Governor Palin, I'm calling you out

When I first read about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, I was intrigued.  She's one of only eight women running a state government, mothers five children, runs marathons, and manages to have approval ratings in the 90's.  As if that weren't enough, her name continues to be mentioned on the short-list of people being considered as McCain's vice-presidential nominee.  Regardless of whether you agree with her politics, you'd be an idiot not to be impressed by Gov. Palin's rise up the Republican ranks.

The 44-year-old governor gave birth to her fifth child in April.  Trig Paxson Van Palin was born in Alaska right after the governor returned from Texas, where she gave a luncheon keynote for an energy conference.  He made his arrival a month early, weighing in at 6 lbs, 2 ounces.

He also has a diagnosis of Down syndrome, a genetic condition caused by the presence of three -- rather than the typical two -- copies of chromosome 21.  By the family's report, Trig's condition was revealed during the fourth month of her pregnancy by prenatal genetic testing.  Both parents admit to being shocked and challenged by the news, but hold strong pro-life beliefs that made a termination of the pregnancy out of the question.  Like all parents, they view their son as precious and perfect and are willing to make whatever effort is necessary to help him reach his full potential.

Let me first say that I offer my sincere congratulations to the Palins on the birth of their son.  I am sure he is a joy and a blessing.

Further, I understand how this experience might have deepened the governor's pro-life convictions.  Her decision has not gone unnoticed -- the story has appeared on many pro-life websites and supportive comments from other parents of children with special needs have poured in.   While Gov. Palin's choice to continue her pregnancy was no doubt a personal one, it's given her incredible political power on this issue.  Vogue cover notwithstanding, say hello to the new poster child of pro-life politics.

Here's where I take issue with the governor: what about rallying around the health and educational needs of children with physical and cognitive disabilities? If there is going to be an issue that raising a son with special needs makes close to your heart, shouldn't it be more about the many years of his life, rather than the nine months of his prenatal development?

A recent study published by the Commonwealth Fund, a non-profit organization that specializes in health policy, ranked Alaska 42nd in measures of health care access, quality, costs, equity and health outcomes in children.  Included in the study were several indicators that related directly to children with special health care needs.  Of children aged 1-17 with an identified emotional, behavioral, or developmental problem, only 52% had received mental health care the last year (rank: 47).  For children with special health care needs needing referrals to specialty care, only 23% got them (rank: 32).  And while it doesn't apply specifically to children with special needs (but certainly affects their quality of care), only 38% of Alaskan children have a medical home (rank: 47).  Incidentally, all of these issues with access and quality of care exist despite the fact that Alaskans spend more out-of-pocket for health care than most Americans and have higher health insurance premiums.

Claiming the title of "pro-life" should obligate you to more than an end to abortion -- it should make you wish for and work for a high quality of life for the children who are already here.  By virtue of the family he was born to, Trig Palin will have access to high quality healthcare.  However, based on current data, his fellow generation of Alaskan children may not be so lucky.

Governor Palin, I have no doubt you'll take excellent care of your son.  Now, do what needs to be done for the rest of Alaska's kids.

[Photo: Jim Lavrakas, Anchorage Daily News]

   

Comments

[Ted]

Can’t realistically imagine McCain selecting anyone other than Palin as his Veep!

[Ted]

Mac Pick Palin Veep BEFORE Hil Campaigns w/Obama!

In addition to her overwhelming attraction on the oil/energy issue and the female/disaffected Hillary voters, her human interest story will generate millions and millions of dollars worth of publicity and media coverage — essentially free to the McCain campaign — more than offsetting Obama’s reported money advantage.

[Ted]

I can see it all now, Alaska Gov Sarah Palin’s husband, Todd, introducing Sarah as the next Vice President of the United States at the Republican National Convention later this summer, to the tune of Shania Twain’s “She’s Not Just a Pretty Face”.

Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMlcZDorjuE

Just imagine!!! (Dems, eat your heart out)

[Ted]

A commenter on another post says it much better than I can:

"They say McCain reads the blogs, so here goes --

Senator McCain- Don't let the campaign kibbitzers muddle things up.

First and foremost, Sarah Palin shares your values. She killed the bridge to nowhere. Need we say more?

As for the politics, Sarah Palin transcends geography. Her constituency, like yours, goes beyond state lines.

She will get your ticket access to voters all over the country based on who she is and what she stands for. Because she's young, a woman, a mother with young kids, she will grab media attention more than any other potential candidate.

Gov. Palin also has a son in the active duty military. You have very wisely taken your son's service in Iraq off the table as a campaign talking point. That is and should be respected. But others can talk about it and reflect on what it means.

A McCain-Palin administration would be the first in memory which has family members in uniform during wartime from both the President and Vice President. That would be a powerful statement as to the importance of national service, especially in uniform.

Most importantly, any Vice President should be ready to step up and serve in the event she is needed. Frankly, who is really ever ready? Gov. Palin is as ready as anybody, she is a quick learner, and in her public career has exhibited the courage and decisiveness needed for a great leader.

Godspeed to you in your campaign and in making this important decision."

[Lesley]

They'd have my vote!! :0)

[Regina]

I don't live in Alask and have never heard of Gov. Palin, but I would like to thank soccermom Nicole for saying something I have often thought about. I don't understand how so many pro-lifers care so pationately about unborn children and do nothing for those born with disabilities, or in poverty, or to parents incapable of caring for them.

[Katherine Friend]

It bothers me that, as politically in touch as I am, that I am not familiar with Governor Palin. I have heard her mentioned only once before in the Veepstakes. We cannot afford a "one note" candidate. (Especially in view of the fact of John McCain's age.) I'm sure she's an attractive choice, but he needs all the help he can get. Alaska is not an important state, in electoral terms. Maybe Romney or another "big state" governor? My heart-of-hearts would love Rudy - (talk about 2 heroes!) - but he may have edged himself out with his lack of campaign skill. I DO hope he will not pick Bobby Jindal. I think he is way too young and does not have the experience. And isn't it interesting that McCain and Obama seem to be "waiting each other out" on their picks? The conventions this summer should be veeeddddy interesting! I'll have a big bowl of popcorn ready for the Dem slugfest in Denver...

[Jim R.]

Another favorite argument that anti-choice people like Gov. Palin make about outlawing abortion is that the only situation that might come up for the fetus is retardation or mild Downs and it goes without saying, I hope, that no one should be aborting fetuses over mild defects. But that has nothing to do with the reasons women abort fetuses late term (although in Gov. Palin's case the diagnosis of Downs came early, it does NOT always!) -- there are sometimes severe physical malformations that women deserve a choice to deal with, upon discussion with their physician. Pointing to "I raised a child with Downs" without noting that your child has no physical issues other retardation compared to those fetuses that hardly resemble human beings and are so severely disabled that they are often not expected to live past the first two years of life (as happened to a couple I know in the early 1990s), is despicable as a reason to force other women to give birth in every case without the right to make reproductive decisions themselves. Roe still needs protecting and anti-choice activists like Gov. Palin being used as the "model" for why women should not have the right to choose an abortion misuse their own issues to speak for everyone else. She can afford to pay for special needs issues for her kids but not every couple can afford to pay the much more huge medical expenses of extreme malformity fetus situations upon birth.

[Dicarios]

Regina said:
"I don't understand how so many pro-lifers care so pationately about unborn children and do nothing for those born with disabilities, or in poverty, or to parents incapable of caring for them."
Cindy and John McCain adopted a child of poverty with a deformity. If you look further than the retoric and that bitter view, you will find out both pro abortion and pro-life Americans do much to help those less fortunate. I am convinced with McCain in office along with Palin those in need will not be forgotten.