NEWS RELEASE: For press contact see www.momsrising.org/press
Governor Sarah Palin’s Office Refuses to Accept Letter from America’s Moms
MomsRising.org Attempts to Deliver Letter Asking Governor’s Positions
on Family-Friendly Issues
See pictures of the attempted delivery here
Fifteen DC-area moms and MomsRising.org Executive Director Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner were turned away this afternoon when they attempted to deliver a letter to Governor Sarah Palin asking her to share her positions on issues like health care, paid sick days and flexible work options. The group was attempting to deliver the letter to the State of Alaska office in Washington, DC.
The letter was signed by nearly 22,000 moms, dads and others from across the United States who would like to know what a McCain/Palin administration would do to support America’s families.
“We are extremely disappointed that we were not even allowed to deliver this letter today,” said Rowe-Finkbeiner. “Health care, paid sick days, paid family leave and afterschool programs are among the issues that are top-of-mind for many families. We were told that we need to mail in our letter and we’re going to do that. We are still counting on Governor Palin to respond to us. ”
The letter says in part:
“It was dazzling to see a mom on the stage at the Republican convention accepting the Vice Presidential nomination. There are too few mothers in the boardrooms and high levels of political office. As members of MomsRising.org we celebrate your path from PTA to Vice Presidential candidate, but we didn't hear much in your speech about what you and your party will do for mothers and families.
“… Our nation can’t afford to ignore the issues of mothers and families any longer. We want to know where you stand on the issues which are critical to mothers like healthcare, fair pay, paid family and medical leave, afterschool programs, childcare/early learning, paid sick days, and flexible work options.
“With now three-quarters of American mothers in the labor force, but a societal structure which hasn’t caught up to that modern reality, we, as a nation, are at a crisis point for our families. Bottom Line: Mothers want to ensure the well-being of their families. No mother should have to choose between taking care of a sick child and feeding her child. And no mother should have to choose between taking her child to the doctor and paying rent.
“Governor Palin, if elected Vice President of the United States, how will you support mothers and families?”
The full text is available on the MomsRising.org web site at www.momsrising.org. MomsRising.org will mail the letter to Governor Palin’s four regional offices, her Washington, DC office and McCain/Palin campaign offices.
The letter is part of MomsRising.org’s MomsVote ’08 effort, which includes Get-Out-the-Vote activities, debate watches, voter registration and educating the candidates about issues that matter to America’s families, like paid family leave, flexible work options, afterschool programs, health care for all children and affordable child care.
WHY PALIN? The reason why the letter was sent to Gov. Palin and not Sen. Biden is that the Biden/Obama campaign has very directly spoken in support of the central issues of MomsRising in his Presidential nomination acceptance speech. However, MomsRising members have yet to hear where the McCain/Palin ticket stands on those same issues. MomsRising members are tracking where candidates stand on the issues through our Candidate Bingo Project and will continue to do so in the upcoming debates. All candidates--female, male, Democrat, Republican, and other--should speak to the issues of America's families.
UPDATE: Thanks everyone for your comments. MomsRising has delivered petitions, letters, baby onesies, personal stories, and other public communications from our membership to dozens of other public officials across the country and in Washington, DC. These offices are paid for with public money, and are open to the public. This is the first time any public official's office has refused to accept any materials from our members.
As Governor Palin's staff suggested, we will mail the letter and nearly 22,000 signatures to their D.C. office. We'll also mail the package to Governor Palin's other offices.
We eagerly anticipate the Vice Presidential Debate, where we hope both candidates will have the opportunity to address these issues.
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Why the victimization?
