Palin is a problem

Palin's history
Steven Wu

Issue date: 9/22/08 Section: Opinion
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McCain's Vice Presidential running mate, Alaskan governor Sarah Palin, is being endorsed as a "pro-family" and "pro-women" candidate, but recently investigated statistics may suggest otherwise. Alaska has a negative reputation for abuse cases, making Palin's state one of the "most dangerous places in the country for women and children" (Rood, ABC News). It has the highest number of forcible rapes per capita compared to the rest of the United States. Most people consider the state of assault and abuse an epidemic, including Palin. However, her history reveals her lack of initiative in tackling the problems.

State troopers are the ones that respond to domestic violence calls, however there is insufficient funding to support the troopers. Frequently, only one trooper is available to respond at any given time, but two are required. Organizations for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault seem very low on Palin's priority list, where as oil and gas rank very highly. Although 2% of the current budget was allocated for victim assistance, extra money would not go to prevention of the crimes. It also cannot ensure "accountability of offenders" as stated by a panel investigating the situation. In her defense, the director of an abused women's group said Palin has played an active role in speaking out against domestic abuse.

The state legislature proposed a multi-million dollar plan to take care of offenses within the state, however, the governor's office postponed the commencement. Later, the most adamant supporter of the policy was fired after deciding to not dismiss a trooper who Palin said threatened her family.

Republican state legislators have filed a lawsuit against the Democratic Party, trying to prevent them from investigating whether or not Palin violated her power in firing Commissioner Walt Monegan.

These actions sum up to a very questionable candidate; one who claims to be a strong advocate of women's rights, but seems to have turned her back on problems that affect women in her state. Seeing this, it is hard not to question what her true intentions for Vice President are and whether she can really be trusted. Would she fire someone else or manipulate the situation and her power to try and mold things to her will? This is for us, as voters, to decide on our own.