There is a problem with sexism in Lansing, but it goes far beyond the fact that too many legislators make sexist comments and create a Capitol culture that’s disrespectful toward women.
This is the pattern we’ve seen since Republicans took control last year. The overwhelmingly male Legislature – even more male these days – is systematically passing policies that make our state more dangerous and demoralizing for anyone who represents “the other”: anyone who is not white, male, heterosexual and able-bodied.
So, yes, state Sen. Rick Jones’ “hooker” comment was out of line. It’s part of his pattern of offensiveness toward women and the culture of disrespect toward women at the Capitol, and kudos to Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer for her excellent public response. (As a former House staffer, I can tell you there is a lot of other offensive behavior, especially directed at employees, that the public doesn’t know about.)
The deeper damage, though, is being done by these conservative men – including Jones – who are pushing an agenda that, even if it violates their own “local control” and “smaller government” mantras, is shaping Michigan into a backwoods state where narrow-minded men make mean-spirited decisions for the rest of us.
Consider:
Late-term abortion ban
These bills were nothing more than a pacifier for their right-wing base and a prerequisite for the almighty Right to Life endorsement. It was unnecessary (federal law already covers this issue), divisive, and a waste of legislative time.
Sen. Arlan Meekhof, the primary sponsor, had the nerve to say he sponsored it because he was so grateful his mother didn’t abort him and he could be adopted. These men think they actually understand the abortion issue better than women. Hey, if you want to say thanks, use Hallmark – not the Legislature. Instead, male legislators pee on the hydrant of power and say no, of course we can’t trust women to make decisions for ourselves.
EITC
Seven Republican men, including Sen. Jones, sponsored the elimination of the state Earned Income Tax Credit last year – a widely praised bipartisan initiative that helps nearly 800,000 Michigan families make ends meet. Let’s remember that because of systematic discrimination in employment, education and health care, women are more likely to be poor. So any policies that increase poverty affect them disproportionately. They are also more likely to be heads of households. Because of these facts, the elimination would have pushed more women into poverty, and even the eventual preservation of the credit at 6 percent hurts.
Cap on welfare benefits
With Rep. Ken Horn as its primary sponsor, the 48-month cap on state assistance was yet another machete swipe at what’s left of the safety net in Michigan. Undoubtedly intended as a dog whistle for the offensive “welfare queen” stereotype, the law kicked tens of thousands of children and their parents off financial aid during some of the toughest times Michigan has ever seen. So much for family values. And, of course, racism plays into this one strongly as well.
Domestic partner benefits
In a widely condemned move that showed us what Gov. Snyder is really about, Republicans killed the option that municipalities and school districts had for offering health care to partners of employees. This is another law affecting women more than men, since nearly 70 percent of same-sex couples are female. The move runs counter to the conservative value of local control and the business goal of creating a competitive business environment that attracts high-tech businesses and talented young people. But it shows where the right-wing’s priority is: suppressing “the other.”
Attack on teachers
Amid their many attacks on workers, this crop of conservatives has gone after teachers first and foremost. In addition to Republicans slashing the very resources that allow teachers to do their jobs, Sens. Arlan Meekhof, Phil Pavlov and Randy Richardville introduced so-called “Right to Work” legislation – aimed only at teachers. As we all know, the vast majority of teachers are women.
Of course, this is all on top of shifting the tax burden from corporations onto the rest of us while stealing our civil liberties with laws such as the emergency manager power grab.
So far, it’s been mostly women denouncing the sexist comments (which continue, by the way). Day after day, around the country, yet another elected official blithely commits a public incident of sexism or disrespect toward women. See what New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said just the other day at a Romney rally – and Romney hasn’t said anything about it. And the press hasn’t questioned it.
This is our world – for now. I’m constantly amazed at the strength of women who put up with this crap day in and day out, whether in the political world or everyday life. We let a lot roll off our backs to survive. We have to pick our battles.
So when a man calls a woman a “hooker,” maybe you can’t go all out on that one. But when a male legislator perpetuates a pattern of sexism that reflects an aggressive anti-woman, anti-“other” agenda that is threatening the very survival of people I love and devaluing every child who is not white, male, rich, and straight – I’m not going to “get over it.”
I’m going to use it as fuel to get mad and stay mad – all the way through Nov. 6. I have a feeling a lot of other women, and men, will too.