got daughters? Malia and Sascha are two more reasons to vote Obama if you're female. Let's face it folks, Sasha and Malia are adorable.There's just something about young kids in the White House. Decisions that are made day in and day out in the White House have real consequences, sometimes for generations. Children help keep us keep grounded, and serve as Mother Nature's reality check. And the president is surrounded by a family of females, so he has a real window into how best to empower the women he is raising with Michelle.

Which candidate believes in our equality no matter where you start from? And let's face it, folks: where you end up pretty much depends on where you start. The fundamental American dream is that no matter who you are or how you started out, you can make a better life for yourself and your family if you’re willing to work for it.

Who will fight for our right to make our own health-care decisions? Thanks to the historic health-care reform he signed, insurance companies will have to provide access to preventive services like contraception and cancer screenings without a co-pay. And they’ll no longer be able to make us pay more for health insurance just because we’re women. Before health care reform, women were much more vulnerable than men to high health care costs. Before health care reform, simply being a woman was considered a preexisting condition. Insurance companies would regularly charge women nearly double for coverage, even when maternity care was not included.

According to Bernard Whitman, author of 52 Reasons to Vote Obama, Under the new provisions in the Affordable Care Act, women will have access to the care and family planning services they need, saving some women up to $600 annually, or about $18,000 during the course of a lifetime. More than 50 percent of women 18 to 34 say they've struggled to afford birth control.

Providing contraception coverage will also save employers money. The National Business Group on Health estimated that employers would pay 15 to 17 percent more not to provide coverage than they would to provide it, after accounting for both the direct medical costs of potentially unintended and unhealthy pregnancy and indirect costs such as employee absence and reduced productivity.

So, ladies, I get it. You like Romney for some reason: you're probably wealthy. You think "Tagg" was a cute name choice. You're a fan of dancing horses. Okay, actually, I'll admit it: if you're a female and voting Romney, I don't get it at all. We females know that money for weapons and congressman's salaries are not our priorities. Education, health care, and equality for females is good for our country. And only one candidate didn't need to call for a binder of women to get their opinions.

So think about stepping outside the box, ladies. I know I'll get some blowback from my dear conservative readers here. But we can keep it our little secret, ladies. You don't have to tell your husband or family. We'll keep it on the DL, if you must, your vote for Obama. But don't set America back. Don't set women back. A vote for Obama is a vote for women.

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Comments

melanie0866's picture

Eliska, I think this column took an incredible amount of courage to write. Here in Collin County, we live in a one-party state, in which it is open season on anyone with an opposing point of view. 100% of our elected officials are Republicans who also profess to be Christian and conservative. And if you say you don't agree, apparently it's OK to call you stupid, ignorant, or "thinking with your lady parts." WOW, is that ever insulting! Wake up, Collin County; there are intelligent, well-educated people who do not agree with the majority view here. We are entitled to be listened to, represented by our public officials, and not subjected to ugly personal attacks if we express our points of view.

truthNlove's picture

Melanie, I profess to be Christian and conservative. It is the secular liberals who do not value women. How could they? They have no moral foundation to draw from except what this world says is "right" regardless of how wrong it really is. I truly enjoy engaging with people of opposite worldviews. I would never inslut someone for having a different opinion. I recognize there are intelligent, well-educated people who do not agree with the majority. How dull would it be if we all agreed on everything? I value and respect all women both conservative and liberal, born and unborn. However, the feeling isn't always mutual and the ugly personal attacks you mentioned are frequently directed at conservatives like me. There is a common lie among the media elites and a large majority of liberals, that if you are a conservaitve Christian, you are "anti-woman". I would respectfully argue it is the opposite and it is the liberal agenda that is harmful to women. Just one conservative Christian male's opinion. Take care.

ldm082505's picture

The whole premise of this article is "if you're a woman, you should vote for Obama", correct? Please tell me how that's not thinking with your lady parts.

ldm082505's picture

Wow Eliska - As a woman, I'm not only offended by this article, but incredulous at your reasoning:

"You like Romney for some reason: you're probably wealthy. You think "Tagg" was a cute name choice. You're a fan of dancing horses."
"you could be educated to take the reins for yourself."
"Malia and Sascha are two more reasons to vote Obama if you're female. Let's face it folks, Sasha and Malia are adorable."

