Presidential Race: Article on Women's Issues

Presidential Campaign Veers Back To Women's Issues, Mass. Health Law

Topics: Politics, Health Reform

Apr 13, 2012

Obama and Romney campaigns are getting tangled in questions about women's life choices. But at the same time, Democrats are seeking to use the sixth anniversary of Romney's Massachusetts health law signing to remind voters about its similarities to the federal health overhaul.
The Associated Press/Washington Post: The Race: War Fever Over Religion, Women And The High Court Enlivens U.S. Presidential Race
Everywhere you turn in politics a war is raging -- at least of words. Republicans say President Barack Obama is pursuing wars on religion and the Supreme Court. Democrats counter that Republicans are waging a war on women. And now Republicans are accusing Democrats of mounting an offensive against women (4/12).
Los Angeles Times: Larger Women's Issues Loom Over Romney Campaign
While the campaigns tangled this week over ancillary issues like whether Romney was using a fair statistic to describe job losses among women during Obama's presidency, or the stances of several of his female surrogates on controversial issues like transvaginal ultrasounds for women seeking abortions, the more crucial question is what the toll has been of his sometimes harsh rhetoric on issues of concern to moderate women, like budget priorities, immigration and the nation's social safety net (Reston, 4/12).
National Journal: Romney's Successor Ties Him To Health Care Law On Signing Anniversary
On the sixth anniversary of the signing of Massachusetts's health care reform law, Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick did not pass up an opportunity to tie Mitt Romney's name to the controversial measure. Patrick said on Thursday that Romney, who was governor when the law passed, played an important role in its development and should be "proud" of the large coalition of Democratic, labor and business leaders that made the legislation a reality. But more than just signing the bill, Patrick said Romney created one of the law's key tenants: the now-infamous mandate (Vasilogambros, 4/12).
The Hill (Video): Gov. Patrick: Romney's Contribution To Mass. Health Care Law Was 'Individual Mandate'
The Obama team attempted to use the anniversary of Massachusetts' healthcare reform law to link Mitt Romney to President Obama's controversial legislation. Obama's reelection campaign released a three-minute video Thursday portraying Romney as the inspiration behind the president's health care law. And Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) joined MSNBC's "Morning Joe" to tout the success of the state's legislation, which contains an individual mandate provision similar to Obama's national law (Sands, 4/12).
Boston Globe: Obama Campaign Video Accuses Mitt Romney Of Health Care Backtracking On Sixth Anniversary Of Massachusetts Law's Signing
Six years to the day after Mitt Romney signed Massachusetts' health care law, the Obama campaign released a video that serves as a sort of backhanded compliment, chiding the former governor for inconsistent statements about health care reform, even as it praises his work on the state law. The three-minute video features two men who helped craft both Romney's law and Obama's law vouching for similarities between the two and affirming Romney's belief in 2006 that Massachusetts' version could serve as a national model (Borchers, 4/12).
The Hill: Anti-Abortion Rights Groups Rally Behind Romney's Campaign
Two of the nation's leading anti-abortion-rights groups rallied behind Mitt Romney on Thursday following the exit of Rick Santorum from the presidential race. The Susan B. Anthony (SBA) List and the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) both endorsed Romney's candidacy, burnishing the former governor's credentials with conservatives. SBA had previously endorsed Santorum, while the NRLC had taken a wait-and-see approach out of fear of weakening the eventual nominee. Romney supported abortion rights during his 2002 campaign for governor, but has worked to convince Republicans he had a genuine change of heart in 2004 (Pecquet, 4/12).
And one Democrat says passing the health law -- politically, at least -- was probably not worth it --
Roll Call: Kentucky: John Yarmuth Says Health Care Law Probably Wasn't Worth Political Cost
Publicly meditating on the past is not a normal activity for vulnerable Members looking to get re-elected. But from his safe Louisville-based district, Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth (D) has the luxury of mulling about what could have been. In an interview with Roll Call on Wednesday, the three-term lawmaker was asked whether the Affordable Care Act — which will be a burden to Democrats for the second consecutive cycle — was worth the political cost. "Oh, politically? Politically?" Yarmuth paused for a moment. "Big picture, politically, it probably wasn't worth it. Policy-wise, it was worth it because it's going to move the country dramatically in the right direction," he said. "Even if it were to fail [at the Supreme Court], it's going to move the country dramatically in the right direction" (Miller, 4/12).

