Disappointment.

I had a much more inappropriate/vulgar title for this post, but decided to change it in order to keep things civil.  I do not like to mix politics and blogging, for the most part because I think politics is serious and blogging it silly. Exception to every rule. Michelle Obama came out this week to talk about her breast-feeding initiative, as part of her campaign against Obesity.  She wants to increase breastfeeding nation-wide, particularly in amongst African-American mothers, where breastfeeding rates are low. Studies have proven that breastfeeding reduces obesity rates, improves immune systems, and some even suggest that the nutritional benefits help babies develop with higher I.Q.s, bottom line, its good for your kids. As part of this initiative, Mrs. Obama announced that breastfeeding products, like breasts pumps, will now be tax deductible, to help cover the costs for mothers. Great! Seems like a great idea, good for the kids, help out the mothers, its a win win. No where did she say that EVERY mother HAD to breastfeed; her sole aim is to increase awareness and access. 


Enter Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann. Bachmann went on Laura Ingraham's radio show to hate hard-- saying "To think that government has to go out and buy my breast pump — You want to talk about nanny state, I think we just got a new definition. " I mean, really?????  Aside from this being a ludicrous statement, it is also misinformed,  Mrs. Obama did not say the government was buying anything, just that breast feeding supplies would be tax deductible. She went on; “I support what the first lady is trying to do, but I also think there’s already enough pressure on working moms,” she said. “Yes, breast is best, but there are plenty of mothers who love and care for their children, but simply can’t pump — for time, work or physical reasons.” Ok, so if you support it, why are politicizing it and calling a tax break (which I thought you were all for by the way) an act of the nanny state?? Obviously not every mother can breastfeed-- no one is saying they have to, Mrs. Obama is only trying to increase access for those mothers who want to and can, but who are unable in their current circumstance or uneducated about its benefits. Providing access to the  tools and skills mothers need  to make the choice that is right for them, is something everyone can get behind, no?  By her own admission, Bachmann breastfed her five children, somehow amidst her busy career, she managed to find the time, doesn't she think it's worth getting behind other working moms to support their effort? 


As if this wasn't irritating enough, Palin added to the already intelligent discourse,  while speaking on Long Island: “No wonder Michelle Obama is telling everybody, ‘You better breast-feed your baby, Yeah, you’d better, because the price of milk is so high right now.”  This for me is the lowest of the low. First of all, even if you are not breastfeeding your child, you give them formula, not cows milk. I hope these women realize that they are playing with children's health, as mothers and as women, I would expect more, no matter their politics. 


Feel free to comment with vulgar title ideas, I could always edit it post-post...