I have to "hope" that some of this was tongue-in-cheek. There's a lot more going on in this country, and a lot more to be concerned with, than my own personal interests as a woman. I want what's BEST for the country! The vast majority of the citizens are not any better off than they were 4 years ago, and most are far worse off. Why would anyone want to continue with things as bad as they are? I firmly believe Mitt Romney is fully capable of steering us in a better direction than that which Obama has dragged us into, in addition to supporting the needs of women.

Vote with your brain, not your lady parts.

TerryHamilton's picture

The country is doing much better, it takes more than 4 years to get out of the hole the last Administration put us in. Job are up, wars are down, and Collin County is doing better than most. Health care for those of us with health issues is on the line, equal pay for women is on the line, women's choices is on the line, keeping church and state divided is on the line and the chance that a very week candidate that only says what he is told and has no real views of his own is a possibility. This is not your Mom and Dad's Republican party. Think very carefully before you make a choice you might be very sorry you did. And for those of you good old Southerners that vote because of skin color, you might want to re-think your real motives.

truthNlove's picture

The country is doing much better, which is why unemployment is at the same level as it was when Obama took office and we are 16 TRILLION in debt. Jobs are up? ask the 22 MILLION unemployed people if they agree. Which "women's choices" are on the line? The "free" birth control that We The People are paying for? It sure isn't paid by the insurance companies. The only statement you made that was accurate was keeping church and state divided. I agree but for opposite reasons. I agree that the state should stay out of trampeling our First Freedoms by dictating how people of faith express and have always expressed their faith. Only an idiot would believe that "good old southerners" vote because of skin color. People of all color are racist and vote based on skin color. Just ask Obama's pastor for 20 years if he ever voted for a white guy! lol

Elevenfourteen's picture

Some people are trashing Obama... he has done more than any other
President before him and has an impressive list of "first" accomplishments:

First President to apply for college aid as a foreign student then deny he was a foreigner.

First President to have a social security number from a state he has never lived in.

First President to preside over a cut to the credit-rating of the United States .

First President to violate the War Powers Act. .

First President to be held in contempt of court for illegally obstructing oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico .

First President to require all Americans to purchase a product (health insurance) from a third Party.

First President to spend a trillion dollars on 'shovel-ready' jobs when there was no such thing as 'shovel-ready' jobs.

First President to abrogate bankruptcy law to turn over control of companies (including GM) to his union supporters.

First President to by-pass Congress and implement the Dream Act through executive fiat.

First President to order a secret amnesty program that stopped the deportation of illegal immigrants across the U.S. , including those with criminal convictions.

First President to demand a company (BP) hand-over $20 billion to one of his political appointees.

First President to tell a CEO of a major corporation (Chrysler) to resign.

First President to terminate America ’s ability to put a man in space.

First President to cancel the National Day of Prayer and to say that America is no longer a Christian nation.

First President to have a law signed by an auto-pen without being present.

First President to arbitrarily declare an existing law unconstitutional and refuse to enforce it.

First President to threaten insurance companies if they publicly spoke-out on the reasons for their rate increases.

First President to tell a major manufacturing company (Boeing) in which state it is allowed to locate a factory.

First President to file lawsuits against the states he swore an oath to protect (AZ, WI, OH,IN).

First President to withdraw an existing coal permit that had been properly issued years ago.

First President to actively try to bankrupt an American industry (coal).

First President to fire an inspector general of Ameri-Corps for catching one of his friends in a corruption case.

First President to appoint 26 czars to replace elected officials in his Office.

First President to surround himself with radical left wing anarchists.

First President to golf 73 separate times in his first two and a half years in office, 102 to date.

First President to hide his medical, educational and travel records.

First President to win a Nobel Peace Prize (in his second month in office) for doing NOTHING to earn it.

First President to go on multiple global apology tours and concurrent insult our friends tours.

First President to go on 17 lavish vacations, including date nights and Wednesday evening White House parties for his friends paid for by the Taxpayer.

First President to have 22 personal servants (taxpayer funded) for his wife.

First President to keep a dog trainer on retainer for $102,000 a year at taxpayer expense.

First President to repeat the Holy Quran & tell us the early morning call of the Azan (Islamic call to worship) is the most beautiful sound on earth.

First President to tell the military men and women that they should pay for their own private insurance because they volunteered to go to war and knew the consequences.

Then he was the First President to tell the members of the military that THEY were UNPATRIOTIC for balking at the last suggestion.

First President to declare that he has visited all but one of America 's 57 states.

First President to side with a foreign nation over one of the American 50 states ( Mexico vs. Arizona ).

With all those first, how could you not vote for him.

