“And the big mistake
of modern media has been this notion of balance for balance’s sake. That the
Left is just as violent and cruel as the Right…There’s a difference between a
mad man and a madman.”
Amen, Bill, amen!
Providing balanced
statements in the news cast doesn’t mean the statements are actually true; they
are often alleged statements of ‘type’ to show the balance of the newscaster.
Example: a Democrat strategist claimed Mrs. Romney hadn’t worked outside the
home ever in her life and thus was not qualified to make policy statements
about economics or the suffering of middle class working moms.
What was reported by the networks was not the statement
above. They reported that a political gulf existed between working moms and
stay at home moms. And then let the political games play out!
If it is true that Mrs. Romney has never held a job outside
the home, then she may have little qualification to speak to the condition of
working moms unless she is a researcher in the field, or a professional
economist. Those qualifications have not been shared with the public.
No one denies that a homemaker’s task is heavy to perform.
No one denies that homemakers make important decisions. But you wouldn’t know
that from media reports.
Working moms do both: homemaking and wage making. They split
their time and attention between two loyalties of enormous consequence. They do
this in order for their families to live as well as possible, including making
higher education opportunities available for their kids if and when they wish
to take advantage of them. Two incomes per household are also the new norm to
pay for medical care and prepare for retirement.
A ‘Working Mom’ is also a personal mandate for some women.
They need to work to fulfill their intellectual and talented inner selves. This
is deeply personal and unique among each person.
No; this is not about a political divide among stay at home
moms or working moms. Both are critically valuable to our society. However,
working outside the home exposes the career woman to economic and cultural
complexities that inform her of policy modes and appropriateness.
Mrs. Romney doesn’t have that background. Perhaps more
telling, Mrs. Romney comes from wealth and has lived in wealth her entire adult
life. Four homes to decide among in which to live for a week or month or
season. Two Cadillacs to choose among for the trip to the grocery store. Or
which staff person in the household should be told to pick up the groceries in
the first place. Unemployment? Of whom? The maid or a neighbor? How does this
inform Mrs. Romney of economic policy that needs her husband’s attention?
Sorry. It does not compute. Mrs. Romney is a stay at home
mom. Fine. Good. Bless her situation which allows her to do so. But economic
hardship is not one of the conditions she is battling. Many stay at home moms do
battle the economic uncertainties so they can stay home to nurture their
family. And those moms who do both? They deserve our undying admiration – even
adoration! – for doing both so well. It is an enormous challenge. Not one most
would want to do. But life presses this upon them.
So if a political fight is to be had over the role of women,
let it be along income levels, not work assignments.
Shame on the media for misreporting this item in the first
place. Shame on them for sparking a false discussion.
Thanks to Bill Maher for helping us keep our eyes open in
the first place.
April 16, 2012
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