A Vote for Obama, A Vote to Protect My Gals

Aunt Marji and her Gals...

The Republican Party Presidential ticket will not receive my vote. As a woman who wants my nieces to live in a world where they are not held back because they were born with a uterus, it is my duty to protect them by voting pro-women.

When the Republican Party returns to the way it treated women in the 80s and early 90s, they will regain my vote.

While they support politicians who want to force a woman (rather than letting her choose) to give birth to a child of a rapist, to the child of an incestuous relationship, or a child that will endanger her life (against the beliefs of over 75% of the American public), they will not receive my vote.

While they support a violent criminal in his desire to have rights to the child he fathered through rape, they will not receive my vote (law in over 30 American states, including NC and VA).

While they belittle a woman who's been sexually assaulted by telling her she should be more aware of her surroundings, that she should not go into bars, that she brought a violent and predatory attack on herself (while the assailant only received a slap on the wrist), they will not receive my vote.

While an elected official believes a woman who's been 'legitimately' raped will not become pregnant, they will not receive my vote.

While members of the GOP convene to discuss a woman's right to affordable birth control without allowing a single woman to speak, they will not receive my vote.

While an elected official tries to pass a law that condemns a doctor to death for performing an abortion on the victim of a rape, they will not receive my vote.

While a woman who testifies for affordable birth control for a lesbian who needs it to prevent life threatening ovarian cysts is called a slut, they will not receive my vote.

While members of the South Dakota GOP try to force women who want an abortion to attend mandatory counseling at a crisis pregnancy center that is run by anti-abortion activists and does not employ a single medical professional on staff, they will not receive my vote.

While Representative Lisa Brown is barred from the Michigan State House for using the anatomical term, vagina, they will not receive my vote.

While Republican women, like Phyllis Schafly, assert that spousal rape does not exist because a husband is allowed, by law, to have sex with his wife whenever, wherever, and however he wants, regardless of her wishes, they will not receive my vote.

While a Wisconsin Senator is comfortable proposing laws stating that single mothers are the leading cause of child abuse and neglect, they will not receive my vote.

While Schafly supports this idea, stating, "Single motherhood is the biggest cause of social ills today, and harms kids more than anything else", they will not receive my vote.

While former presidential candidate Rick Santorum accuses single mothers of "breeding criminals", they will not receive my vote.

While Senator Grothman of Wisconsin asserts, "money is more important for men. I think a guy in their first job, maybe because they expect to be a breadwinner someday, may be a little more money-conscious," they will not receive my vote.

I agree that the economy is horrible. I loathe that I have to think about whether or not I can afford to fill my entire tank, or whether I should just go for enough to get me back and forth to work for the day. I hate that I never know if my classes will "make" because the cost of tuition and textbooks are so expensive students may not be able to afford their education.

However, as much as I hate the economy and the lack of economic gain and upward momentum... it does not touch my disgust with the way a large portion of the Republican Party has decided to treat me and every other American woman. I am mortified, horrified, embarrassed and appalled by the actions of this fringe group who has overtaken the GOP.

I am baffled that such a once amazing group of Americans has let a bunch of misogynistic fools destroy their integrity.

Worst of all... I am terrified that, unless these people are stopped, be it by independents like me, Democrats like many of my friends, or moderate Republicans like many of my relatives, we will find our beautiful country firmly planted in 1812 rather than 2012.

So, my dear Republican family, friends and fans, if you want my vote, then get these fools in line. I completely concur that the cost of current essential goods are sky high, that the employment market and housing markets are bleak, and that Wall Street’s ups and downs show a recession at its worst; however, these costs, while high, do NOT touch the value of our daughters’ freedom and equality. To me, that’s priceless.

My Nieces, Marina and Josie, are the main reason I will not vote Republican in 2012.