THE HUSBAND WORE PANTS

I’m a bit disappointed that my wife did not get absentee ballots for us, that way I could’ve filled out both ballots exactly how I wanted them, a sort of two for one deal, a perk for being the head of household. Marriage, after all, is a sacred bond between man and woman, and I’m sure she would cherish and obey my opinions and decisions. Take Michigan’s Civil Rights Initiative, otherwise known as Proposal 06-2, which, if passed, would ban public institutions from giving preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin. Sounds good to me. My wife, I’m sure, would agree that I’m right, that this proposal needs passing.

I’m sure Tekla Dennison Miller, the first female warden of Michigan, would agree to no preferential treatment too, even if it is a man’s world out there. In July 1971, when she applied for a job as a probation officer in Oakland County, the white male interviewer asked her the following, “Are you on the pill?” and she readily replied, “Have you had a vasectomy?” Needless to say, her interview did not go as planned. The interviewer explained that he was only concerned about her availability for the job and continued, “We also would like to interview your husband,” and she countered, “I didn’t know that (he) applied for this position.” This is how Mrs. Miller’s book, “The Warden Wore Pink” starts out. She tells it like it is. According to her, because of affirmative action, women have made great strides in choosing career paths that at one time seemed impossible. Excellent book by the way; Know a few people in it too.

So, are you thoroughly confused about the ballot language and my stance on it? Let’s just say this: If I vote “yes” on the proposal I get to reinforce the idea that it’s a man’s world out there, (white man to boot) and if I vote “no” I’m saying we need to keep affirmative action as it is. Either way, it’s a two for one deal for me. As long as I keep my wife happy.

Michigan Voter Information