I know what many of you are thinking, “So what?! It doesn’t have anything to do with me.” Ah, but it does. In the 60s and 70s, feminists proclaimed the personal is political.
The phrase was used to emphasize what was happening in women’s personal lives: access to health care, domestic violence, rape, work outside of the home and still primarily responsible for the home and children, access to sports opportunities, and more.
Do some of these issues sound familiar? They should because they are still just as important to women. However, they are also important to women’s families, their husbands, fathers, sons, daughters, and friends.
What is going on in your life, or a friend’s life, that could be made easier, healthier, or more financially secure if there was better support at the state or federal levels? Today, only 26 states mandate that insurance companies provide equitable coverage for contraceptives. Just today, the New York Times has a story in the health section about contraception not being covered by insurance plans, yet, yet, Viagra is. And this is just one issue in health care. What about rising costs, companies cutting back on coverage, and insurance companies denying coverage? The personal is political!
And, what about education? Many of you students expect to leave Lyndon State and teach? Or, what about the quality of education that your students, children, nieces and nephews will receive? Are our schools underfunded? Are teachers fully prepared to teach? Are teachers expected to address issues in the classroom for which they are not prepared such as behavioral problems? Are our community tax dollars being well spent at our schools? What is the community’s obligation, or what are parental obligations toward educating students? The personal is political!
Even though today is Super Tuesday, when decisions could be made about who continues the race for the White House or not, Vermont’s primary is not until March 4, a long 4 weeks away. You still have time to think about what is important to you, learn about the candidates that support your values and beliefs, and go vote!
You might want to check out some of these sites:
NY Times “Election Guide”
Compare the candidates on various election 2008 issues.
Vote 411
A non-partisan site providing information at the state level for absentee voting, election dates, voter registration, voting machines, eligibility requirements, and mroe.
Campaign U.
Links to articles focusing on the 2008 elections as they affect students, colleges, and higher education policy.
Indecision 2008
From Comedy Central, find video clips, interviews, a political news blog, and other campaign coverage.
FactCheck
Evaluates the accuracy of campaign claims.
There are also books in the library that are by or about some of the candidates. Stop and ask the reference staff for assistance to locate these books or other resources to help you make a decision during the next few weeks!
GO VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!
