Groping Women In A Trump Administration

[sheshe2]

Given the history of a litany of dangerous statements about women by President-elect Donald Trump and his coterie, there has been a deafening silence on his position on women in America since his victory. So far, three policy areas for which Trump has anointed female chiefs are Secretary of Education—an issue that was never central to his campaign—and ambassador to the UN, where Trump’s contempt for the United Nations and indeed all multilateral entities (NATO, Trade agreements) in his heroic go-it-alone-America-First approach is renown. His Transportation cabinet choice is core to his infrastructure stimulus mantra, anathema to Republicans historically. Almost all other chieftains conform to the mold of old, white, male, Wall Street, Washington insiders or Corporate baron donors that Trump swore to drain from the swamp.

There is no dearth of talented women across politics, corporate America, at educational institutions, and think tanks. The land that has given us female Secretaries of State, a Secretary of Commerce, House Speaker, Head of the Federal Reserve has many more qualified women ready to serve. And not only in arenas marginal to this administration, but in the pivotal areas of economics, treasury, defense, intelligence, security and foreign policy. It mystifies me how the U.S. democracy can deliver for all its citizens, if half remain underrepresented where it matters most – the political arena.

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Under a Trump presidency, do women face a bleak future, with extinction of these agencies and their activist agenda? Given some of the past statements of Donald Trump, Mike Pence and Steven Bannon— “pregnancy is an inconvenience to business;” “putting a wife to work is a very dangerous thing;” “working mothers stunt the emotional growth of their children;” “birth control makes women crazy and unattractive”—should the conclusion be that, for this administration, women are best when breeding, attractive and not inconveniencing workplaces or neglecting children? Or will Mr. Trump give back to the 42 percent of women who actually voted for him?

Women and women’s groups around the country sense the assault and setbacks to their standing and liberty, a fallout that will last for decades. They are mobilizing, rallying, and planning marches. But is there more we can do? Time will tell, but should Trump not step up voluntarily to the challenge, here are actions we have to take:

Read More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/groping-women-in-a-trump-administration_us_5845b13ce4b0707e4c817132?section=us_women