First, let me say that I think it is very commendable that you ladies are working for women and children. BUT, I don't agree with your stance on Governor Palin. There are procedures and rules for contacting any politician. The only reason this issue became so huge is because Governor Palin is conservative and not liberal. If she were pro abortion among other things then there would have been no problem. Why is it that you must act like some kind of victim? There is a mind set in our society today that is not healthy. Everyone is owed and everyone is a victim. I am all for helping those who cannot truly help themselves such as children, the disabled and sick. BUT, to constantly hear the whining from different "groups" about what their "group" has been through or goes through is childish. Life is hard and everyone has had difficult times. Please encourage the women you serve to not see themselves as victims. This blown out of proportion situation with Governor Palin is another, "We've been wronged"! outcry. Well, we all have been wronged. Is this a democratic/liberal site or is it truly a place serving the best interests of mothers? My husband and I are business owners. We get tired of being trashed around in society as evildoers because he was able and willing to break his neck and run his own business. No, we didn't have family money to start it with either. Even on that note, we don't waste our time demanding justice for the attitudes in this society. What a waste of life. Governor Palin is an example of an excellent and loving mother, a smart and successful civil servant and a very hard worker. She is a great role model for women. She did not parade her children around on the electoral circuit. She and her family are close and did not want to be parted for all of those months. The public wanted to see her family. I don't see any kind of crime in it at all. She didn't abort Trig, she kept him and loves him. Her choice is rare and is all I need to know about what kind of mother she is in private. Whatever choices any mother makes about her lifestyle are not for others to judge unless a child is in danger or abused. This is certainly NOT the case for the Palin children. I find it really sad that you chimed in with the mainstream media in their daily lashing of Governor Palin. You should support her. She is a woman and a mother like you. Instead, you obviously just trusted the Obama campaign without question. Is that always wise? All politicians should be asked the same questions and answers should be given. We will never know what Governor Palin would have done if elected. I am positive that children would have been a priority. You forget, one of her platforms was special needs children. I would like to continue to support your work, but will find it hard if these "victimizing", "demonizing" type actions continue towards women, especially when the individual does not fall in line with a particular political stance. It is quite transparent. Thank you for listening.
Does it bother anyone else?
Does it bother anyone else that Palin went back to work three days after having her last baby. After having a c-sect I can barely go to the restroom by myself more or less go back to work. How is she going to be supportive of "moms right" when she does not even take a week off after having a kid?
How contradictory and
How contradictory and hippocritical! This organization is supposedly about fair and realistic wages and equality and womens rights and you condemn the woman for going to work 3 days after having her baby!!!!! I mean, you can't have it both ways! You can't be equal and get special treatment!!! If you're a woman and want to be in a position of power and prestige which pays well, you can't then expect to be able to disappear for 8 weeks! We all have choices, and Sara Palin is the governor of the state and she has a husband who is supportive and quite capable of caring for an infant!!!
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Suprise Party
Did anyone call and make an appointment? I bet none of you can hand deliver a letter to any state governor's office. They have security and especially in DC, why would you think folks would just blindly accept anything.
Candidates do not let mail or packages just be hand dropped off. They all have to go through security screening. Would you just take anyone's package from a large group of unknown people with WHAT kind of agenda? It's amazing when a group can't force their way into a situation, they cry foul!!!
Is MomsRisisng an
Is MomsRisisng an organization that is not democratic or republican? Is MomsRising a liberal democratic organization? I would like to know.
Are they affiliated with NOW who believe in abortion rights and if you as a woman do not agree with them then you are instantly anti-woman?
I for one am a liberal feminst. Look up the word feminst or feminism for that matter where does it state that it is only related to being a democrat or female for that matter. Heck my grandfather is a feminst for god's sake!
Put aside your political beliefs for one moment. Is Sarah Palin a woman? YES. Is Sarah Palin a mother? YES.
Is Sarah Palin working outside the house? YES
Has she been a Mayor? YES Has she been a Governor? YES currently.
Bottom line-Is she breaking the GLASS CEILING in regards to reprentation of women in politics in general?
YES.
You may agree or disagree in regards to the political party she represents. However she is a working mother and THAT is universal.
Just say you were wrong..
I respect your efforts to get these questions to Sarah Palin, and had you been asking these questions of the governor of Alaska, asking what she was prepared to do for the Alaskan people, there would not be an issue. You have succeeded in delivery to other people when you went to the correct office, and in this case, you didn't. The staff refused to accept your materials and BREAK THE LAW. Do your homework next time.
Folks who decide to have
Folks who decide to have children must be grown-up enough to raise them. That includes having resources to feed them, clothe them, educate them, and care for them when they are ill. That is what adults do.
It is not the taxpayers job, and not the constitutionally-directed role of the Federal Government, to organize health care. It is not a "right".
Be a grown up, and take personal responsibility for your family.
I couldn't agree with you
I couldn't agree with you more! How dare everyone think it is the government's responsiblitiy (and my responsibility as a taxpayer) to provide after care, daycare and health care for their family. Why do people choose to have children if they cannot afford them?! I mean, give me a break! Planned Parenthoods are everywhere, and they offer a sliding scale.. What is it to practice safe sex!
I work for a low-income, federally funded education program, and while many parents are working and considered low income, there are others who receive section 8 housing, get free pre-k from 8am to 2pm, and have their children dressed in North Face Jackets....and they don't have JOBS!!!!! Here I am, working full time, with 3 children and a husband who works 2 jobs, and here many of these single young (around 20-24) moms have their kids at school all day and don't work!
Give me a break!
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