Obama!

Henry Farrell has a man crush on Barack Obama. Henry attended a talk given by Obama where he was talking about inequality, particularly as how it affects women. Obama touched on childcare, wage differences, maternity leave. I’m in love.

Henry also points out that Obama is a rare animal in the Democratic party.

Between this and John Edwards’ work on poverty, I’m actually feeling hopeful about the US Democratic party. Centrists in the party actually seem to be getting interested in inequality again, and to be finding a language that can link it to moral values. It’s the kind of hope that knows it’s going to be disappointed, if not dashed completely, by experience – but still, that’s more than I’ve had for years.

Yes. Yes. The Democratic party has done a piss poor job of discussing inequality, in particular as it relates to women.

If married women were such as critical voting block in the last election, why haven’t they pushed both parties to discuss issues like maternity leave, child care, and homemaker saving plans?

In particular, the need for more, federally subsized, childcare with workers who are better educated and better compensated is an issue that cuts across class lines. The middle class needs this as much as the poor. Why aren’t women making this a top priority in an election?

There are some interesting grassroots groups that are organizing around these issues. Between those grassroots orgs and Obama, may be we can start to get these issues on the agenda.