Women of the Arab Springs

(CNN) -- Last month, a delegation of members from the U.S. House of Representatives, which I was honored to lead, met with inspiring women of North Africa who are helping to change the world.

In Cairo, Egypt; Tunis, Tunisia; and Tripoli, Libya, we held discussions with women who are committed to ensuring that women have a seat at the table and are able to succeed in this rapidly changing and strategically important region. It is an uphill climb, but there is no better time than the present.

The women we met were outspoken in their belief that the new governments must be truly democratic, and that longstanding biases against full participation by women in their society must be abolished. These women came from many different backgrounds and viewpoints, yet they are aware that while their moment is now, the obstacles are great.

Nancy Pelosi

Some had participated in the massive Arab Spring demonstrations that challenged decades of autocratic rule. Others had studied in the United States and other countries and then returned to build a future where women's voices are equal to those of men. Some are already serving in government but spoke about a need for more women to serve and to lead in forming new democracies in the Middle East.

One message came through clearly in every discussion: They look to the United States as an essential partner in their efforts to build democratic societies.

Women journalists played a crucial role in the overthrow of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Women are already deeply involved in rebuilding the political and economic systems of their country. Although just 10 of more than 500 members of the new parliament are women, the signal we received is that Egyptian women are committed to expanding their influence and their ranks, and to ensuring that the constitution under development will fully protect the rights of women in Egypt.

Similarly in Tunisia, Deputy Speaker Mehrezia Labidi pledged to lead the effort for women's rights and secular law in her nation. Women already hold 26% of the seats in the Constituent Assembly, which is responsible for drafting Tunisia's Constitution.

The determination of Tunisian women has been demonstrated outside the legislative chambers as well. In the midst of unrest at the University of Manouba, a young woman watched outraged as a zealot tore down her country's flag, and she then courageously climbed the flagpole to restore the flag to its rightful place, winning the plaudits of her countrymen.

Fundamental to opening opportunities to women in public and private life is expanding their access to education. The young women with whom we met in Tripoli were unanimous in their belief that improving the quality of education for all Libyans is essential to the success of their revolution and the modernization of their country, particularly in light of the utter failure of the nation's secondary schools and universities under Moammar Gadhafi.

What I heard from the women of North Africa was a refrain I have also heard in Iraq and Afghanistan and throughout the Middle East: Women and young people are weary of war. They are fed up with leaders who use ideology, religion and war to distract from the real challenges to peace, prosperity and democracy: a lack of education, a failure to provide jobs and economic opportunity, and the subjugation of women. They employed social media such as Facebook and Twitter to circumvent the repression imposed for decades by autocratic regimes and demonstrated astonishing bravery to liberate their countries from tyranny.

They have succeeded in that first phase: Gadhafi, Mubarak and Tunisia's Zine el Abidine Ben Ali are gone. These young women are under no illusions about the challenges they face. They are deeply committed to building democratic societies, and they are looking to us. We cannot fail them.

Leaders throughout North Africa and the Middle East must honor the role women played in freeing their countries: All their citizens -- including women -- have important contributions to make at this historic moment. That is a lesson it has taken the United States many generations to learn, but it is surely one of the most important pieces of wisdom we can share with developing democracies around the world.

Wold Wars

I remember history classes in high school and the chapter i remember the most about is always the discussion about World War 1 and 2. So while we reviewed over the chapter we read in class, i felt like i knew everything backwards and forwards. From knowing the causes of world war 1: 1. alliances, 2. empire, and 3. the industry; to how this war was fought. Sad to me that our world seems to always come down to fighting. Whether it came down to the genocides or who could threaten to destroy which world first with nuclear bombs, it still to this day seems like we haven't learned our lesson of great loss.  Loss of loved ones, loss of money, and loss of years of fighting when we could be growing stronger as a country.
To me war can be avoided. World war 2 could have definitely been avoided in my opinion. Because of the resentment that Germany had towards the treaty of versatile and how they got short handed, i feel like that was a main cause in their motivation to get revenge, which brought forth WW2.
All in all, i feel like the most remorse for the victims of the Holocaust. It gets to me every time yet i am always so interested to learn more about it every time. After taking a trip to the Holocaust museum in LA, i found myself in a new realization for how lucky i am as an individual today. But to think that one country could truly do that to that race of individuals is just heart breaking to me every time.

