As an adoptive mother I want to know why McCain announced this week that he is against allowing gay couples to adopt. Since he and Cindy are adoptive parents as well, I know they know just how many children in the world there are who need loving homes. Would he rather that these children stay in orphanages or be shuffled through the foster care system and be raised without families?

PunditMom, BlogHer Contributing Editor, Politics & News

Also at MOMocrats and The Huffington Post

I would like to know what both candidates think of the recent HHS proposal to redefine when pregnancy begins.  It notes that there are two views, one holding that pregnancy begins at conception and one that pregnancy begins at implantation and indicates that both definitions are acceptable, ignoring that both the AMA and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists define pregnancy as beginning at implantation.

The HHS report states:

Because the statutes that would be enforced through this regulation seek, in part, to protect individuals and institutions from suffering discrimination on the basis of conscience, the conscience of the individual or institution should be paramount in determining what constitutes abortion, within the bounds of reason. As discussed above, both definitions of pregnancy are reasonable and used within the scientific and medical community. The Department proposes, then, to allow individuals and institutions to adhere to their own views and adopt a definition of abortion that encompasses both views of abortion.

Under this definition, a health care provider could essentially determine that birth control pills equal abortion, refuse to prescribe it, and deny many women access to birth control, with the blessing of the federal government.

I read about this at http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2008/07/15/hhs-moves-define-contraception-abortion.

Lawyer Mama

http://lawyermama.com

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Recently, both candidates answered questions about their plans for economic policies that benefit women.

John McCain offered that women needed "more education" to receive equal pay for equal work.

Barack Obama offered the "Plan for Economic Security for America's Working Women."

I'd like both campaigns to talk about tax, childcare, working protections, and pay policies they would implement that would protect women and support families.

I'd especially like the Obama campaign to talk about how they believe their policy is feasible and an improvement over current policy.

Source: Article I wrote for MOMocrats, "Obama's new plan for working women set to provide economic security."

Julie Pippert

MOMocrats, Contributing Writer

Moms Speak Up, Editor in Chief 

Using My Words

Several studies have shown that early intervention programs for children with special needs significantly reduce costs for the public school system and the health care system over the long term. 

As the mother of a child with a sensory disorder, living in a state that recently saw drastic cuts in early intervention programs for kids with special needs, I'd like to ask both campaigns what they plan to do to improve access to special education services for children who would benefit from early intervention.

Jaelithe Judy

The State of Discontent

MOMocrats

I would like to know how  would the economic policies proposed by both candidates specifically address the needs of the 37 million Americans currently living below the poverty line, most of them women and children?  What programs would you propose?  What existing programs would you cut?  Please be specific.

Glennia Campbell

Managing Editor, MOMocrats.com

The Silent I

The economic news each day has been grim: Bernanke's report to Congress yesterday confirms that our economy is facing several "challenges."

For Senator McCain: Given the fallout from our mortgage and banking crises (which arose from total free market forces and not enough regulation of the banking industry), the implosion of the values of our homes, the rising cost of energy (which is fueling a scary trend towards inflation), the crumbling of our infrastructure and our growing national debt: Please explain how making the Bush tax cuts permanent is going to put our economy back on track.

For Senator Obama: Your platform includes many progressive goals that could provide relief for the lower and middle classes - but given the current economic trends, how are we going to pay for them?

For both candidates: What can we do in the short term to provide relief for families who are being squeezed by inflation, unemployment and unaffordability of health care? 

Donna Schwartz Mills

http://www.SoCalMom.net

http://www.MOMocrats.com

http://www.LAMomsblog.com

http://svmomblog.typepad.com/50somethingmoms/

http://careerkids.typepad.com

I'm curious as to what both candidates propose regarding improving health care in general, but particularly as regards the mental health community, because currently, it is severely lacking.  Do the candidates have any intention of requiring their social services cabinet member to implement an overhaul of federal standards on that issue?   (I'm curious, specifically, because I have a sibling whose poor mental health has driven him to become homeless, due to his having slipped through the cracks of the currently miserly mental health care system in the state of Oregon.)

I am an American, living abroad, and am quite honestly nervous about even thinking about returning to my home country any time soon.  Watching from the outside as the economy struggles while the Canadian dollar rises, living in a country that provides Universal Health Care while millions of Americans cannot afford basic health coverage, I have  seen first-hand how other countries are doing so much more for their citizens right now.  I would like to know what your plans for making America better for it's OWN citizens, not just a military strong-hold.  What is going to change that will make me WANT to come home?

