If A Picture Paints....

There are many reasons to support one candidate or another. The big issue is of course the economy but firing policy is equally important and tied to the economy as with each war, more and more money is required.

Although I see a clear difference between Romney and Obama with both of these issues, the place the difference seems especially clear, and wide, are without a doubt, with social issues.

Women's issues (especially abortion) and gay issues(especially marriage) are far too often used in elections, a place they so don't belong. The division between Church and State seems to be left at the door when these issues can be used to further either candidate. Both abortion and gay marriage are important issues, but are so closely linked to religion and bible interpretations. People use one passage, one section of the bible, ignoring all the thousands of other sections about loving and caring, to further the agenda of another.

Romney got a lot of heat for his binder comment this week. Although I am sure he regrets it, I don't believe there was anything harmful intent when using this word. It was a poorly chosen clearly, but not as big a deal as many are making it.

Myself, I was quite surprised that people did not pick up on another word he used. A smaller word yes, but one much more powerful, and telling, in my opinion. A few sentences after the binder comment, Romney followed up with this:

'But number two, because I recognized that if you're going to have women in the workforce that sometimes you need to be more flexible. My chief of staff, for instance, had two kids that were still in school.'

Now maybe I am making too much of the word if, but... it struck me as a far better example of the Republicans ticket's feelings on women's rights than the word binder. Binder was a dumb mistake, if indicates a way of thinking. Why not just say 'Women' are in the workforce, or simply 'With' women in the workforce. If indicates there is a question about it, a choice. If indicates maybe women should or shouldn't be in the work place. Maybe... (if) we should go back to traditional family roles where the women had no choices, then dinner could get on that table no later than 6pm.

Traditional used to be a sweet word, one that was comforting and worthy of respect. When connected to values, traditional often means denying rights which in turn as we know, usually helps promote hate. Traditional is quickly becoming a rather frightening thought. It was once tradition for Americans to own slaves and women to have little to no rights....traditional like family picnics and apple pie, good times!