Charging Women for Rape Exam

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I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Wasilla charged women for their own rape exams while Sarah Palin was the mayor - but really, come on people! Sarah Palin's taking the Republican VP platform should demonstrate that women can be strong leaders - yet she's not strong enough to stand up against a policy that discriminates against her own sex? Of course, there is no public record that shows she knew of such a policy, in which case I wonder how ill-informed she really IS.

This is an issue of money as much as it is about sexism - how is Palin going to spend tax-payers' money if she WOULD be in the position of president? This is just one small example, but it seems to me that Palin is not concerned on spending money that to help minorities, or to help with any social causes except those defined by her narrow religious perspective (which causes would be to prevent gays from getting married and to make sure no one has sex before they get married!)

In many ways I admire Palin, and to be honest, I would love to see a woman in the position of president. Just not her. I want a woman that will do something for other women besides charge them for their own rape exams. A woman who doesn't have to be part of the "good old boys" club in order to get on the platform. All the things that the media has honed in on - her hockey-mom status, her moosehunting hobby - are things that make her stand out because she is so rough and tough like one of the guys.

A college woman who I heard interviewed on NPR said it best: "I see it as a sign of progress that Sarah Palin is nominated to be VP. After all, there have been a lot of underqualified men out there who have had positions of power, so if we have a woman with her low qualifications, at least we're making progress!" (paraphrased) Although I don't agree with Sarah Palin's political views, I do admire her willingness to step up to the challenge. I hope that someday we will have a qualified woman candidate who holds more similar views to mine that I can stand behind.