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This upcoming election is extremely important to me.  It should be important to all of us.  To that end, I have done a little research.  Okay, I did a LOT of research, and I’m asking you to take a few minutes to read what I’ve come up with, especially if you are wavering as to whom you will vote for in November, or know someone who is.  In that case, please forward this to them.  You might think it a bit lengthy, but hey, if you’ve taken the time in the last couple of days to read 5 or so Internet jokes that have been circulating, then PLEASE take the time to read this.  It’s much more important and the stakes in November are too high to be unaware of some of the most important legislation of the past few decades that has surely impacted your life, or that of a friend or loved one, in some way or another.  I might add that this year has also made me the most politically active I’ve ever been, on a local level as well, because I’m totally committed to helping achieve the change we so desperately need.  The following is one attempt, for what it’s worth. 

THANK A DEMOCRAT

IF you are a woman, and you are enjoying your right to vote, no matter how you vote, thank a Democrat.  Specifically, President Woodrow Wilson and the 65th Democrat-controlled Congress. The 19th amendment to the Constitution was ratified on Aug. 26, 1920.

IF you are a woman, and you are enjoying equal, or at least comparable pay as that of a man (admittedly there is more work to be done in this area), thank a Democrat.  Specifically, President John F. Kennedy and the 88th Democrat-controlled Congress.  The Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963 and it prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of gender by compensating workers differently for jobs that require equal skill, effort and responsibility.

IF you are a woman, a person of color, or have a national origin other than the United States and got into a school or got a job anyway, thank a Democrat.  Specifically, President Lyndon Johnson and the 88th Democrat-controlled Congress.  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964 and it was a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed racial segregation in schools, public places, and employment.  Conceived to help African-Americans, the bill was amended prior to passage to protect women, and explicitly included white people for the first time.  It also created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

IF you are a woman and you value your right to choose, whatever that choice is, thank a Democrat.  Specifically, the Democrat-controlled Supreme Court whose majority opinion on Roe vs. Wade was written by Justice Harry Blackman on January 22, 1973.  He was a Republican conservative who voted with the majority Democrats and then later “drifted left”.  Keep in mind, being pro-choice doesn’t mean you are pro-abortion.  It means you simply appreciate having a choice.

IF you are now, ever have been, (since 1978) or intend to be a pregnant woman who wants to seek employment or continue working in your current job, for your right to do so, thank a Democrat.  Specifically, President Jimmy Carter and the 95th Democrat-controlled Congress.  The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) was passed in 1978 and it prohibits discrimination against pregnant women in all areas of employment, including hiring, firing, seniority rights, job security, and receipt of fringe benefits.  The most controversial features of the bill have been those requiring employers who offer health insurance and temporary disability plans to give coverage to women for pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions.

IF you are a woman and you are now, or ever have been, (since 1994) a victim of violence and didn’t know where to turn, thank a Democrat.  Specifically, Senator Joe Biden, President Bill Clinton, and the 103rd Democrat-controlled Congress.  The Violence Against Women Act was introduced in Congress in January 1991 by Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, the same Joe Biden who