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

[2cntswrth]

While I agree completely with your analysis as stated in this open letter, I would make one slight adjustment by saying that while "some" are not that stupid . Unfortunately, "some" (far too many) really are. With all of the problems this nation is facing, particularly with the economy which impacts women and children the most, you would think that common sense would direct most women towards voting their own interests. But the polls aren't reflecting that. Sarah Palin is a joke and an insult to most women who can see through the neo-con fascade. However, there are plenty of women who feel a kinship with her unprofessional pony-tail and expressions of homespun attitudes that exclude many people in our society.

[arthur2008]

John "Country First" McCain's embrace of the Big Lie as his only available strategy for distancing himself from the disastrous policies he wishes to continue shows the full measure of his supposed "honor." Women -- and men -- would do well to examine the less-than-honorable footprints he has left on legislation during his decades as a Washington insider. They will find absolutely no evidence that he has ever been on the right side of "women's issues." He has seldom even been on the right side of history.

[deliriousgod]

a lady would be in the best position to tell me if it weren't possible that the reason why Palin spit out Gibson's name 'Charlie' so venomously is because she was acclimatised to slurring men who get in her way as 'Charlies' as an invocation of that pathetic Schultz character?

[Agent420]

I have to say that you are not my favorite person, but I find it impossible to disagree with anything you said in that wonderful letter. You have gone up a few notches in my respect. We need more of the same from other women who feel that the truth still has some meaning.

[puffin]

A must read, whether you agree or not with Governor Palin's views or selection

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/552kbtvz.asp

[bjefrz]

Wow. I just read that article. In a nutshell, it makes the point that Palin is just as qualified to be a sort of citizen president (thing Mr Smith goes to Washington) as Truman or Reagan. On this point I agree.

Unfortunately, she, unlike Reagan, already has a history of governing through spite, secrecy and lies. And not little lies and secrets like who she slept with and when, but big lies like what her policies are, and what she did in government ans who she fired.

And to make it worse, she knows, IN ADVANCE, that she is going to lie. Why else would she and her staff use private emails to conduct state business? The only reason to do that is to obstruct the discovery of truth. It's first degree lying.

I think Americans are entitled to make the decision to elect someone of average qualifications to be our leaders. I think we are smarter when elect those who are of higher intelligence and are better informed. I mean really, do any of us seek to go to the average surgeon when we need one? Do we seek the mechanic we want to have beer with, or the one who knows how to fix cars? Do we want the who went to middle school with the president running FEMA when our state is hit with a disaster, or do we want someone who knows how to effectively run a government agency?

[brownswan]

Points well made. It is not Palin's background or lack of it that is offensive, but her conduct within that background, her attitudes about life and law, and her stand on the issues of the day.

Another person, with a similar background, might prove generous in spirit, ethical in conduct, open minded and downright Lincolnesque in probity. The evidence at hand more than suggests that Gov. Palin is not that person.

Her views are rigid and dangerously narrow; her attitude about women's rights in general is beyond comprehension. She lies in public with the confidence that she will not be called to account for it. It is my belief that she, not her small-town Alaska background, is unfit for the office she seeks, let alone the one that she might be called to fill.

[2conscious]

I too read this article, and agree that 'everyman/everywoman' could and should be electable. But with the author's comparison of her to Reagan and Truman, I'm going to have to seriously disagree on ... "She shows signs of sharing their humility, power of decision, and simplicity toward self-government". Say what you like about Reagan and Truman - Sarah Palin is a narcissistic, insecure, shoot-from-the hip, self-interested dunce.

If she had any humility, I might take away a different impression. But when she boasts about her (empty) foreign policy credentials, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. If she had simply stuck to her 'small-town values' claims, the author might have a valid claim.

[Tulka2]

Thanks, Erica. Good to see you have recovered from Hillary's loss and are back in the game. Now... don't you wish Hillary Clinton were as disgusted with Palin as you are? Does Clinton keep quiet because Palin gets a slim demographic Clinton straddles too? To whit: Republican married women? Clinton, it is said, does not want to alienate them because she really won't feel that bad when Obama lose and she has a run at 2012. Hillary has got to do more than wear a button and say a slogan or i will be blaming the Clintons for an Obama loss.

[Keith52]

Thank you Tulka2. I agree. But I want to hear from others too. Webb, Sebelius, How about Ted Strickland? Or Tim Kaine? He's a great speaker.

[postman606]

This is all so weak. The Vp candidate is not the pick of the electorate, but the pick of Presidential candidate. People vote for the person at the top of the ticket and the phenomena that you see is Americans trying to find any excuse not to vote for the Dem at the top of the ticket.

