The original diary: this primary made me realize that gender equality is more important to me than liberalism

She wants a woman. Got it.

After watching how the local Dem party unabashedly insulted young people of both genders throughout our county convention, I am feeling a LOT less like the party, itself, deserves support. I recently took a BIG step to increase my participation in the party -optimistic but not confident that my abilities/stamina can fulfill the new role- but I am seriously considering stepping back down after witnessing the anti-democratic behavior by the party at the recent convention. I went the first leg of the mile and was told in no uncertain terms that my attendance was irrelevant. The smugness and self-satisfaction and anti-inclusion was palpable. And there are PLENTY of women in party leadership at the local level here.

On this site, I’ve been mansplained about my misogyny for not falling in line with my genitalia numerous time both directly and by insinuation, so forgive me if the arguments here ring quite hollow for me. The party as it stands is quite fond of women of a particular class — I was born and groomed into that class but my health status tugged me out of it. I do not see it as inclusive on anything more than a surface level.*

What I would like to see is an earnest effort at greatly expanded voter participation of ALL genders colors, income, and every other expression of self. I see my local party RUNNING IN REVERSE from that goal. It was reported there were 8500 people at the county convention in 2008.

This year the largest senate district had fewer attendees than apportioned delegates to be sent from that district to the state convention (roughly 770 — the other three senate districts send dozens of delegates, if that, and mine I believe is scheduled to send two dozen and was short of attendees to make into delegates by six).

Tell me the turnout this year portends well for the party this election cycle and then let’s both sit back when the time comes and see how that plays out. I celebrate your optimism and your satisfaction in principle, but your mileage is extremely different from mine.

I dearly look forward to the day when we have a strong woman sworn in as president. I know now that day will come soon. But. not. this. woman. I have zero confidence that she my needs are a priority for her in the slightest. I will very likely vote for her should she pull off the nomination, but even if she pulls off that contest, I have no confidence that she’ll carry the national election.

*I have said here previously and will likely say again that I see Bernie as a far better feminist than his opponent because of how his platform addresses the needs of women of very class and color. His plans are far more supportive of women reaching closer to economic parity (beginning with a wage which is substantially closer to a LIVING wage than the alternate suggestion), and he believes in a much stronger health care system which will have a better safety net. Having earlier been faced with losing health care, that’s a particularly sensitive issue for me because it has been absolutely life or death in my case.

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/1506296/60554545#comment_60554545