are y'all better off than you were 4 years ago ?

[kathyinmo]

Unfortunately, when we promote candidates because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, instead of their individual job QUALIFICATIONS, we are just as guilty as those who would deny public office based on the same characteristics.

Bias, either FOR or AGAINST races, women, etc., is the kind of thinking that got this country into the mess it's currently in. Instead of focusing on being politically correct, we need to try being rational and consider a person's experience and ability before electing them. When we do, then we'll finally stop discriminating for *real*.

Very well put. I totally agree with you.

 

[7 Biddies]

I actually started my career straight out of high school and worked for quite a few years before going back to school. I had built a fairly successful life but realized if I wanted to achieve more I needed to finish my education. I don’t give Obama all of the credit, I have worked very hard. But I did not do it alone by any means, it was a team effort. For example, I was able go to school with help from federal grants and student loans. I did the homework but I definitely didn’t do it all on my own. Another example, in my early work years when I didn’t have health insurance I relied on public health to offer medical service. My success was a team effort and I would never be so arrogant as to claim sole responsibility.

Those same educational opportunities are available to every American who wants them; some of us choose to take advantage of them, some don't. Of course, no one has ever done anything in isolation; there has to be an educational system in place for the opportunities to exist, and there has to be taxpayers to fill the federal coffers; it's the only source of income the feds have. So, the aid you and I received for school didn't come from the government, but from the hard working American people from whom they collected the taxes in the first place. Fortunately, the government was magnanimous enough to loan some of that money to you and I, so that we could further our educations. However, although the government aid was some my own tax dollars to begin with, I gave it all back when I paid off my student loans ... with interest.

When I heard opportunity knock, I, alone, opened the door, did all the hard work, spent long nights studying, and made sacrifices to get my degrees. No one did it for me. So, I'M taking ALL the credit for being responsible for advancing my future. If that's arrogant, so be it, but I refuse to be so naive as to believe that I couldn't have done it without Uncle Sam's help.

"In the end they will lay their freedom at our feet and say to us, 'Make us your slaves, but feed us.'" (Dosteovsky's Grand Inquisitor.)

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Those same educational opportunities are available to every American who wants them

This sounds nice in theory but is not actually true.

 

[7 Biddies]

Gabbard was not elected because she is female, Hindu or Asian. She was elected because she is qualified and pretty amazing.
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I'm relieved to hear that. Until now, the only thing that has been mentioned is gender, race, and religion. My point is that these should NOT be factors; should not even be mentioned as part of a person's vital statistics. Experience and qualifications should be the only considerations. Until they are, discrimination is alive and well.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

The automatic assumption that she was not is really the biggest problem.

 

[jettgirl24]

This sounds nice in theory but is not actually true.

ChickensRDinos is right. The very nature of capitalism necessitates the existence of an under class. Not everyone can be rich, powerful, and successful in a capitalist system as there would be no one there to grease the gears so to speak. Every person who finds success has inevitably done so on the backs of other people - whether it's people in this country or people participating in the global economy. I am not saying we should look down upon those who are successful, but if we find success we need to be aware of how we got there and appreciate the privileges we have received. We have every right to be proud of the hard work we've put in and give ourselves part of the credit. However if we want to be good citizens we also need to give credit those who have helped us achieve our goals AND we have a responsibility to contribute to the lives of those who make our success possible... Those in the lower rungs of the economic machine who are picking the vegetables that fill your dinner plate, cleaning your office when you go home at night, and working in factories soldering the microchips that allow you to get your work done. Without them the gears would come to a grinding halt and none of us would be successful.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

When our government reflects the actual diversity that is out there and REALLY looks at merit (Women on average tend to have higher IQ's, be more civicly involved, higher grades, enter college more often, and have better social and management skills than men) then I will stop celebrating when ever there is a woman or minority is elected. Women Are a little more than 50 percent of the population, and minorities are not as much of a minority as some people like to think. Yet most of our high positions are white Christian males.

When you see a disparity like that, then openly questioning an unspoken biased and celebrating when said biased is broken through is the only cure. We are no more broken socially than any other developed country. Our difference is, is we tend to talk about these issues more openly (IMO).

We need to openly recognize when someone new shows up in office. We need to normalize the concept that a wealthy person or politician isn't just old white christian and male. Which means there needs to be discussion, celebration, and recognition that discrimination doesn't go away in a single generation. The after affects last generations and ideas and views change slowly in a population. They don't change at all if it isn't discussed or brought to light.

No, I am not about to sweep these victories under the rug.

Lovely post. This are ideas that are not discussed enough. Access and representation and what it is like to grow up with neither - to not feel like those doors are open for anyone like you. We need trailblazers and they deserve a spotlight. Our children are watching and what they see from use dictates how high they dream.

 

[7 Biddies]

This sounds nice in theory but is not actually true.

Well, yeah, if your income is too high, you have to pay full freight. But, if you wish to think of the government as your "benefactor", be my guest.

 

[7 Biddies]

The automatic assumption that she was not is really the biggest problem.

When demographic info is the only thing that's mentioned, and kudos go out based on them, why would one assume anything else? How sad that experience and qualifications were totally overlooked; race, gender, and religion were the only criteria noted.

 

[KristyHall]

The automatic assumption that she was not is really the biggest problem.

I noticed that as well.