Why are we all in shock that a woman whose current residence is the Governor’s mansion in Juneau would be chosen as the GOP vice presidential nominee?  Perhaps it is because she is so cold to our view of democracy and women’s rights that her ideals could have a terrifying effect here in California. She is the poster mom for the film Juno whose storybook tale of a teenage pregnancy has become incarnate in Bristol Palin.  While her story is certainly played out in thousands of households across America, we all know the sugar-coated Hollywood tale isn’t the norm for teenagers facing this monumental issue. Teenage pregnancy is an issue that Californians will be facing once again on our November ballot. Like a bad movie sequel, it’s a three time re-run for us in California.  Proposition 4 will force voters to assess the idea of promoting parental notification for underage abortions.  Twice before voters have rallied against this because they know it doesn’t really work.  Yet again we have to fight the fight for reproductive choice.But never before has this ballot proposition had a limelight example like we do today.

Unlike the previous propositions, the opposition now has a teen pregnancy, pro-life family bursting across every media outlet courtesy of the McCain camp.  An a-typical example readily available for the opposition to hold up for voters as a typical prototype.

While we can all dislike Palin’s ideology, we also must realize, like or not; that she represents a large population of women.  Palin represents my sister-in-law, who is anti-choice and staffs a teenage pregnancy hotline encouraging girls to not get abortions. My sister-in-law and women like her can neither be ignored nor should they be disrespected.  They vote too and they hold their ideals as dear as we Democrats do.  And, for us as Californians, this is particularly challenging because teenage pregnancy is an issue that Prop 4 will force Californians to face once again on the November ballot.  I’m worried that we are so critical of her as a candidate, that we might miss the fact that her daughters pregnancy could be construed as a “poster child” for teen age pregnancy.  This could help Proposition 4 win. Funded almost entirely by two men, James Holman (publisher of the San Diego Reader) and Don Sebastiani (a winemaker and former assemblyman). Together they gave over 2 million of the 2.4 that funded the entire movement for it. Planned Parenthood has provided the most funding in the movement against these types of propositions and it is time that we help Planned Parenthood defeat this proposition. Donate visit the Campaign for Teen Safety website at http://www.noonprop4.org.  The fact that this is the project of two guys is story enough.

This initiative continues to have the boomerang effect on the ballot circling back around for a third time. However, Proposition 4 is more precarious than the first two because it damages families as well as teens. Proposition 4 calls itself “family notification,” but in reality it’s a cruel process that would force scared pregnant teens who wanted to notify an alternate family member to report their parents to law enforcement.

In Juneau, Palin, though adamantly pro-life, said this about her daughter: “Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents.”   The key word is decision.  If all teenage girls were lucky enough to have forgiving and supportive parents like Sarah and Todd Palin they might all consider notifying their parents, but statistics show that’s not the case. This is one reason why I think that Sarah Palin’s unyielding pro-life stance is so dangerous. Will her daughter’s pregnancy validate teens having babies? Can her actions be construed as a role model for young girls?
 
Teen pregnancy is a complex bipartisan issue that requires multi-faceted answers.  Blanket, one dimensional thinking cannot solve this problem. And don’t get me started on Palin’s even more narrow views on gun control or even global warming.  Palin doesn’t think outside the box and therefore she isn’t the right leader for America in the 21st century.
 
Right now, as we are all focused on the national debate, serious challenges face us at home here in California. We must stay focused on the issues, not the personalities to make sure that our rights for teenagers, women, and as citizens remain our choice.

Vote NO on Proposition 4! 

So, how do we keep this same issue keep rearing its ugly head time and time again?  The answer lies partially in electing state representatives that represent the Democratic ideals  — women like those who CALIFORNIA LIST supports in upcoming election.  We need to help elect these women; especially in those hotly contested swing seats.  Some of our candidates have upcoming opportunities for you to meet them and support their campaigns.
 
Former Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin will hold a fundraiser in her home for Senate District 5 nominee Lois Wolk.  The event will take place on Thursday, September 16th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 4228 Dogwood Place in Davis.  Lois is running against GOP Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian in this hotly contested race and vitally needs your support.  Please contact Connie Sanders Emerson at conniesandersemerson@earthlink.net for more information.
 
The Pacific Palisades Democratic Club will hold a meeting on Monday, September 22nd from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Women’s Club at 901 Haverford Avenue in Pacific Palisades.  This is a free event to learn about the pros & cons of the propositions on the November ballot.  Guest Speakers include Senate District 23 nominee Fran Pavley and Marcy Winograd, Member of the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party.  For more information call Westside Democratic Headquarters at 310-576-2090.
 
Our August event in Sacramento for departing women legislators gave me the opportunity to touch base with electeds and their constituents.  We have had a very busy year so far with the upcoming election and I continue to blog to raise awareness for both CALIFORNIA LIST and our endorsed candidates. You can read my latest weblog on the Daily Kos website at http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/30/175739/503.