TerryHamilton's picture

Before you speak, check your facts, this really makes you look ignorant.

Woooster's picture

EC-
You are incredibly stupid, by voicing your opinion based on liberal media half truths and deceitfully expressing your support for Frank Marshall obama Davis as a supporter of women. Remove your head to a lighted area, if possible! To set you and the record straight females are paid less than men that have the same job description in Frank Marshall obama Davis cabinet! And you wonder why females are paid less! Vote Romney/Ryan.

BillSpizzirri's picture

Merriam Webster definition of stupid:

a : slow of mind
b : given to unintelligent decisions or acts : acting in an unintelligent or careless manner
c : lacking intelligence or reason

Ms. Counce merely expressed an opinion which last time I looked is still permitted based on our Constitution, which if I'm not mistaken is the tenet by which far right and Tea Party members claim is being taken hostage. I can also vouch that she is a highly intelligent woman. So I gather Wooster that if the opinion is not one that you agree with , then you counter with an insult. I suggest you pick up your ball and go home. Looking back at the 3 definitions provided, I think your comment fits the bill.

SaraC's picture

Preaching to the choir, sister! I was just telling hubby the same thing last night :)

Comments

melanie0866's picture

Eliska, I think this column took an incredible amount of courage to write. Here in Collin County, we live in a one-party state, in which it is open season on anyone with an opposing point of view. 100% of our elected officials are Republicans who also profess to be Christian and conservative. And if you say you don't agree, apparently it's OK to call you stupid, ignorant, or "thinking with your lady parts." WOW, is that ever insulting! Wake up, Collin County; there are intelligent, well-educated people who do not agree with the majority view here. We are entitled to be listened to, represented by our public officials, and not subjected to ugly personal attacks if we express our points of view.

truthNlove's picture

Melanie, I profess to be Christian and conservative. It is the secular liberals who do not value women. How could they? They have no moral foundation to draw from except what this world says is "right" regardless of how wrong it really is. I truly enjoy engaging with people of opposite worldviews. I would never inslut someone for having a different opinion. I recognize there are intelligent, well-educated people who do not agree with the majority. How dull would it be if we all agreed on everything? I value and respect all women both conservative and liberal, born and unborn. However, the feeling isn't always mutual and the ugly personal attacks you mentioned are frequently directed at conservatives like me. There is a common lie among the media elites and a large majority of liberals, that if you are a conservaitve Christian, you are "anti-woman". I would respectfully argue it is the opposite and it is the liberal agenda that is harmful to women. Just one conservative Christian male's opinion. Take care.

ldm082505's picture

The whole premise of this article is "if you're a woman, you should vote for Obama", correct? Please tell me how that's not thinking with your lady parts.

ldm082505's picture

Wow Eliska - As a woman, I'm not only offended by this article, but incredulous at your reasoning:

"You like Romney for some reason: you're probably wealthy. You think "Tagg" was a cute name choice. You're a fan of dancing horses."
"you could be educated to take the reins for yourself."
"Malia and Sascha are two more reasons to vote Obama if you're female. Let's face it folks, Sasha and Malia are adorable."

I have to "hope" that some of this was tongue-in-cheek. There's a lot more going on in this country, and a lot more to be concerned with, than my own personal interests as a woman. I want what's BEST for the country! The vast majority of the citizens are not any better off than they were 4 years ago, and most are far worse off. Why would anyone want to continue with things as bad as they are? I firmly believe Mitt Romney is fully capable of steering us in a better direction than that which Obama has dragged us into, in addition to supporting the needs of women.

Vote with your brain, not your lady parts.

TerryHamilton's picture

The country is doing much better, it takes more than 4 years to get out of the hole the last Administration put us in. Job are up, wars are down, and Collin County is doing better than most. Health care for those of us with health issues is on the line, equal pay for women is on the line, women's choices is on the line, keeping church and state divided is on the line and the chance that a very week candidate that only says what he is told and has no real views of his own is a possibility. This is not your Mom and Dad's Republican party. Think very carefully before you make a choice you might be very sorry you did. And for those of you good old Southerners that vote because of skin color, you might want to re-think your real motives.

truthNlove's picture

The country is doing much better, which is why unemployment is at the same level as it was when Obama took office and we are 16 TRILLION in debt. Jobs are up? ask the 22 MILLION unemployed people if they agree. Which "women's choices" are on the line? The "free" birth control that We The People are paying for? It sure isn't paid by the insurance companies. The only statement you made that was accurate was keeping church and state divided. I agree but for opposite reasons. I agree that the state should stay out of trampeling our First Freedoms by dictating how people of faith express and have always expressed their faith. Only an idiot would believe that "good old southerners" vote because of skin color. People of all color are racist and vote based on skin color. Just ask Obama's pastor for 20 years if he ever voted for a white guy! lol

Elevenfourteen's picture

Some people are trashing Obama... he has done more than any other
President before him and has an impressive list of "first" accomplishments:

First President to apply for college aid as a foreign student then deny he was a foreigner.

