You can read my thoughts about it here but for a teaser, here’s what I actually left out (until I added an addendum), so you can just imagine what I included:
The environment and energy: For progressives, probably a bad year, capped off with the TVA disaster that Kim Pearson wrote about here. And it’s getting worse. On the other hand, with energy, maybe not so bad a year, in that the conversation has intensified due to record high gas prices this summer and I would even venture to say the prominence of Alaska in the presidential race. How have women figured in the debate and the solutions?
Science: Think of research, space exploration, innovation.
Education: Wow – cannot believe I left this one out! But then again, the progressive desires in education aren’t so clear cut (or, maybe they’re better described as conflicting), other than a commitment to education for all and eliminating the achievement gap. Higher education, early education. A major bill was passed that put some good incentives in place for higher ed and work in more public-service-oriented professions, but there’s no appropriation for it at this time.
Military: another wow I can’t believe I forgot this. The presidential election helped focus on getting out of Iraq and it seems that while that goal may in fact get accomplished (and was pushed further this year than in previous years), the problem is that we’re now going to be on more fronts. This will be a big issue to watch. Here’s a good post by BlogHer speaker and expert Lorelei Kelly, Boomers: The Iraq War and Your Second Chance at Democracy that demonstrates progressive activism at its best.
State legislatures: I even wrote about this one on BlogHer! The New Hampshire senate is now a majority female legislative body. There’s been some fascinating debate about whether the fact that the legislators are only paid $100/year (you read that right) increases, decreases or leaves untouched the significance of the accomplishment.
Women’s eNews: just this morning publishd a top 10 news stories article which you can read here.
I just thought of yet another one: kids and health insurance – SCHIP failed and that hits families hard.
