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One of the Many Single Females
"In the United States, single women comprise one of the largest voting blocks - larger than Hispanic, Jewish and African American voting groups combined."
By
Sara Perez
It’s 9AM on November 2nd, and my alarm just went off. I get out of bed and begin to call all the lovely, single women on my phone list to remind them how important it is to vote today. I know I’ve already bombarded my friends with information about all the propositions and candidates - but I really, really want them to get out and vote. I care enough about these women to edify them on what’s going on. I care enough to tell them their vote counts. And I definitely care enough to clarify how major key issues such as women’s reproductive rights, economic equality, peace, and civil and human rights are at stake.
In the United States, single women comprise one of the largest voting blocks - larger than Hispanic, Jewish and African American voting groups combined. But in 2000, 22 million of them didn’t vote and 16 million weren’t even registered. This may be due to the fact that many women feel as though politics is irrelevant in their lives. How could they not, when women still make around 77 cents to the dollar compared to men? So instead of voting to make a change, single women have been allowing their right to vote pass them by. But not this year.
This year, the message is out. Women, men, politicians and organizations alike understand the importance of this voting group. If single women were to participate in the electoral process at the same rates as other average voters, they would be able to dramatically change the outcomes of elections. Knowing this, many organizations have cropped up, encouraging women to get to the polls and make a difference. One in particular, 1000 Flowers, gets the message out by targeting women in an all too familiar place- nail and hair salons. This non-profit, non-partisan group is organized in states that, in the past, have shown poor turnout for single women voters. They’re distributing beauty kits that include voter registration forms, lipstick and nail files with slogans like, “Hey girlfriend, don’t let this election be a nail biter” or “Shape the oval office. Vote Nov. 2.” If I was at a salon getting my manicure, and someone from 1000 Flowers came in, I would definitely be encouraged to vote.
So, in an effort to get the single women to the polls, I’ve enlightened all my friends with sufficient information not only about the propositions, but also about the presidential candidates. I’ve informed them enough- at least to have the desire to get Bush out of the oval office. Oops, did I say that? Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the fact that I am voting for Kerry. I absolutely do not want Bush elected for another term because I feel that Bush is too conservative for such a diverse nation.
First, Bush is straight up against gay marriage, supporting a constitutional amendment to ban it. He is also against the right of same-sex partners to adopt children. Secondly, Bush contradicts himself by supporting the No Child Left Behind Act because he opposes giving teachers who work at impoverished schools any bonuses. He also opposes giving these same schools financial support for repair or construction. But, his biggest blunder of all is his opposition to a woman’s right to abortion.
For women across the nation, this is a major issue on our minds, especially the single women. Bush has made his position on this issue quite clear over the past four years. He signed into law the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. He also opposed the FDA's approval of RU-486 (the abortion pill), and he supports restricting its availability. He has even gone as far as proposing a constitutional amendment banning abortion. But what is even scarier, is the fact that he might get his wishes granted.
The future of the United States Supreme Court is at stake because Chief Justice William Rehnquist, 80, recently underwent surgery for thyroid cancer. He did not return to work as planned yesterday, and his level involvement with the Court remains unclear. If Rehnquist is no longer able to hold the position, our future President will have no choice but to appoint a new judge. And if Bush wins today’s election, the shape of our Supreme Court will be changing for the worse.
Bush has already stated on numerous occasions that he will appoint a conservative, let me repeat, conservative, judge to the Court. With his track record, it is more than likely that Bush will appoint someone who shares many of his beliefs, one of which will be abortion. This could lead to an all out war in the Supreme Court over the legal standing of Roe v. Wade. Abortion could become illegal- forcing young women to practice “back alley abortions” which are very dangerous. So if women want their reproductive freedom, they should get out and vote today.
I’m approaching the end of my list by now. I’ve told every one of my single female friends the same thing, “bigger than Hispanic, Jewish, or African American voting groups combined, single females comprise one of the largest voting blocks in the country, but in 2000, 22 million of them didn’t vote and 16 million weren’t even registered.” After hearing that statistic they all responded, “OK. OK. I’m going to vote after work. Don’t worry I don’t want Bush to win either! Estaras loca si piensas que vamos a dejar que gane Bush, No way!” I hang up, feeling a lot better knowing that I’ve done my part- not only educating the women I know, but holding them to their promise to get out and vote.
I hope that my persistency will affect our futures for the better. We’ve had enough of Bush and the war.
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