It's been said that women become involved in politics when they are invited to participate. Please consider this your invitation.
Today, at 1 p.m., Iowans from all walks of life will meet in school gyms, churches, community centers and household basements. They will gather to begin a very important process that too often gets lost in political punditry and campaign jockeying. At these small gatherings, individuals will be selected as delegates to county conventions and as precinct leaders for local central committees.
You can be one of those convention delegates. You can take an active role in your county. You can place your fears about politics being "too nasty" aside long enough to imagine a better way. Most importantly, by jumping into the fray at the local level, you will have a very real opportunity to manifest what you have imagined.
Recent events have taught us -- taught women a lesson. For far too long we have allowed men to hold a vocal majority in our local, state and national politics. They have primarily catered to their own historic interests of business, war and finance without sufficient tempering by women's historic interests in child welfare, equality and education. Without a doubt we have reaped what we have sown, and our next generation can look forward to the dismal harvest of our own inattention and lack of concern for anything other than the possibility of dirtying our hands in the soil.
Iowa politics at all levels not only needs but is screaming out for a groundswell of female participation. We see it in our existing budget crisis, and the mandates by our governor to cut costs across the board. Women, who have balanced grocery, Girl Scout troop and church budgets, are much better positioned by right of their hands-on experience to understand that such cuts not only adversely impact the most vulnerable, but have the potential of leading to further expenses in the long run.
When a woman is faced with an especially tight week financially and knows she must reduce household expenditures, does she automatically decide that despite a need to commute to work that she will cut the fuel expenses by 10 percent? Does she enter the grocery store and purchase 10 percent less fruits and vegetables so that she can continue to purchase 90 percent chips and soda?
While a state budget is much more complex than a grocery list or even a family budget, there are common sense approaches that apply. When funds are tight we seek out and purchase the best food available to nourish and strengthen our families. We do so because we understand that inadequate or junk foods can lead to disease, which can lead to further household expenditures.
When state leaders cut essential services -- education, child protection, emergency services, juvenile justice, health care -- they are feeding their citizens junk food that will eventually cost our state 10-fold more than the initial savings.
The fiscal realities at all levels of government are stark challenges that demand thoughtful debate and well-considered policy. There is no longer time for the luxury of partisan bickering or grandstanding. There is only time for sincere individuals from every section of our society to place their heads together in good faith to map out solutions.
It's time to understand that even if the worst of your fears in connection with personal political involvement manifested themselves, your situation would still not be as bad as what you are going to confront if you don't become more active.
Whether you more closely identify with
Democrats or
Republicans, there is location today where you can go, meet new people, see old friends, and begin a new journey. Spend an hour or two today at your precinct caucus. Spend the next week listing needs in your own community. Spend the next month identifying and befriending allies to address those challenges. Spend the next year making a difference.
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