Apparently, it is NOT self-evident to everyone that we are all created equal or at least the C.E.O. of Chick Fil A doesn’t seem to think that everyone is “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable.” The thread is sown into our Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and even the Pledge of Allegiance. Does C.E.O Bill Cathy not salute the flag because he would have to say “liberty & justice for ALL,” –  with no prerequisites for gender, color, religious or sexual preference? It seems at times that those who profess to be most patriotic do not necessarily stand by the most basic of tenets that this nation was founded on.

Of course this is a free country and if the owner of a fast food restaurant wants to state his opposition to marriage equality, he has that right. There’s no charge for entering the political conversation and cultural divide, although there could be a price to pay in the long run. Just as Cathy tries to pull back, the persecution void is filled by others renouncing as "fascists", those who stand up for liberty, as I read in one blog. In the end Mike Huckabee will put on more of those pounds he lost several years ago with his ‘buy-cott’ of Chick Fil A and the citizens of Boston and Chicago may be spared one more high calorie, greasy fast food choice as their mayors try to block this eatery from opening in their cities, out of protest.

Whether people choose to indulge in a chicken sandwich, waffle fries, and brownie or instead go for a Starbucks Panini and Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, my hope is that the conversation gets back on track to where the founders dropped it off. Maybe we can take a break from talking about the second amendment for just a moment and talk about the ninth… “The enumeration of the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” 

With 24/7 cable news and blogs, there is plenty of room to discuss both. Neither one is going anywhere – I hope. In the mean time, perhaps Colonel Sanders can give Chick Fil A a run for its money and be the equal opportunity choice for all chicken loving lovers of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

 

 

 

 

 

So much flack about a woman with a high power government job sounding off about not being able to have it all. As if because she is a person of higher education and influence whether working in the state department, at Princeton, or as a sought-after speaker, she is not entitled to have an opinion. Maybe those of us living in the down and dirty real world can add some street cred to Ann-Marie Slaughter's article on how nearly impossible it is for women to have it all with career and family. 

I am a working mom, although in the interest of full-disclosure, I will admit I have a Master's Degree and a teaching credential. Still, I am most definitely a member of the working class. We struggle to make ends meet and I do not have the luxury of taking a job where I can take off for periods of time. 

When my daughter was first born I took some time off from working full-time. I worked as a sales representative from home for a local parenting newspaper and as a tutor for elementary school children. I had a column in the newspaper for a while and wrote an article or two here and there. I fell in with the local writing community and by some fluke created an art & literature series. Eventually I went back to school to finish the graduate degree I had started before my daughter was born. 

I found I couldn't do it all  and it wasn't nearly as much as Ms. Slaughter did or is still doing. Going to school, working as a tutor in the afternoon/evenings, was difficult enough - but then once I had to start writing my thesis and student teaching on top of working and being a wife and mother, there was no way I could continue the art & lit series that I loved. I put it on hold and still hope to get back to it in some form someday. Wishful thinking, perhaps.  

I suppose I was luckier than Ms. Slaughter because my friends did not seem to be judging me on whether or not I was a working mom. Still, the dilemma affects all of my friends who have children. Those of us who work, wish we could have more latitude in our careers to spend time with our children - as volunteers in their school, during afterschool activities, and the basic quality time that moms who don't work get. 

Even with living in what may be a bubble where I don't have to deal with the judgement of other women, there is always the concern about keeping resumes up to date with current work experience. I know many moms who don't work who are concerned about how this time at home with their children will affect them  in the long run if/when they do decide to get back into the workforce. It seems there is no easy transition for this situation. 

Moms who work have the dilemma of having to time off to attend school meetings and other activities during work hours. With many companies using the PTO model, this cuts into vacation and sick time. Moms who do not work outside the home have to make difficult choices regarding their own careers. Personally, I don't know anyone who 'has it all' at least among moms. I'll have to check with the curiously quiet dads.