Presidential Election 2012 — a Mom’s Guide
Photo Credit: Zimbio
Still unsure who you’ll vote for on November 6? Learn where Barack Obama and Mitt Romney stand on issues that matter to moms.
EMPLOYMENT
President Barack Obama stands for better pay for all, and equal pay for women. In 2008, he set a goal to increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $9.50 per hour by 2011, which he was unable to achieve. As for equal pay, the POTUS signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act in 2009, which aimed to give women more time to file wage-discrimination lawsuits. He also supported the Paycheck Fairness Act, which sought to make it easier for women to prove wage discrimination. This act has yet to clear both houses of Congress and was rejected for the second time by the Senate in June. He also hopes to create more employment opportunities by bringing jobs back to America, as opposed to shipping them overseas.
Former Governor Mitt Romney has yet to take a stance on the issue of equal pay. In most statements, he says he supports what he refers to as “pay equity” but believes there needs to be more jobs first. He hopes to create open markets and expand free trade with foreign countries, which would allow Americans to participate in more business opportunities. In addition to making changes at the civilian level, he also plans to make some adjustments at the federal level. He plans to reduce taxes, spending, regulation and government programs in hopes of improving the economy and creating more jobs.
EDUCATION
Romney thinks there needs to be better — not more — teachers in the schools in order to improve America’s academic performance. Romney wants schools to recruit the best candidates and then evaluate the teachers to make sure they continue to meet educational standards. He is also a firm proponent of standardized testing, and as governor of Massachusetts, he required high school students to pass a standardized test to graduate. That being said, he doesn’t feel education is something that can be handled at the federal level; rather, it should be handled state-to-state. His biggest proposal for public education, however, deals with disadvantaged and disabled students. If elected, Romney would allow these students to enroll in a public school outside of their district to better suit their needs. The federal government, using money that’s currently distributed through Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, would subsidize the tuition.
Obama feels schools should be rewarded for high performance. During his term, he implemented Race to the Top, an initiative that awards points to states whose schools satisfy reform criteria, such as implementing innovative performance-based standards, complying with nationwide standards, promoting charter schools, and attracting and keeping good teachers. Since Race to the Top was launched, 46 states have come up with comprehensive reform plans, 34 of which have modified their laws. Obama also acknowledges that there is not one plan that fits all schools. Because of this, he has given states the flexibility to create their own ambitious plans for reform, relieving them of restrictive No Child Left Behind mandates.
LGBT RIGHTS
Obama made history in 2012 as the first sitting president to publicly announce his support for marriage for same-sex couples. The POTUS has also been very active in helping the LGBT community achieve equal rights. In 2010, he signed the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The following year, he announced his support for the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that would allow married same-sex couples the same federal rights and protections as straight couples, such as Social Security benefits, hospital visitation and medical decision making.
Romney has said he supports equal employment rights for members of the LGBT community. He also does not have a desire to reverse the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. However, he believes marriage is an institution between a man and woman, and should stay that way.
HEALTH CARE
Romney has had some experience with health care reform too. During his time as governor, he passed the Massachusetts health care insurance reform law. This law required nearly every resident of Massachusetts to obtain a state-regulated minimum level of health care insurance coverage. Residents earning less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level were also required to receive health care insurance at no cost. Romney believes that health care should be dealt with at the state level and would want to repeal many elements of Obamacare to make this happen. However, he has also said that if he’s elected, some sort of provisions that provide coverage for Americans with preexisting conditions and that extend family policies for adult children will be included in his plan.
Obama made health care the main focus of his 2008 campaign. Two years later, he implemented the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (also known as Obamacare), which will expand coverage to over 32 million Americans by the time it’s scheduled to go into full effect in 2014. The provision of the law requiring free coverage of contraceptives, breastfeeding supplies and screenings for gestational diabetes, sexually transmitted infections and domestic violence, as well as routine checkups for breast and pelvic exams, Pap tests and prenatal care, went into effect in August. This new mandate applies to almost 47 million women in the US.
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
This January, Obama reaffirmed his commitment to a woman’s right to choose on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. In a statement on the issue, Obama noted that the ruling “not only protects a woman’s health and reproductive freedom, but also affirms a broader principle: that the government should not intrude on private family matters.” Around the same time, the Obama administration also announced that, with the exception of churches and other places of worship, all employers must provide full birth control coverage to female workers.
While some have said Romney is completely pro-life, he says it’s not that simple. In an August 2012 interview with CBS, the Republican nominee clarified his stance on the issue, saying he is “in favor of abortion being legal in the case of rape and incest, and the health and life of the mother.” He has, however, pointed out that he would want to remove federal funding for Planned Parenthood, as it provides abortions for reasons he does not consider right.
Which candidate will you vote for?
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It is unfortunate that this site posts articles like this which are clearly liberal. I think most women come to the bump to share and learn about motherhood not political advise. A shame I have to unlike this page now as I do not want to be bombarded with liberal politics.
