Are Moms an Irrelevant Voice?

A storm has erupted.   Last night, things took a nasty turn with a divisive and destructive political storm targeting women in America, namely, stay-at-home moms.

On CNN's Anderson360, a panel of individuals discussed the election and the apparent "problem" that Mitt Romney has with female voters.

Hilary Rosen, a prominent Democratic Strategist and public relations specialist for the Democratic National Committee voiced her opinion about Mitt Romney's inability to connect with women.

She said, "With respect to economic issues, I think actually that Mitt Romney's right that ultimately women care more about the economic-well being of their family and the like.  But he doesn't connect not hat issue either.  What you have is Mitt Romney running around the country, saying, "Well, you know, my wife tells me that women really care about economic issues."  Guess what?  his wife has never actually worked a day in her life."

Wow.

Ann Romney--wife of Mitt Romney, who was a stay-at-home mother to 5 sons, while battling breast cancer and the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis--immediately responded with her first Tweet saying, "I made a choice to stay at home and raise five boys.  Believe me, it was hard work."

Thousands of women across this country have also voiced their concern and frustration for this blatant attack on the role and perspective of a mom.

I have been so troubled by Rosen's comments.  Was she boldly asserting that a stay-at-home mom is somehow an irrelevant voice in the economic issues facing our country?

Are moms an irrelevant voice?  Don't moms have the right to be concerned about the economic stability of this country even if their contribution isn't felt in the workforce?

This is troubling.  This is insulting.  This is condescending.  She is wrong.

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The backlash to her mindless comments have exploded on nearly every media outlet.  Today, Rosen has appeared on multiple talk shows trying to "clarify" her remarks.  Ironically, her efforts have only made matters worse.

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Late this afternoon, Rosen apologized to Ann Romney and despite it feeling a little forced, I would further argue that she also owes an apology to women all over this country who choose to stay home and raise a family.

I am a mother of four.  I firmly believe that there is honor in the role of motherhood.  Ms. Rosen should be ashamed for attacking those of us who choose to fulfill this role in our children's lives.  Our voice is not irrelevant.  She should apologize for demeaning our perspective.

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The backlash has been immediate and the criticism loud.  The White House is now attempting to distance themselves from Rosen by arguing that she "does not work for the Obama campaign" and is not a paid staffer.  

One blaring truth remains, Rosen is unarguably a respected voice within the walls of the White House.  According to White House records, she has been a visitor 35 times.  This may seem inconsequential, but as the National Review reported today, Treasure Secretary Timothy Geitner--an Obama cabinet member has been a visitor just 40 times.

Therefore, I would argue that it is hard to imagine that Ms. Rosen's sentiments aren't well-respected at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

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The White House wants this to go away, but I believe that there is a deeper and more troubling aspect to this entire controversy.

It appears that this Administration is blatantly attempting to divide America based on lines of gender, faith and economic brackets.  This White House is incessantly pitting one group against the other.

Why do Democrats insist on playing demographic and class warfare? 

Don't we all live in the same America?  Does one demographic really matter more than the other?

I am sick of the divisiveness and branding of classes and demographics.  If Ann Romney was able to stay at home with her kids, it was her right and choice, but it shouldn't brand her perspective as irrelevant.

Furthermore, if Mitt and Ann Romney were blessed with financial stability due to his hard work and successes, it should not brand them as having an irrelevant voice with an "un-American" perspective.

The Left's branding of the Romneys in this way is intolerable.

Americans are not simply demographics.

We are male, female, moms, dads, students, employees, unemployed, the wealthy, the middle class, the poor and the destitute.   We are each Americans.  Together we face these troubled economic times and an uncertain future--the reality is simply that we each bring a different perspective.

Blatant attempts to pander and divide us should be stopped.  It doesn't feel American.

So, to people like Hillary Rosen, DNC spokespeople, and quite frankly, members of the White House, please stop seeing me as a demographic.

I am woman.  I am a mom, but above all, my voice and perspective matter because I am an American. Period.