Double Standard

It really seems to me that there is a double (higher) standard for women in politics. This is not surprising since society has always held women to a double standard. Imagine if Hillary had run for President 4 years ago--everyone would have complained that she didn't have the experience to be commander-and-chief. She waited and her experience was used against her. While I have many legitimate issues where I can disagree with Sarah Palin, I think that it is an aspect of our sexist society to focus on her lack of experience for VP, when one of the male Presidential candidates has an equal lack of experience. If we can overlook the issue of experience for men running for President, why can't we overlook it for a woman running for VP? Can't she hire good advisers too, if she should happen to become President.
I am sensing in many feminists a self righteous about how women must behave. Women are not monolithic. We are diverse. We are Democrats, we are Republicans, we are liberal, we are conservative, we are atheists, we are evangelicals, we are animal rights activists, and we are hunters. We have a common bond though-- we all live in a sexist society where we are second class citizens. Some of us are more aware of this and fight to help ourselves, our sisters and our daughters. Many still live on bound by sexist preconceptions. They are still women. Our anger at their lack of consciousness should not be greater than that which we would level against a man, but less. They too are suffering from a sexist society.
We all know abstinence only doesn't work, but let's not place a spotlight on a child that has made a mistake. Let us focus on the issues!I respect Palin's right to chose to have a child with Down's Syndrome, as I wish that she would respect the rights of other women to make their own choices. If we are truly about choice, then women have the right to choose to not have an abortion.
I know many feminists are concerned about the Supreme Court and numerous other issues where most of us disagree vehemently with right wing Republicans like Sarah Palin. Let's focus our arguments on these issues. Let's be careful that we aren't applying a higher standard to Palin because she is a woman. While women are more critical of women who they disagree with than men who they disagree with, can we really expect men to treat us equally? We must speak up against sexism where ever it occurs, even sexism against those we disagree with.