[gennagirl]

Thanks Erica, once again you have spoken for all of us

[stpdys]

Thanks Erica I could have said it better myself.

[Bamajules]

Oh no she didn't speak for ALL of us. The polls are showing that!

[CLetchworth]

I had to smile when Charlie Gibson asked Palin her views on abortion. She clearly stated that she was pro-life, but then went on to say that she respected other's views on the subject. If she supported other views on the subject, wouldn't she be pro-choice?

[Bamajules]

She said "respected", not supported. Be very clear, because there is a HUGE difference.

[deliriousgod]

she's con-choice

[DragonBuddha06]

Good Letter...

It brings everything down to simplicity to make the point... I am very impressed.

It does need to be printed mainstream. I hope for that.

Thank you for brightening my day.

[JustABriefThought]

Copy this letter and take it to your local newspaper. It needs to get out! Write one of your own to your local newspaper. Print out and photocopy this letter and send it to as many Republicans as you possibly can afford to. Bush's ratings speak volumes. I am sure Republicans felt stupid when they woke up from the 2004 election and realized their Commander in Chief was a liar.

Republicans to the naughty bench until they apologize for the last eight years.
SaveYourCountryFirst.

[TuesdayMorning]

Please publish this letter in newspapers and make sure McCain gets his copy.

[GoodGuysandBadGuys]

erica the irrational hillary supporters who refused to admit back in early march that there was no mathematical possibility for her to win are the reason that palin is mccain's vp pick. were you one of that group? we all know the answer to that.

for months after it was clear she could not win, people who should have known better just kept trashing obama. just kept saying they would never vote for him. so mccain decided to take advantage of that, and he chose palin.

so while I bet huff won't print this because now that you are writing "dear john" letters we are just supposed to kiss up to you and tell you how awesome you are (boy these posts here are sickening - short memories), I am going to put the energy and words into the universe and call you out on your actions. palin as vp pick is a consequence of yours, and the other irrational hillary supporters behavior from march trough june of this year.

[Agent420]

Have you ever heard of capital letters at the beginning of sentences and for peoples names? I guess likewise you have never heard of the truth.

[campgranata]

Have you ever heard of e.e.cummings?

What a huge leap from a dearth of capital letters to an unfamiliarity with the truth. Do you believe that is a logical conclusion?

[campgranata]

“You have blown your credibility. Usually politicians wait to be elected to do that.

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

I think YOU are that stupid if you believe Sen. John McCain is not elected. But using your statement did MRS Clinton wait to be elected president to blow her credibility?

I just went to the Barbra Streisand blog which is basically a log not a blog and she IS stupid enough to state ‘I believe John McCain chose Gov. Palin because he truly believes that women who supported Hillary—an experienced, brilliant, life-long public servant’
No Babs, BILL Clinton for all his personal failings is an experienced, brilliant, life-long public servant; MRS Clinton is his wife and has so little relevant experience that she chose to run on his. So much for credibility.

I am no fan of John McCain and have campaigned for Senator Obama but I am sick of this crap for Gov. Palin has more experience 'running something' than any of the others in the race. the reason I support obama is because he is bright and Palin doesn't appear to be.

[obamagal]

Erica,

I hope you are able to have this article published in newspapers around the country. It is excellent and needs to be read by many more than those here, who, by and large, already agree with you. Women (and men) who do not have the time to learn the facts, but instead base their decisions on soundbits on the local 6 o'clock news, need to read this.

Well done!

[juzcuz]

Loved Jong's article and like harobamason's comments as well. I want to share this link - something that is so important for all Americans to watch... regarding wars and warmonger McBush. I'm trying to spread it througout the country. Wonder how much it would cost for Obama to run this as an ad? I'm sure many of us would be willing to donate again to get the likes of this shown to ALL of America... perhaps on Fox TV since that's the station all those who really NEED to see it, will. Educate the blind to see the light.
http://www.youtube.com/v/PdJUCU1UH2w&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&co

[PeaceOnEarth62]

Everyone needs to view this video. I am sitting here crying and shaking. This is no joke, people. Get out there and support our candidates Obama and Biden. It's going to be the only way to prevent "other" wars.

Especially moving and thoroughly frightening in this video (in addition to the graphic destruction depicted) is the author who is asking the audience to "pick a city" in the event that our government goes after Iran using nuclear weapons. We cannot allow ourselves to be forced into such a position.

If folks are going to base their decisions on their so called "religion", how about sticking to the commandment that teaches "Thou shalt not kill". That's my "pillar" and I'm sticking to it. Thank you for posting the link so that the blind shall see the light.