Over the years, I've shared a lot of my joy, pain, frustration, humor and personal disposition on this blog. I've talked about my job, my family and my passion for protecting the environment and public health. The one common thread connecting everything I do is my kids.
Being a mother is something I take very seriously. As my kids are growing up I'm learning a lot about being a good parent. I've also developed a (probably not so) unique talent I like to call the "mommy voice."
You know what I'm talking about, the voice of your mother calling out your full name. The sound that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck just at the thought of it.
The good news is I use this voice sparingly and only when necessary. Usually it's in a way to protect my kids from harm. Which I think is exactly what moms are supposed to do to keep our kids safe.
But, it's not just moms who should be putting our kids' first. I also expect our elected officials to put the health and safety of our kids ahead of the deep pockets of polluters. This belief is why I do what I do. And it's why the actions of Heather Wilson, a candidate for U.S. Senate from New Mexico, are so egregious.
When given the chance to stand up for hard-working New Mexican families and the health of their children, Heather Wilson has sided with polluters and their big checks -- every time.
Her votes [1] in Washington have allowed big oil companies off the hook for polluting New Mexico's drinking water with MTBE, a toxic chemical which studies show may cause cancer. This even includes the drinking water at a school.
As a person who works in the environmental and political field, I shouldn't be surprised her campaign finance filings show she collected thousands of dollars worth of polluters' campaign contributions. However, as a mom, it's shocking because there is no price tag you could ever put on the health of my children.
Isn't it time we raise our collective "mommy (and daddy) voices" and tell politicians they are in a time out until they start putting our kids first?
[1] HR6, House Vote 145, 4/11/03; HR4503, House Vote 241, 6/15/04; HR6, House Vote 129, 4/21/05; HR6 House Vote 132, 4/21/05; Environmental Working Group, "Like Oil and Water."