The Hillary Dilemma: Does Sisterhood Trump Peace?

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/21/2003/

The Hillary Dilemma: Does Sisterhood Trump Peace?
by Gail Johnson

snip//


Returning to the discussion about the 2008 election, what positions will these factions take now? Equity feminists will have little problem supporting Hillary. They might not agree with her other positions (support of a bill making flag-burning illegal, her willingness to use nuclear weapons in Iran, or the Iraq invasion and occupation) but she is pro-choice. They see her victory in terms of symbolic impact. The believe a woman president shows that the doors to political office are open and will encourage more women to seek elected office.

Whether that is true, of course, is open to debate. It did not in England when Margaret Thatcher served as Prime Minister from 1979-1990. During her tenure, the percent of women in Parliament lingered at less than 10%. It was not until 1997 that there was a big jump to the 20% mark, where it remains. Still, it is slightly better than US, where women hold 16% of the Congressional seats. For equity feminists, it is worth supporting Hillary, even if the impact is uncertain.

The radical feminists, on the other hand, will easily dismiss Hillary’s candidacy. As the ultimate political insider, Hillary is the darling of the capitalist corporations such as WalMart and Fox News’ President Rupert Murdoch. They might also marginalize her as merely “Bill’s wife” and suggest that perhaps like Governor “Ma” Ferguson and hubby “Pa” of Texas in the 1920s, Bill and Hillary will share side-by-side desks.

Only the difference feminists face the dilemma of Hillary head-on. While Hillary has compassionately written that it takes a village to care for our children, she has not put her votes there. Instead, she has voted to spend billions on the illegal Iraq war and occupation, just like the guys. Perhaps she felt she had to be a warmonger to prove she is tough enough to lead. Women in politics face this double bind of being tough but not too tough. Perhaps if Hillary is elected, she will find her voice and redefine toughness as the strength to wage peace. That possible but I am not optimistic.

As a feminist, I want to see more women at the political tables wielding power. I would love to see a woman President in my lifetime. However, my support for women in politics reflects my desire for change. Rambo in high heels is not enough of a difference to gain my support.

I fully admit that my opposition to Hillary because of the Iraq war is a “one-issue” position, but then, so is voting for a woman just because she is a woman. Opposing Hillary, I risk being caricatured as Rush Limbaugh in drag. However, I am comforted knowing that I am in the great company of the late Molly Ivins, who also chose not to support Hillary.

The desire for peace trumps false sisterhood.

[glowing]

1. I completely agree... This is not the first woman I would be proud

to say is the 1st woman president.

[RufusTFirefly]

2. Excellent article

Gail Johnson is obviously either a Rove plant or a self-loathing woman though. There can be no other explanation.

[Larkspur]

3. I also oppose Hillary because she favors outsourcing of good paying jobs to India

Outsourcing hurts women as well as men.