Will America’s Beauties Decide The Election?
By Dorsetta Hale

My 18-year-old daughter was riding in the car with her younger sister and their aunt, when the morning DJs started debating the movie Fahrenheit 9/11, the war in Iraq, President Bush and Democratic presidential nominee, John Kerry. Feeling grownup after receiving an official postcard acknowledging receipt of her voter registration, she threw in her two cents on the current political climate.

“I think it’s just wrong that the Democrats made Dean Martin drop out of the presidential race just because he yells when he gets excited.”

“Dean Martin!” replied her sister. “He was an entertainer. You mean Howard Dean.”

“Whatever.”

After telling me this story, I know their aunt was worried that her beautiful niece could end up being a trophy wife. I’ll admit I’ve been a little concerned myself. She’s the kind of girl that makes boys and men do double takes when passing her by even when they’re with their girlfriends. One day I came home to find her eating a prepackaged container of macaroni and cheese, something I would never buy, so I asked her where she got it. She told me that she was just walking by 7-Eleven when a deliveryman said to her, “Hey, you look thirsty. Take your pick of a soda and chips.”

She thanked him and he then offered her enough other convenience foods to fill her purse. He tried to persuade her to take more, but she told him that she didn’t want to get him in trouble with his boss. I suspect she didn’t want to lug her loot home, uphill. I couldn’t believe she even accepted it. Whose son or daughter hasn’t been trained from birth to never, ever take goodies from strangers? I guess it’s only natural that as soon as they learn there are certain advantages to being polite, everything ‘mama said’ goes out the window along with the designer knockoffs.

It’s hard for some of us parents to acknowledge that by law, our daughters are old enough to choose the next president, when among the biggest decisions they have to make is which thongs will look the most appealing while sitting down in hip-hugger jeans. Choose the President of the United States, oh please! It’s hard enough for young ladies to choose a decent gentlemen caller. I had to tell one of my daughter’s boyfriends that I didn’t think it appropriate that on our first meeting, I knew what brand of undershorts he wore. Call me old-fashioned, but I’m one of those parents that is put off by boys who show up at the front door with their pants down and their intentions hanging out. I feel the same way about my politicians. But then, maybe I’m being too harsh. At least these boys are honest. I know what they want to do. With politicians, you can’t be too sure. Nixon swore he wasn’t “a crook.” Reagan couldn’t “recall” either his actions or inaction. Bush urged us to “read” his lips but ignore what he was saying. Clinton dared us to believe him, again. And the Junior Bush isn’t a real General; he just plays one on TV.

Consumers don’t always get what they pay for, just as voters don’t always get who they vote for. However, you always get what you deserve if you do nothing. I’m proud that my daughter and her peers want to vote in the election. I want them to be well informed when they cast their ballot. I hope they’ll be encouraged to read several different newspapers, watch independent cable news programs, listen to non-profit public radio stations, browse the Internet and communicate with other registered voters. Four years is a long-term commitment. I want these young women to be as confident in their choice of the next president, as they are when they choose who’ll be their next date.

Copyright 2004, Dorsetta Hale

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