Not That Stupid: Erica Jong's Dear John Letter

Dear John McCain:

We're not that stupid. Sure it would be nice if the women of America believed that everyone with breasts and a vagina believed in equality. But it ain't so. Women have differing views -- just like men.

Some like beer; some like chardonnay. And some prefer AA. Some like automatic weapons; some don't. Some think every pregnancy is sanctified; some don't. Some think presidents should be qualified for office; some don't care.

But to take the struggle for equal rights that has gone on for two centuries and embody it in the person of Sarah Palin is not just misleading but abusive. Charging rape victims for rape kits is a travesty of equal rights. Insisting that government impose your own views of abortion on others is anti-equality. Cutting funding for black teenage mothers is anti-feminist and racist. Lying to the electorate about your record is insolent. Do you think we're too stupid or indolent to check?

We have checked. You are lying and so is she. But you must think that a big lie repeated over and over becomes the truth. And it seems that many Americans are with you on that.

You are so good at the bold-faced lie that you even seem to believe it yourself. When Barbara Walters and Joy Behar accused you of lying on "The View," you claimed you weren't.

I guess your handlers have decided that after eight years of Cheney-Bush saying one thing and doing another, truth no longer has any meaning. Say it often enough and we'll believe anything -- like the good commercial-watchers we are. So, prep Sarah to sound like Hillary -- and we'll be fooled.

It remains to be seen how many will.

But one thing is clear. You have reached a new low in your regard for the public. You have blown your credibility. Usually politicians wait to be elected to do that.

It's fascinating to watch you and your party try to co-opt the idea of change, the idea of equal rights after eight years of being in total control and trashing the country for women, for workers, for taxpayers and for anyone who earns dollars.

Do you really think we're that stupid? Apparently you do.

Tax cuts for the rich have produced trickle-down unemployment. You want to try that again? We don't. The private sector has not policed itself. Failing banks and mortgage companies prove that. The deficit has swelled. Insurance rates for health care have swelled. Women are joining the ranks of the poor faster than ever.

Play it again, John?

As Sarah Palin said, lying about her lust for earmarks, "Thanks but no thanks."

Sincerely,
Erica Jong

Comments

[Seven7s]

Sorry to say but yes, Americans ARE that stupid. And we'll see in November.

[dbm1966]

I completely agree with your reasoning, but when I look at how this race has changed since Palin was added to the ticket, I can't agree that many women and men are not that stupid. In fact, they are very stupid. I have never witnessed such a transparent attempt to win votes. He chooses a scary, far right woman for VP who, despite her evangelical beliefts, lies like a rug, and people become "energized." McCain won't even allow her to speak to the press, instead controlling her like some domineering husband or father (grandfather?), and I'm supposed to think this is a strong, independent woman? Please! Nevertheless, his trick is working, at least for now, and the dolts who buy into this McCain/Palin ticket are everywhere. So, yes, many women and men are that stupid.

[orianna]

Yes, a true picture of their indolent deceit... and these are the so-called religious, chosen of God! Make ya wanna puke, doesn't it?

[MissingAmerica]

How do we make sure McCain reads this? It is so well put. I have always taken pride in my ability to make the best possible decision based on the facts I work very hard to learn. To think that I would vote for a woman simply because of her gender, while totally ruling out her character (or, in Sarah Palin's case, lack thereof) is a massive insult. What in the Hell has happened to this man? I used to respect him. Sadly, there is no longer anything about him to respect.

[gregjones]

Remember....the headline in the U.K.'s Mirror following Bush's 2004 re-election read 'How Can 53,451,821 Americans Be So Dumb ?' We've actually come a long way. America IS waking up ! It is up to those of us who know truth...to help guide those who are still lost. Great article Erica.

Greg J.
B4B

[lange903]

If there is a god, heaven help us. Any god that exists gave man to0 much free will to destroy himself. Unfortunately that means that the rest of us get to go along. I have a 60 something aunt who is a dear person and also happens to be a Republican. The last time I saw her prior to the RNC, I got the feeling that she was wavering in her support of Republicans. So when I received the following in my email, I forwarded it to her hoping that I might give her a reason to reconsider whom she supports. Unfortunately, her reply follows as well.

McCain's Integrity
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/mccains-integri.html


Her reply: This is just the rantings and ravings of one man's opinion. Maybe McCain was not always right, but he was more than just present and could make a decision. I believe he is an honorable man and will do what is right for our country. Since Sarah Palin is on board, I will not even think of voting for Barak Hussein Obama who thinks you can talk to the madmen who want to destroy us.

As Ipreviously, my aunt is a very kind and loving person. I wanted to respond to her but I don't want to create bad feelings so I have to let it go. But I fear that there are hundreds of thousands of really nice people like her out there.

Heaven help us!

[ivywoman]

Well written. Al women please log onto womenagainstpalin. sign up, it is a very interesting sight..

[IhaveaDREAMwhitegirl]

I also read it and feel a little more comforted that we DO (thank God) have smart, educated and very caring women and men in America!

Women Against Sarah Palin (a heartfelt blog),

Just what I needed to read ! (esp. because of no trolls!)

Thank-you Erica for stating what many are thinking. I am tired of being talked to like a deaf toddler and have been more than ready for a leader who can communicate intelligently , compassionately, and honestly.

[salzy1]

I hope that McCain actually reads this reasoned, well-written letter that exactly expresses how I and tens of thousands of other women feel.

