Last night was a big night for women. But more importantly it was a big night for conservative women. Carly Fiorina, Meg Whitman, Nikki Haley, Sharron Angle. Each of these candidates campaigned on a return to limited government, lower taxes, and greater individual freedom.
Running for public office is demanding for anyone, but it places particular demands on women. They are constantly forced to balance new variables and too often expected to please countless demographics – working moms, stay-at-home moms, urbanites, suburbanites, small-towners. More often women must defend personal decisions their male counterparts do not have to – choices about children, family, and extra-marital affairs.
Today women are leaders in the boardroom, the courtroom and the operating room, so it should come as no surprise that they have moved from the sidelines to the playing field in politics, as well. But it was the expansion of government under the Obama administration and the down economy that really propelled women into the spotlight this year.
Today nearly a quarter of women out-earn their spouses, women earn 57 percent of bachelor’s degrees and 59 percent of master’s degrees. These educational advancements have led directly to professional achievements. And all this success means women’s purchasing power has exploded. 9 our 10 women are the primary shopper in their household, and women are the leading buyers in the country – everything from cars to groceries.
That’s why it’s not surprising that more and more women are angry about the top-down, Keynesian economic policies advanced by this Congress and president. Women – and the American public – are saying no to government’s attempt to control every aspect of people’s lives – from what windows to install, to what cars to drive, to how to save, to what kind of health care they receive.
Last night was a big victory for the GOP, for women, and most importantly for limited government.
