by JoAnne Dauphinee, NOW
"Let us seek an end of the militarism that has characterized this nation for decades. Let us seek a world in which security is gained through disarmament, international cooperation, and social justice -- not through escalation and retaliation." War Resisters League 9-11-01
I feel lucky to have lived in the United States - a land rarely visited by the armies of war, though not untouched by war's horrors; where women are relatively free, thanks to feminist struggles in the last two centuries -- struggles that have defined my own life, and my life's work. I am lucky to live in Maine, a state breathtakingly beautiful, and with an admirable progressive community. I feel lucky to have clean running water, indoor plumbing, electricity, transportation, education, meaningful paid work . . . all add to my security.
I've never taken for granted the earth and liberties I enjoy, maintained only by the constant vigilance of good people. The idealism of my childhood has bumped into many manifestations of human greed and fear, including the ravages of sexism, classism, racism, homosexism, fatism, war, religiosity . . . and few girls and women escape the violence our culture mindlessly glorifies.
Not all American are created equal you see. For me, it was feminists who increased my real security -- by giving me rape counselors, battered women's shelters, displaced homemaker programs, the National Organization for Women and other independent women's rights groups such as the Maine Women's Lobby, and the Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center.
"Real security" from government comes with the extent to which it allows movements such as Feminism to flourish, and the extent to which it provides some of the following:
Open, democratic elections -- Insert your own joke here about Jeb Bush's Florida, But, to the extent we have open, democratic elections, I am secure.
Public education -- underfunded, and further threatened by vouchers, charter schools, and tax credits for private schools. But to the extent we have public education, I am secure.
Health & welfare -- unfunded or underfunded, chronically infested with catch-22s, and based more on luck than need. But, to the extent we try to provide health care, and put an end to poverty instead of trying to put an end to welfare, I am secure.
Mental health care -- underfunded and downsized almost out of existence in Maine, so much so that prison guards, police, and shelter operators are all begging for the training and means to treat those citizens in their care, while the Bangor Mental Health Institute frequently hangs out the "No Vacancy" sign. But, to the extent there is mental health care, I am secure.
Various safety net programs -- underfunded, except the ones for unexpected wars and CEOs. But, safety nets for more ordinary citizens - unemployed, part-time workers, seasonal workers, the unpaid and underpaid such as mothers and child care workers, all of these folks have insultingly low benefits if any, time-limited benefits such as unemployment insurance and TANF, COBRA benefits for the few who can afford them, SSI, Social Security (unless Bush gives it to Wall Street), and other programs to help us "little people" scrape by. But, to the extent these programs do work, I am secure.
Well-trained justice, fire, and police departments -- often underfunded, but in Maine - thanks to feminists - more aware than most of how to deal respectfully with raped and battered women, and how to respond to violence and threats of violence at our courageous abortion providers.
Separation of church and state -- The extent to which numerous right-wing churches and the Catholic Church participate directly in politics is alarming. But, to the extent they are excluded, I am secure.
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