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Budget cuts hurt women, children most

To the Editor:
Have a shirt that says on its front, “When we say women and children first we’re not talking about budget cuts.” It seems that the party that controls the House in Congress has forgotten that reasonable people do not appreciate cuts that threaten the “safety net” of 98 percent of the population (Medicare and Social Security).
In the state, the headlines say Gov. Dayton’s funding for preschool for all children doesn’t come close to the amount that he requested. Dayton is looking at the results that will happen 20-some years in the future. He is looking ahead for the citizens of Minnesota and the favorable business climate that the state currently enjoys. An educated work force is one of the factors that businesses consider when looking to expand. Early education sets the model for establishing the value of education. He is also considering the closure of the achievement gap in his thinking. He wants to put children first.
On the national level, the concerns that directly affect women are always the first things the opposition looks at when cuts are to be made. Equal pay for equal work should be a no-brainer, but inequality still exists. Women still have to work an obscene number of days extra to receive the same pay. Family leave pay and paid sick leave are also items that ordinarily affect women more so than men (very slowly, that is changing). There is also the matter of minimum wage (which usually affects women) that is being met with resistance.
Forever and forever more, women will have to fight a battle on the reproductive front. Abortion laws changing, women’s health care shorted in the budget department, payment for birth control methods — it never ends. Roe vs. Wade finally allowed women seeking to have abortions to have safe procedures. Hobby Lobby pleading “religious beliefs;” to which I say B.S. It’s costing them money.
For an egalitarian concern is the proliferation of voting restrictions. In a perfect world, I would always like to see my candidates win, but to resort to restricting voting privileges is a step too far. In this democracy, everyone’s voice should be heard. If I am going to support the message that group represents, it had better be hearing my voice through the voting process and questions answered. My voice says the party that looks to the future for everyone will more than likely get my vote.
Let’s be looking ahead for the sake of the people and state.
Jan Conner
Hutchinson