The American People Could Win the 2016 Election

The American People Could Win the 2016 Election

Hillary Clinton could be the next President of the United States. As all candidates before her she will have to prove that she has what it takes to run this country. However, unlike those before her she will also have to convince the United States that a woman is worthy of the position. During her 2008 campaign she was attacked by the media and at times heckled. This issue needs to be addressed if a fair campaign is to take place. If not, the American people will miss out on the value of a fair election.

Rush Limbaugh         

One of the worst abusers of sexist attacks on Clinton is Rush Limbaugh. In the clips above you can hear the ruthless attacks made by Limbaugh. If you don’t have time or head phones, this quote from Limbaugh sums up the clips perfectly. He said,  “The Democrats treat Clinton like an abused wife.” This type of rhetoric has nothing to do with Clinton or her policies and everything to do with her gender. It puts her in an inferior position just because of her sex. Comparing her to an abused wife is insulting to not just Clinton but all women especially those who have suffered abuse. It’s troubling to think a man like this actually has a voice that is broadcast far and wide. What’s even more troubling is the new $400 million dollar contract extension he just signed. Limbaugh is being rewarded for the damaging words and attacks he makes on women.

Unfortunately the sexism does not stop there. It trickles down to the average man and woman who will be voting in the 2016 election. In the clip above an example of this is shown. At a speaking event a man stands up and yells “Iron my shirt!” Clinton skillfully shrugs it off not allowing it to get to her. However, the real damage is how that type of thinking will affect the voters at the election booth. There are many others who share this man’s same sexist beliefs. Though they share their views on twitter. If we allow this type of thinking to hijack the election the real loser will not be Clinton but instead the American people.

             The election process is one of the most important events in a free democracy. By just focusing on the gender of Clinton we hinder this process. Her opponents could instead serve a valuable role of critiquing her policies. Instead of comparing Clinton to an abused wife Limbaugh should be attacking her support for the Iraq war. Or he could instead attack her failed healthcare bill in the 1990s. These are the things that the voters need to and deserve to hear about. A democracy only works if all the voters are educated on meaningful issues before the electorate.

This election is not about electing the first woman president. It is about giving a woman the same non gender biased treatment her husband received when he ran. We have come a long ways in gender equality. Yet we still have much ground to cover. Everyone can help in the next step, not just her supporters. Those who oppose her fairly are just as valuable to gender equality. If everyone comes together and accomplishes this we will have a stronger United States no matter who gives the inaugural address in 2016.

Works cited

Beck, Laura. "Sexist Tweets Emerge Amid Announcement of Hillary Clinton's Presidential Bid." Cosmopolitan. Cosmopolitan, 12 Apr. 2015. Web. 15 May 2015.

Schere, David. "Rush Limbaugh Reprises Sexist Role To Attack Sec. Clinton." Media Matters for America. Media Matters, 24 Jan. 2013. Web. 15 May 2015.

Thumbelina. "Hillary Heckled "Iron My Shirt"" YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 15 May 2015.