The Glass Ceiling and Iowa Politicsby Megan Strader, Mason City, Iowa (KIMT)
[Blog for Iowa editorial comments appear in RED.]
Iowa has a reputation as a political powerhouse. That's mostly due to being the host of the nation's first Presidential Caucus. And that distinction is one reason why some local female lawmakers are surprised that the state has never seen a female governor or elected a woman to the US House or Senate.
Iowa Senator Amanda Ragan tells KIMT Newschannel Three, "They [they?] have just as good of a grasp on issues, health care, education and jobs. I mean, there's nothing that women can't do." [Except *** standing up, which is of course, why women are not qualified to hold high office in Iowa.]
The same thought is echoing through the thoughts of other women who help shape our state.
Iowa Representative Linda Upmeyer adds, "Ideally you'd like to have about the same balance you have in the general population which would be around half." [Yeah, and Bush will be impeached for treason before Iowa will see THAT kind of balance of power.]
And the shock of the statistic isn't only being felt by lawmakers. We talked to many people in the area today and all had the same thing to say; they can't believe Iowa has never produced a high ranking female politician. [No, but we can produce a DLC chair - don't forget that little claim to shame.]
Richard Paxson tells KIMT Newschannel Three, "I think we have a strong tradition in Iowa of valuing contributions from persons regardless of whether they're male or female." [But especially if they're male.]
Bonnie Ames adds, "We have some very competent women in the lower government offices and we really need women to run for these [higher] offices." [Well, you know, over here in the "Great" 5th District, we had a fabulous woman by the name of Joyce Schulte run for Congress against that shameful, embarrassing neo-con, Steve King. Joyce is completely qualified and is a great people person to boot . . . and the "man" still won.]
But everyone we spoke with is also confident that an Iowa woman will eventually get her turn. [When? In 2050? I'll bet Hillary will be president before Iowa gets a woman in Washington. That's sort of like hell freezing over, isn't it?]
Senator Ragan notes, "I think that if a lot of women could see that they can make a difference, they would make that step." [I think a lot of women ARE making a difference - it's just not in the cushy, good-paying, high-profile jobs. It's in the jobs where the work actually gets done, as usual.]
A step in a politically progressive direction. [Sigh.]
(Click here to read the source article.)
