Mother's Day Manifesto and the Democratic Agenda

First let me state that I'm not a mother, heck I'm not even a woman. However, I am married to a woman, was a child of one, have two daughters who likely will become mothers (hopefully not for two decades), and know a lot of mothers (and both the dog and car are females, so I'm surrounded by the feminine. So, aware of the issues, on Mother's Day, I'd like to recommend an article from The Nation and expand on a Democratic Agenda for Mothers.

Many of you know that I've always suggested that Democrats get elected when they put forth domestic, kitchen-table programs and policies which help all Americans (see Social Security, Family Medical Leave Act, etc). A winning candidate needs charisma, a slogan, two or three key issues, and a few programs for each issue that proves that they're not just spinning BS but have actual ideas that can improve America. Almost all polls show Americans agree with us on economics, education, social security, etc, so we ought to emphasize those issues. The Democratic Party is searching for a core national vision (we've got lots of them, the issue is which to emphasize) and I think that based on values and politics we ought to emphasize a way to help mothers. Not only does this demonstrate our core value of Patriotism / Common Good, but it also will help keep 20 and 30-something women on our side and voting Democratic. Let's show some Democratic Family Values.

First the article: "The Motherhood Manifesto," by Joan Blades & Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner from The Nation, 22 May 2006 issue.

This Mother's Day, why not step back and reflect about how we as a country can really help mothers like Renee [her story of low-pay and hectic schedules introduces the piece]? She and millions of other parents across the country are seriously struggling to meet the demands of work and parenthood. Vast numbers of women are chronically tired and drained. But the American credo teaches us to be fierce individualists, with the result that most parents toil in isolation and can't envision, or don't expect, help. It's time to recognize that our common problems can be addressed only by working together to bring about broad and meaningful change in our families, communities, workplaces and nation.

It's often said that motherhood is perhaps the most important, and most difficult, job on the planet....

But right now, motherhood in America is at a critical juncture. As women's roles continue to evolve, more women than ever are in the workforce and most children are raised in homes without a stay-at-home parent. At the same time, public and private policies that affect parenting and the workplace remain largely unchanged. We have a twenty-first-century economy stuck with an outdated, industrial-era family support structure [actually more agricultural-era]. The result is that parents, mothers in particular, are struggling to balance the needs of their children with the demands of the workplace.

America's mothers are working, and working hard. Almost three-quarters have jobs outside their homes. Then, too, America's mothers are working hard but for less money than men (and less money than women who are not mothers)....

National policies and programs with proven success in other countries--like paid family leave, flexible work options, subsidized childcare and preschool, as well as healthcare coverage for all kids--are largely lacking in America. The problems mothers face are deeply interconnected and often overlap: Without paid family leave parents often have to put their infants in extremely expensive or substandard childcare facilities; families with a sick child, inadequate healthcare coverage and no flexible work options often end up in bankruptcy.

The good news is that more enlightened policies would provide practical benefits to the whole society. But we need a genuine motherhood revolution to achieve this sort of change. We believe the following Motherhood Manifesto points are a good place to start:

• 1. Maternity/Paternity Leave: Paid family leave for all parents after a new child comes into the family.
• 2. Open, Flexible Work: Give parents the ability to structure their work hours and careers in a way that allows them to meet both business and family needs. This includes flexible work hours and locations, part-time work options and the ability to move in and out of the labor force without penalties to raise young children.
• 3. TV We Choose; Other After-School Programs: Offer safe, educational opportunities for children after school doors close, including a clear and independent universal television rating system for parents along with technology that allows them to choose what is showing in their own homes; quality educational programming for kids; expanded after-school programs.
• 4. Healthcare for All Kids: Provide quality, universal healthcare to all children.
• 5. Excellent Childcare: Quality, affordable childcare should be available to all parents. Childcare providers should be paid at least a living wage and healthcare benefits.
• 6. Realistic and Fair Wages: Two full-time working parents should be able to earn enough to care for their family. And working mothers must receive equal pay for equal work.

By tackling these interconnected issues together, we can create a powerful system of support for families, improving the quality of our lives and making sure our children inherit a world in which they will thrive as adults and parents. The Motherhood Manifesto is a call to action, summoning all Americans--mothers, and all who have mothers--to start a revolution to make motherhood compatible with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness . I've written on some of these issues before in a DailyKos diary Real Democratic Solutions: Public Pre-Kindergarten.

The Democratic Party needs new policies and I agree that the Motherhood Manifesto is a great start, especially:

1. Childcare and Expanded Kindergarten: We ought to run on making kindergarten for 5 year olds all day and making pre-kindergarten for 4 year olds free and part of the public school system. Essentially, we'd be making Head Start available to all American kids. Oklahoma is having great success with a state-wide program of public daycare. Maria Montessori was right, kids are ready to learn by 3 (and that's what we ought to be working towards).

2. Healthcare for All Kids: Some states have gone this route, and Kerry's Kids First program is interesting. This would be a great large step toward single-payer healthcare.

3. Expand Medical Family Leave ActTo paid maternity leave for three months for mothers and two weeks for fathers (or something like that). Let's watch Republicans show how little they really care about family values.

4. Other aspects of the Manifesto above.

Your thoughts?

I wrote this last year for DailyKos.

PS: Happy Mother's Day to my wife and mom!