I get a freebie, right?

I figure if I'm THIS pregnant, I get a freebie... a chance to mouth off without having to be careful to be PC about it?

Oh wait, this is my blog, I get to do that anyway.

So... this election... to be frank, I'm not happy with either candidate, I am dismayed with my choices. I was thinking I would be deciding based on who stood closest to my own personal key issues... that doesn't seem like it will work seeing as how I just don't like either one's stance. My latest hope with all the discussion about running mates is that I could choose based on the VP.

So, while I do think that Biden will appeal to those who weren't ready for McCain OR Obama, he doesn't sway my vote. I was REALLY hoping that McCain would choose someone I could really get behind, or at least tolerate.

Not so.

Ok, so the lady may look great for the republican party on paper... but I have a fundamental hang-up with her position on family values.

You know, family values, the watchword and song of the GOP, the reason why they can rally behind pro-life, anti-gay marriage, stiff sentences for drug dealers, etc...

I first heard she was a mother, and in fact one of her children was in the military headed for Iraq. I assumed that meant that her kids were grown, mommy days were over.

Nope. not so.

She has an infant.

A four month old infant.

Yes, I've seen the statement that she made about men being able to fill public office and watch their family grow and how women can do the same. And how her children won't be neglected and how her duties won't get shirked.

Oh How I disagree!

SOME duty WILL be shirked...either her political one or her mothering one.

I spent a horrible 18 months as a working mother. Every day was torture.
Please, understand that I realize not every mother can stay at home full time due to circumstances beyond her control. My own mom was a working mother, she was widow with three kids to support. And she did a bang-up job if I may say so myself. But that is not the issue here.
I was torn daily between my duty as a mom and my duty to the USA (I was active duty military). This was immediately post 9-11 and getting out early was simply out of the question (yes, I did actively look into it). Women are great multi-taskers, of course we are. I can even say that some women can probably do some jobs and do ok at both the job and the mothering. I would still say that it's not ideal, not with an infant. And I would also say that those would be jobs that can afford to be shirked a little if the family needs arise.

VP of the USA is probably not one of those type of part time jobs.

Mrs. Palin HAS a choice, she has a choice between her political career and her infant.

Here's my stance on it... if she's any kind of mother, she will end up being torn between family and political duty. If she's any kind of politician, she will have to choose the political duty "for the greater good" and all that jazz. Which may make her a good political figure, but a poor mother, and thus in my opinion, not someone I want leading me and being held up as a fine example.

To be honest, I haven't even looked closely at her official political views. I just can't get past this whole mother of a young baby thing. How terribly old fashioned of me, I know. And yes, I KNOW that I am blessed beyond measure with my little white-picket-fence life and my husband who amply provides for us. Don't get me wrong... I didn't say that staying home and mothering full-time is easy... merely that it is right; that by having a child, you just created a duty and responsibility for yourself that supercedes all others.

You know what else bothers me? And again, I must admit I haven't had extensive conversations yet about this, but for the most part, the conservatives I've talked to are pretty happy with this choice. I'm a little perturbed about that. Sacrificing the raising of your kids for the good of the party constitutes good family values?

Blech.