I completely agree and was thinking the same thing while reading it. The way it’s written is clearly one sided and leaves out A LOT of important points. I just recently found out I was pregnant and was hoping this site would be a great place for me to read about all that I have coming my way, but unfortunately this is not the kind of place I thought it was.
The Bump should get its priorities straight and focus on what it’s name says it’s about.
Mariel, I completely agree! And, yes–this is completely bias toward Obama. I don’t have time to go through all the examples, but the word choices and issues highlighted speak for themself.
Mariel, how is this liberal? It’s completely factual, not opinions. There was no bashing of either candidate, just straight facts of what each candidate has accomplished in the past, and wants to continue to accomplish in the future.
And considering each of the issues this article touched on has to do with health care, education, and economy (all of which are important to moms and expecting moms), I think this article was completely appropriate.
“has had some experience with health care reform too” statements like this down play the realistic work Romney has accomplished here in MA. This is a blogger, not a fact checker or a news organization. Bottom line the bump should stay out of politics. The site has enough trouble with the mommy wars we don’t need other polarizing issues all over a site for support to mothers.
not like all news associations give you completly factual information. News crews do tend to have a one sided opinion and push their ideals on viewers. This was a good article and related to information I would like to hear. Thanks for the facts. and this is a great site to get information on your pregnancy very good information.
I AGREE!
I MENT I AGREE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PRO THIS ARTICLE POLITICS ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND MOTHERS ESPECIALLY SHOULD BE AWARE WHAT IS GOING ON! ALOT OF WOMEN FOUGHT VERY HARD SO WE WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOICE OR OPINION ON THESE THINGS AND VOTE! AND WHERE IS THERE ANYTHING BIAS IN ANY PART OF THIS ARTICLE? IT SIMPLY STATED FACTS AND SAID NOTING BAD ABOUT EITHER ONE! I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THIS ARTICLE ENJOYED IT MUCH MORE THAN WHAT CELEB IS HAVING A BABY, WEARING SPENDING ON THERE KIDS SHOES BLAH BLAH BLAH! THIS RIGHT HERE IS GOOD STUFF!!!!!!!
What Mariel said. This is a clearly BIASED review of the issues. Badly done. Stay out of politics. I don’t come to this site for political information, thank goodness, since you obviously have an agenda.
The reason this comes across as biased to informed readers is because it lays out “accomplishments” and goals without any nod the the EFFECTS of said “accomplishments”. Raising minimum wage decreases employment opportunities (it’s math, if an employer can afford $100,000 a year on employees and all of a sudden has to pay everyone more then the number of employees has to decrease for him to stay in the black); Obama passed PPACA which will increase healthcare costs (and already is) and again will decrease employment opportunities (also simple math). Furthermore, you can’t vote for an inbumbent based solely on what he says he wants to accomplish; you HAVE to look at what he’s done and that is not fully covered here. Unemployment didn’t start going down until Obama overturned Welfare reform removing the requirement of those on welfare to continue looking for work (so the number dropped because PEOPLE STOPPED LOOKING FOR WORK, not because so many more people found work); annual median income is down; gas prices are up; healthcare costs are going up (re: PPACA); the list goes on.
And if these issues are so “important” to mothers and families, then why don’t mothers take the time to research them thoroughly. They have time to come here and visit the forums and read the articles; isn’t our country’s and our children’s future more important than that? Sure you can find out if your child’s symptoms are anything serious; but, you can also do that (and more efficiently, I might add) on other websites.
I will concede that the LGBT and abortion sections seem fair. I really think the article is incomplete more than anything and it’s what’s left out that makes Obama come out looking prettier than the reality.
I completely agree. No more Bump for me. Too bad, because the motherhood info is great. This is not where I am interested in anything political. Shame on you, Bump!
Great article stating the FACTUAL views of each candidate. I see no bias in the information. THANK YOU for posting this! I believe every mother should be even more interested in this information and appreciate the simply put info that I am concerned most about being available here.
the bump should stay out of politics. I come here for the mothering support not for my views to be swayed by a bias blogger who the bump advertises as “a mom’s guide.” If more stuff like this pops up i wont be coming back to the bump thats for sure.
It’s unfortunate that people who come here for wonderful motherhood topics and advice feel it necessary to judge a site based on one political article that is written factually and not the opinion of the author. If you’re not interested in politics or how they can affect your family then don’t read the article. I’m a mom of two and regardless of my political views find it appropriate for a site that deals with family issues to incorporate a snippet about what’s going on in the world.
Well said! I am baffled why people are crying about an article they don’t like… don’t read it then. The great thing about the internet, is you can control what you read and don’t read. If you don’t like or want the information then close the page. Good grief!
The Bump needs to drop the pro-Obama liberal bent. This is a mother/parenting website.
If the author of this article is promoting this as a non-biased review of the ‘facts’, she needs to check her agenda at the door,so to speak, and truly research what both sides believe, not just the main stream media talking points. Poorly excecuted article.