Mr Lady www.whiskeyinmysippycup.com

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

I'd like to hear the plans from either side to increase the supply of affordable housing for the poorest in our nation, from the working poor to the chronically homeless, what subsidies and options will you be making available?

 Jen of one plus two and MOMocrats

to make sure their supporters don't just tune out after Election Day, and then get renergized 3 years later when the new campaign starts!

Obama: If you win, what will you do to sustain and put to work the incredible grassroots army you've built?

McCain: A lot of Conservatives and Republicans are angry and tuned out. What's the plan to rengage new Republicans who feel disowned by the Bush Administration? 

I'd like to know how the candidates are going to attempt to win women earlier in the game - women are notoriously undecided, late, swing voters. How will you get us interested sooner and hold our attention for the duration? 

emily

twelveinchteesquare.blogspot.com

Many of us have been stunned by President Bush's complete disregard and disdain for science.  We are horrified that he sees no use for the advisory role of scienfitic research.  What do the candidates believe about the role of science in advising the government on important decisions and policies?  How will the candidates be different in their use of/reception to science?    

Watch video tutorials at <a href="http://www.paperclipping.com">Paperclipping.com</a>.

I would like to know what the candidates are going to do to bring down our national debt.

I typed a long list of questions related to contraception and healthcare policy but something happened and my comment disappeared. Argh.

I want a straight answer about whether they feel that contraception is a healthcare right of women?  How should the right to patient care be balanced with the right to refuse care?  Do they know the rate of contraception use among sexually active women?  What is the difference between the so called "morning after pill" and the so called  "abortion pill?" What is the stance on sex education in public schools?  Okay, I'll stop now.  Thanks for the opportunity!

ours, Tracy Viselli (a.k.a. Myrna the Minx)

My Company

Reno Fabulous Media: www.renofabulousmedia.com
My Main Blog
Reno and Its Discontents: www.renodiscontent.com

The biggest problem facing our country is the fragile state of our Economy.  Small business provides 70% of all job creation, and is the primary source for the innovative technologies driving CleanTech, BioTech and Information Tech solutions for the betterment of our planet, and which provide the bulk of the tax revenues to pay for social programs. I'd like to hear from both candidates, what SPECIFIC programs they plan to stimulate small business, and to encourage private sector early stage investments in these companies. I'd also like to hear what programs they plan to improve math and science education to make our country's workforce more competitive for these vital jobs.

I know Senator Obama talks about sacrifices that need to be made and I totally agree. I'd like each candidate to address this issue and outline different areas where the American people can make sacrifices that can inpact the world:  energy, peace, relations in the world, healh & fitness (related to health care).

 I want to know whether either one will give us an appropriate family leave employment policy - 1 year is reasonable and appropriate - that will allow Americans to act in an humane way during life transitions like birth, elder care, adoption, illness, etc.

 I also want to know how McCain sees "the market" solving the healthcare crisis in America. 

 I also want to know how both sides are going to compromise on the abortion issue so we can lay the same old 35 year arguements to rest. Seems to me we could make some abortion boundaries that will reduce the numbers  - without compromising women's physical autonomy - if both sides stop being so extreme about it. For instance if Republicans would include a mother's health clause in all bills and Democrats would stop acting as if every single abortion boundary threatens to overturn Roe v. Wade. 

Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me

Blog Fabulous

adana.........you will know me by the burka i wear as we women are again sidelined, passed over and dissed by the minority of men. WAKE UP WOMEN !!!!!! 200+ years and not one president or vice president that is a woman??????????? How can AMERICA set any example with this embarrasing election? The world has another reason to laugh at AMERICA. They say Americans don't even like their women.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never thought I would see the day that I sit out an election but now I have............I expected to be dissed by right wing wacko republicans but not democrats even with Obamas wife being a militant woman we still get at least 4 more years of same ole same old by men........yadayada! old men talking about womens no-rights!!!! I am gaggin on it!!!!!!!!!!!! With this VP selection Obama just lost the race. His only hope was Hillary . I am in mourning and angry. So i will be one of the many women wearing a burka on election day and in Denver!!!!!!!!!!!