Inclusion means everyone

Why We Don't Want Men to Vote (quote from Alice Duer Miller, 1915)


- Because man's place is in the army.

-Because no really manly man wants to settle any question otherwise than by fighting about it.

-Because if men should adopt peaceable methods women will no longer look up to them.

-Because men will lose their charm if they step out of their natural sphere and interest themselves in other matters than feats of arms, uniforms, and drums.

-Because men are too emotional to vote. Their conduct at baseball games and political conventions shows this, while their innate tendency to appeal to force renders them unfit for government

This may sound silly to us now, but in 1915, this satirical view of Alice Duer Miller, was important and revolutionary thinking. She was an activist for women's suffrage. It is astonishing to think, that it was only 90 years ago that women were completely prohibited from voting or running for any public office.

We just recently celebrated the momentous occasion of the signing of the Nineteenth Amendment, which occurred on August 26, 1920 and for the first time in this country, women were allowed to vote. The 90th anniversary of this important event should be a pensive time for those of us, men and women alike, who treasure our right to vote.

A friend recently shared with me, "What you see from here, you don't see from there", a telling and appropriate observation from Ariel Sharon. What we see from here, now in 2010, is much different from what Alice Duer Miller saw in 1915 when she wrote these words, pointing out the cruel irony in the tortured logic of men having a right to vote but not women. Since that time, women have become some of our most influential and significant leaders. In this election year, the political prophets are telling us that the influence of women in politics and at the polls will be significantly expanded, as voters exercise their right to determine what "hope and change" really is.

What an exciting time to be an American, and what an exciting time to be a republican woman in politics. It all depends on your view from here. If we choose to see only the negative that the current administrations have bestowed upon us, we will undoubtedly be hobbled with despair. Look for opportunity, because it is here, but we must take it.

"Equality and inclusion means everyone has a place on the playing field. Priority seating on the sideline is simply not good enough." Donal Cashman, Enable Ireland

Inclusion is something that every elected official should strive for. Inclusion of the views of all citizens is something that has been sorely lacking for sometime in the government in my city. The voices of a select and boisterous few have and continue to control the city and it's current dysfunctional government. We have a long proud history in our country of including everyone, regardless of their viewpoint or station in life. Inclusion of the views of the quiet majority, parents, families and business owners, is something I will strive for if I am elected to serve on the City Council of Yorba Linda.