Chapter 18

The Industrial Revolution!


*Around the 1800's, changes in agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation were occurring. Especially in technology, the industrial revolution seemed to have a big effect on the social and cultural economy.
*This specific revolution grew rapidly in technological innovations which lead them to increasing amounts of goods and services. As it started in Europe and spread through north america and japan, this revolution really discovered new sources of energy. 
*Coal was used for steam engines which later continues to fuel engines. This innovation became huge when it started in Britain. Steam power was used to help in textile factories and expand them much better.
*Because of these expansions of bettering the way people could travel, it increased to the way goods could travel as well. Due to this, trade routes developed. (canals, railroads, and even improved roads)
*This breakthrough provided an almost limited source of power that manual labor couldn't come close to reaching it. It eventually spread to the iron and steel productions creating even more innovative machineries.
*Three main innovations: Textile, Steam power, and Iron Making


Adam Smith: Hand of Invisibility Theory 
   Adam Smith's theory dealt with the soul fact to describe the self regulating nature of the market place. His metaphor was a pure thought of a true economist (in my eyes). This idea was to maximize their own gains in a free market and also to benefit individuals in a society.

Chapter 17

In Chapter 17, the main topic being discussed as I read it was the explantion of revolutions throughout the world in different countries. Last chapter I really understood when it came to peoples growth of knowledge with science and religion. It made sense to me how people started questioning the way things were and why they had to constantly do what was being told to them. So surely there had to be a so called "change" coming. Or a relvolution!
*I never really knew much of the Hatian Revolution, let a lone it was a country until a disaster struck it severly. But it was interesting to learn that it was a very successful. Revolting slaes went down in history as it disrupted the boundries of other countries across europe. This revoltuion made a statement and brought even more change to the Atlantic Wold. Revolutions began mto occur in North America, France and even Latin America. The Atlantic world had become known intellectually and culturally as their ideas grew more and more from the growth of the European Enlightenment. The main reason for these revolutions in the first place were due to politics and social dissagreements that were to hopefully be fanned out and resolved by humans themselves and their actions.
*As the revolution in France took place, there were three "estates" (as they called it) or "legal orders" that were set in France. 1.) the clergy 2.)the nobility and 3.) the commoners. Each holding their own representative. Since the 3rd estate was 98% larger than the others, they decided to organize themselves as the National Assembly. Meaning they were to make the laws of the country.
*During this time, this french revolution trickled down to north america. Or as Strayer called it..an "Echoe"
North American and Hatians copied much of what was being changed in france but the difference with them was that the members of the nobility were that they were privileged and wealthy. Many resisited the monarchy's efforts to change their ways of how they paid taxes.

Chapter 16

(pg. 461-477)
Religion and Science

*Christianity:
-At first it was understandable to read that many people questioned Christianity and its global presence in their lives because of how the way the church was abusing their powers. Well that's how i saw it anyways.
The cultural transformation seemed to bring together many distant people, while making people consider that science may becoming a new "religion" as well. Only for the fact that people were seeing it become apart of the global modernity.
-The globalization of Christianity mostly started in Europe. Starting in small countries like Egypt, southern India, ect. Around 1517, the protestant reformation occur ed, shattering the unity of the churches. A main critic of the Roman church was Martin Luther, who stated his 95 Theses. This debated the views and ethics of what the church brought to its people of Europe. It argued a new understanding of salvation through faith alone rather than good works. His beliefs preached that it was more about the preachings of the Bible, not the church having its ultimate authority.
-Martin Luther caused many problems with his Protestant reformation. Although it questioned the roles of the hierarchy (like the pope), I agree in a way with how Luther felt back then. His issues where right when it came to stating that the church was abusing their position. Many were attracted to the new religious ideas as a tool for protest against the whole social order while they also realized the unfairness that was occurring between the commoners and the church.
-While women had NO rights, they seemed to be attracted to the Protestantism even though the reformation didn't give the a greater role as well. The protestants ended the variations of saints (female) but left the sole Christ figure as the object of worship.
-The Bible also was seen to be interpreted differently between the Catholic and the Protestants:
Catholic: *Priests could only interpret. People couldn't even understand the other languages. (So you knows what was being preached was right or wrong...?)
Protestant: *When they preached or when the individual read the bible, they believed that anyone could interpret what was being preached and read.
*Christianity Outward Bound
-As Christianity motivated and benefited during the European expansion, many countries took part in what they saw as a continuation of a crusading tradition. Thanks to the growth of imperialism, globalization of Christianity was made possible.
-Mainly in Spanish America and the Philippines, missionaries were most successful. But as they tried to expand to other countries across Europe, many denied and resisted Christianity. (Confucians, Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims)
-Due to the conquest, population collapse and resettlement, Native Americans as well as some Asian countries seemed to really want to grasp the concept of religion and understand it. Conversions between certain traditions and rituals started to combine with Christianity influence.