I applaud the bump for giving an unbiased statement of each candidate’s platform on the issues that most affect women and mothers. Many women won’t take the time to go to ‘political sites’ in order to educate themselves and I think that knowing where each side stands on these issues is completely appropriate for a site that has always sought to bring forth and discuss all issues that affect us as women and mothers. I am fairly sure that the election of the government of the United States falls under the subject heading as something that may affect women and children. It is this type of ‘lets keep things separate and lets not address any issue that is political’ that leads to the interest of many citizens in their own democracy. I’m also unsure why some people are convinced this is liberal agenda? I think that the author did a good job of showing the strengths and weaknesses of each side. Why would someone be unhappy with an author simply stating Romney’s platform on these issues?
This article is factual. The facts just happen to show that Obama is more favorable to issues that matter to women and mothers. The Bump isn’t taking sides–it’s presenting the facts on important issues to its audience. Romney supporters need to realize their candidate just doesn’t have their best interests at heart.
AND TO JENNIFER I AM PRO ROMNEY I ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE IT MADE ME EVEN MORE PRO ROMNEY JUST BECAUSE THERE NOT BASHING OBAMA DOSENT MAKE THEM PRO OBAMA. THIS ARTICLE WAS NOT BIAS IN ANY WAY IN MY OPINION!
Right. No matter which one you’re voting for, reading their platforms doesn’t constitute bias. These are just statements by topic; they’re not even opinions. if you want to read something opinionated and biased, I can write something for you.
Politics, especially Presidential elections, can lead to big changes. Considering most of us on this site have way more on their plates and might not have time to watch all the debates or sift through article after article, this, in my opinion, was a great post. I’m glad the Bump has taken some of the most important issues to moms in this country and gave a ‘break down’ of where each candidate stands. Thank you to The Bump
Leah, clearly you are biased. If you are going to put a political article out, which I dont think this website is the place for that, then atleast be fair. Unfortunately Obama supports abortion which as we all know is taking the life of an unborn child. So sad. It is sad to me that I come to a baby websote hoping for it to be pro-woman, pro-child and pro-life yet I am very dissapointed. i will not be back to the bump again.
How is this bias? I am liberal, pro-Obama, and found the Romney stuff to be much more favorable than he really is. This is a great article for people to read, it highlights some important issues and where differences may be between the two, that’s all. Thank you to The Bump!
I have read most of the replies above and am quite sad for some of the readers, unfortunatly life is not about pretty little things. I personaly dıd not find the article political intsead quite filtered and factual, I am writing from Turkey were we cannot simply get straight information. Please concider yourselves very lucky and dont forget as mothers WE must choose the right person for the future of our children
This article absolutely belongs on a mothering/parenting website. I found the article was factual, not biased to either Republicans or Democrats. I agree that it did make Romney more appealing than I had previously thought. Kudos to Ms. Rocketto and The Bump. If you do not want to read a political article on The Bump then don’t click on the obviously Political titles on the links.
I agree!
Amen, Jodi!
I come on The Bump to escape the news. I really don’t need this website presenting me with more facts on the election; if I want the facts I will watch the news. I think The Bump needs to keep it simple and light. Leave the politics out especially!
Thank you! This was a well thought out and un-biased view of the issues you deemed important to mothers and moms-to-be.
I think this article was great , I am not American , but that is very important who is going to be the next president . For the whole world .
Hope mums will be doing the good decision . I would not like to see any mums or babies on this site to get hurt 
And you know what ? I really surprised what I was reading .:)
I’m a conservative, and I’m very young, so I tend to find myself on the defense, because lets face it, a lot of people my age (early 20s) identify themselves as liberals because it’s the popular thing to do, not because it represents what they believe (NOT EVERYONE, but a large number). However, despite being a conservative on the defense, I did not find this article biased towards either candidate, and certainly not biased towards Obama. Maybe at first glance on the first issue, but really, not at all.
I do agree with Amanda on the point that the effects of the accomplishments should have been included, but that goes for both sides, not just Obama. Even though I’m VERY conservative, I definitely don’t think that Romney is perfect by any means.
I think its great that The Bump put up this article. In terms of politics, it actually was fairly light reading, and I think it’s important for women to be able to learn about candidates in a low-pressure, easy to understand setting. It was short, sweet, and to the point. Great job to the author!
This article should be removed… totally and utterly biased. This site is for mothers and motherly advice, not to sway someone to vote for Obama (which is what this article was clearly written to accomplish!). Ridiculous…
Very disappointed in the bias slant this article took. I actually thought it would be a good resource for undecideds. Please consider removing article & replacing with a more objectionable and fair one.
Shame on those of you who feel that this article has no place on this website, of course it does! If you want to bury your head in the sand and not pay attention to issues that directly affect the world in which you are raising your children, then go for it, don’t click on the link. Frankly, this article makes me like this website even more! I’ve had enough of the advice from celebrity moms posts. Thank you Leah, well done!
I followed this link to see what topics were important to other mothers. I totally agree this article is liberal-sided, and I am neither a Democrat or Republican. How about we talk about more important issues, such as when is any President we elect going to label GMOs? When is a President we elect going to stop allowing big corporations to control our entire country? Whenever that happens, please let me know.