The Glass Ceiling and Iowa Politics
by 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.)
Blog For Iowa 
I just read this post Linda… fantastic comments.
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I grew up fairly close to the Missouri River. We knew the regularity of floods. And eventually, after the 1993 floods we had compassion coupled with future thinking so that much of the flood plain was purchased from private owners.
There's an old spoof…”If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.” Perhaps the mamma being referred to is Mother Nature. No one affected intimately by Hurricane Katrina can be happy.
Hurricanes are as regular as river flooding. Mother Nature brings snow storms and blizzards regularly to our northern states. Therefore we need Regular and On-Going Planning for nature-caused emergencies. We must have the good sense to maintain our readiness to help our national family wherever they live.
The question has arisen about what to call those who have lost family, homes, comfortability. Do we call them refugees? Dislocated? Displaced? What if we simply called them Americans and family?
with thanks………Joyce Schulte, Candidate for Congress
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