page (477-488)
-The scientific revolution was a huge transformation that happened between the 16th century and 18th century. This revolution was based on what science is always known for; observations, experiments, and general formulations to explain the wonders of the world. During this time, human existence was questioned within the cosmos, the teachings and authority of the church and the political system were severely challenged and questioned.
-Science had definitely become the main symbol of modernity.
-As Europe expanded favorably in the field of science, but so did other countries: the Islamic world was the most scientifically advanced, China was technologically accomplished. The growth of a legal system for independence occur ed (12-13th century) and the idea of the "corporation" was being declared.
     *Corporation: collective group treated as a legal unit with certain rights
-Universities started to emerge during this time as well. This institute of intelligence gave people a place to study and question the natural order like the separation between philosophy and theology.
-As science grew so did the cultural aspect combined with it. The ideas of early philosophers (ex. Aristotle) were grasped by educated Europeans and expanded.
* Ex: Nicolaus Copernicus huge break through of our central universe was that he promoted the view that the earth and the planets revolved around the sun. Some also argued that their might also be alternate universes out there, not just ours.
*Ex: Another scientist that it well known today, was Sir Issac Newton and his revelation on the laws of motion and gravity. While views between science and religion differed constantly, many early scientists still had strong religious beliefs.

The Enlightenment & Handout:
-the scientific revolution gradually reached a wider European audience while developing Smith's laws of economics. People believed that scientific development would bring "enlightenment" to humankind.
-Immanuel Kant defined Enlightenment as a “daring to know”. These enlightenment thinkers believed that knowledge could transform human societies.
   *Enlightenment: a man's release from his self-incurred tutelage. Meaning that it's a man's inability to make use of the understandings without direction from another to find man's own reasoning for whats being discovered. (handout).
-John Locke had ideas of constitutional government while many writers started to advocate education for women.
-Unfortunately, much elightenment thoughts started to attack established religions. Some even started to even question if what was being preached in the bible was real.
-In the 19th century, science was applied to many new inquiries, where in some ways it started to undermined enlightenment assumptions. Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, and Sigmund Freud came to surface over time with many ideas shattering the traditional views of religion and what people use to truly believe.
-Many cultures were borrowing ideas and mixing them together with beliefs of their own to start. Sometimes turning out to be good, but other times causing serious conflicts.  Cultures saw this to be a supression of the original culture. Why change or fix something if it was never really broken?

Sweet Nexus: Sugar and the Origins of the Modern World

While Empires expanded and took over lands all around them, they were also discovering different products and substances. With the exchange of goods and resources betweeen countries there was one specific that stood out the most to Europeans, Sugar.

Sugar was highly invigerating to many europeans back in the 1600's. Some believed it to be a drug because of it's addicting attributes and complete want for the substance. The fact that it was being regulated between societies shows how important they saw this resource as. While finding it in the Meditteranean islands, sugar was first only common anog the rich but later spread to the lower classes.
As this led to the rival of the British and French, trade became a game between them.

It's funny to think that something so common and used so much today was hassled and fought over back then, really makes you think of the value of what things use to be. It's sad to think that Europeans had to expose something so precious to Caribbeans for their own benefit and gains. ($$$)