The world lost one of its most influential political figures of the twentieth century today as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher fell victim to a stroke at the age of 87.
During her time as Britain’s head honcho, the country saw radical changes in policies and a shift to a much more conservative, belt-tightening form of governing. Under her guidance, Britain saw an economic revival, of which, we as Americans would currently welcome.
As I thought about how Thatcher had influenced the world, I became curious about how many women were currently heads of state in other countries. The answer to my question seemed to be roughly 28 countries currently have women as their top leaders.
I wish that America was nearly as forward thinking as we pretend to be, but the reality is that we are decades—and steam rolling toward a century—behind many other nations in acknowledging women as equals in all respects.
I’m not trying to get into an argument about the physical differences between men and women, most are obvious. My point is that women are just as capable of leading a nation to prosperity as men and many probably more so.
To be brutally honest when I look at America past and present, I personally still see the political systems in this country as a good-ole boy network. This, to me, is shameful in the least and borderline criminal. Women in this country have been trivialized and marginalized for far too long, and I for one, believe it’s time that they get a crack at solving some of the biggest problems facing the world today.
I would love, if my daughters asked me, if I thought that someday they could be president of the United States, to be able to look them dead in the eye—and mean it—and say to them: “Yes, because this is America the land of opportunity.”
Merely Mindless Musings 
Mr. Fuller, I think the answer that you are looking for; the reason woman have not been held as men’s equal; the reason America is not the great forward thinkers that you would think we should be it. The answer is religion. Religions have from the start of time held women back. How can you teach your daughters that they can do anything in life when the church tells them that they will never be equal to man. Can you name a widely accepted religion that lets women be as high as man? I can’t. And the fact is America is a religious country. Our laws are based off of religious values. Why is gay marriage such a big deal? It doesn’t hurt any. But it is against God’s law so it must be against America’s law. We are no better than the taliban. They at least make their true views and values upfront to the people. America lies to our woman. We tell them that they are equal and can do anything they want, but the truth is they can’t.
Your daughters will probably see a female President. But you should ask yourself will they ever see a female Pope? A female leader of the Mormon church? Could they ever even take over your local church? Probably not my friend. So think long and hard about this. Are you doing your daughters any good taking them to church on Sunday or telling them to believe in a man made religion that forces women to be subservient?
Posted by Anonymous | April 9, 2013, 10:39 amI have actually seen several female pastors. It is highly unlikely that we will see a female Pope, but I am not into slamming someone’s views just because they don’t necessarily match my own. Is the gay out cry really about love, or all the benefits (insurance, property rights, and the other assorted rights afforded to married people) that shouldn’t be tied to married people anyway?
Posted by Todd Fuller | April 9, 2013, 11:15 amSeveral female pastors? I have seen none and research has only shown a few established religions that allow it and most of those are practiced more outside of America. Why is religion off limits to you? You slam political views why go easy on the church? The catholic church is a mockery of an institution. Soak it in catholics. It is wealthier than most countries. But yet it keeps the poor poor. It protects its priest from crimes. It will never hold woman as equals in the church or in homes. The Mormons. What to say. Another great example of keeping women in their place. Oh sure they can speak during church and they can be missionaries but they will never rise up in the church like the men. And a good Mormon woman knows her place in the home. Cook, clean, have kids. But here is the thing about all this. Its what they want. And that is okay, I guess. We don’t question their choice so why are we questioning a man’s choice to marry a man. Is it about love or is it for the benefits, what does it matter. Why should society be able to stop two people from getting married. Heterosexuals have been messing up the institution of marriage for a long time but we never question a man and woman who want to get married.
Posted by Anonymous | April 9, 2013, 4:20 pmYou’re inferring and assuming a lot from my statements. Several Protestant churches allow pastors to be women. I’ve seen several Methodist and Presbyterian churches. The word several does not imply a majority.
Posted by Todd Fuller | April 9, 2013, 7:30 pm