[RWiley]

john mccain in a desperate push
found a candidate with a cute little tush
will the voters endorse
this new trojan horse
concealing four more years of george bush

http://leftylimericksbyrwiley.blogspot.com/

[fedupmiddleagewoman]

After4 terrible failed Bush Years, lies about the war the American's re-elected him based on who they would most like to have a beer with and his so called religious values. Now we have the same thing with Palin. She is a know nothing woman who will be a heartbeat away from on old man with a old heart.. She stands for everything that is wrong in America.Of coiurse the religious right doesn't care who is in power as long as they favor life. Of course, Palin likes to kill animals, thinks that a rape victim, regardless of age must go through with a pregnancy, wants to overturn Roe vs Wade . IN ESSENCE SHE IS AGAINST WOMAN'S RIGHTS. Why are so many woman planning to vote for her? She should be the perfect candidate to vote AGAINST if you were a woman. I can't figure it out but the international community is watching this election again. And if we elect McCain/ Palin they will again be sure we Americans are nuts and not to be trusted. Look at our economy. Can anyone out there say we are BETTER off than we were when a Democrat, Bill Clinton, was in office? If you think it's bad now, just wait to see what happens if this country elects McCain and Palin.. It's time to wise up. Female parts doesn't give a woman qualifications..It takes a brain and Palin should still be walking the yellow brick road looking for hers.

[postman606]

According to poling among women, I beg to differ. The country was looking for a face that made them feel that the candidate is "one of us". That's all it took, no matter that the VP pick has a dubious history and some far-right wing positions. At the end of the day, White America only needed the most inane reason to turn away from the "exotic' , yet qualified Black candidate. I'll see you guys on the other side of the oncoming depression.

[sawdustinhershoes]

"White America?"

I am a white American woman and I'm voting for Obama, whether he's white or black or Hispanic or Asian, or male or female. I'm also from Texas - bastion of racism.

I'm not a republican or a racist. Rightwing America only needed the most inane reason to turn away from the "exotic" Barack Obama. To say "white America" did so is a mistake and an insult.

So called independents, who have fallen for Sarah and away from Obama are few. What we see is people who were looking for an excuse not to vote for Obama, even though they knew in their heart that McCain is more Bush policy. They are probably racist and probably republican, regardless of claiming to be "independent".

Personally, I think if anyone has truly been paying attention, they are sure of how they'll vote. To claim at this point in the process not to have made a decision is sillyness. Anyone who's paid attention to anything in the last 8 years knows Bush has been awful and the republicans have been awful. Someone who's going to nitpick issues with Obama wasn't gonna vote for him - ever.

[kemo5]

Not that stupid? I beg to differ. I had to read this article since this is what has been going through my mind for a week. If you go to a local bar like I do on occasion and listen to what people say, you will be astounded by the stupidity, or simply ignorance.

A guy last night said "Wanna know why the country is in trouble? Look who's in the majority for the last 2 years." That was one of the more intelligent comments.

Stupid is as Stupid Does. The biggest no-brainer election since Clinton-Dole, and here we are in a dead heat. At the risk of over-simplifying, any remotely independent voter like me that changed their mind based on the last 2 weeks is simply not very smart.

[newsketeer]

Unfortunately, I have to agree with kemo5. Stupidity is, indeed, in the majority in the USA. I hate how this sounds, but I'm starting to reconsider the wisdom of the "America, Love it or Leave it" admonition.

I don't see a fundamental difference between Neo-Conservative Republican America and post-Shah Iran.

[BillyT]

Never let the stupid sector and the racist sector influence your vote.

They can be that way, but not you.

The worst thing you can do is say to yourself "why should I care....most Americans are racists anyways."

By not caring, by not voting for Obama because of the fear of losing, you have aided and abetted the racists and bigots.

[katlade]

Exactly! Did McCain think he was going to win over Hillary supporters by selecting this dim woman. Any woman that was supporting Hillary would be loath to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket. It is almost polar opposite of what Hillary stands for. Let's show McCain he needs to address the issues that women think are important if he wants to get our vote. And killing a moose will maybe win over men but McCain already has the redneck vote.

[GuyRC]

I think he is trying to invigorate the evangelical vote, they don't really trust him. And if he gets a small number of angry HRC supporters all the better. He definitely had the shoot first ask questions later vote locked up.

[UKPauline]

I agree - this woman is certainly dim - speaks well but has no substance and if the moose ever fought back and SP reached for the nuclear button, God help us all (and even she wouldn't get any special treatment from him!)

[zull2]

Aside from how degrading and insulting it is that Sarah Palin is being foisted on every feminist in the country as the face of their movement, there's an even bigger and clearer reason that directly affects everyone everywhere in the world...

The quality (or lack thereof) of her experience and the very real chance that the top of the ticket could keel over and die in the next 4 years. If you can say that being the president of the Harvard Law Review, dedicating much of your life to community service, being a law professor, being a very successful state senator, and being a very effective US senator is somehow unqualified, you'd be sporting one heck of a double standard by saying that someone with a Bachelors from a state college in sports journalism that spent a handful of scandal ridden years as a small town mayor and only 2 years as a governor of one of the least populous states (yet kept breaking ethics rules along the way) IS qualified. Palin's not even as qualified as the least qualified person to run for president in any party throughout any point in the last 2 years. The only reason that McCain took her and not Huckabee is because she's pretty, she's a she, and she's so far out there on the right wing that it makes McCain look sane by comparison.

[pmarie]

THANK YOU, Erica!!!!!!! You go girl!!!!! I'm betting we're not as stupid as he thinks.