First President to have a social security number from a state he has never lived in.

First President to preside over a cut to the credit-rating of the United States .

First President to violate the War Powers Act. .

First President to be held in contempt of court for illegally obstructing oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico .

First President to require all Americans to purchase a product (health insurance) from a third Party.

First President to spend a trillion dollars on 'shovel-ready' jobs when there was no such thing as 'shovel-ready' jobs.

First President to abrogate bankruptcy law to turn over control of companies (including GM) to his union supporters.

First President to by-pass Congress and implement the Dream Act through executive fiat.

First President to order a secret amnesty program that stopped the deportation of illegal immigrants across the U.S. , including those with criminal convictions.

First President to demand a company (BP) hand-over $20 billion to one of his political appointees.

First President to tell a CEO of a major corporation (Chrysler) to resign.

First President to terminate America ’s ability to put a man in space.

First President to cancel the National Day of Prayer and to say that America is no longer a Christian nation.

First President to have a law signed by an auto-pen without being present.

First President to arbitrarily declare an existing law unconstitutional and refuse to enforce it.

First President to threaten insurance companies if they publicly spoke-out on the reasons for their rate increases.

First President to tell a major manufacturing company (Boeing) in which state it is allowed to locate a factory.

First President to file lawsuits against the states he swore an oath to protect (AZ, WI, OH,IN).

First President to withdraw an existing coal permit that had been properly issued years ago.

First President to actively try to bankrupt an American industry (coal).

First President to fire an inspector general of Ameri-Corps for catching one of his friends in a corruption case.

First President to appoint 26 czars to replace elected officials in his Office.

First President to surround himself with radical left wing anarchists.

First President to golf 73 separate times in his first two and a half years in office, 102 to date.

First President to hide his medical, educational and travel records.

First President to win a Nobel Peace Prize (in his second month in office) for doing NOTHING to earn it.

First President to go on multiple global apology tours and concurrent insult our friends tours.

First President to go on 17 lavish vacations, including date nights and Wednesday evening White House parties for his friends paid for by the Taxpayer.

First President to have 22 personal servants (taxpayer funded) for his wife.

First President to keep a dog trainer on retainer for $102,000 a year at taxpayer expense.

First President to repeat the Holy Quran & tell us the early morning call of the Azan (Islamic call to worship) is the most beautiful sound on earth.

First President to tell the military men and women that they should pay for their own private insurance because they volunteered to go to war and knew the consequences.

Then he was the First President to tell the members of the military that THEY were UNPATRIOTIC for balking at the last suggestion.

First President to declare that he has visited all but one of America 's 57 states.

First President to side with a foreign nation over one of the American 50 states ( Mexico vs. Arizona ).

With all those first, how could you not vote for him.

TerryHamilton's picture

Before you speak, check your facts, this really makes you look ignorant.

Woooster's picture

EC-
You are incredibly stupid, by voicing your opinion based on liberal media half truths and deceitfully expressing your support for Frank Marshall obama Davis as a supporter of women. Remove your head to a lighted area, if possible! To set you and the record straight females are paid less than men that have the same job description in Frank Marshall obama Davis cabinet! And you wonder why females are paid less! Vote Romney/Ryan.

BillSpizzirri's picture

Merriam Webster definition of stupid:

a : slow of mind
b : given to unintelligent decisions or acts : acting in an unintelligent or careless manner
c : lacking intelligence or reason

Ms. Counce merely expressed an opinion which last time I looked is still permitted based on our Constitution, which if I'm not mistaken is the tenet by which far right and Tea Party members claim is being taken hostage. I can also vouch that she is a highly intelligent woman. So I gather Wooster that if the opinion is not one that you agree with , then you counter with an insult. I suggest you pick up your ball and go home. Looking back at the 3 definitions provided, I think your comment fits the bill.

SaraC's picture

Preaching to the choir, sister! I was just telling hubby the same thing last night :)