'Girl power' and the female left

Nancy Pelosi doesn't skip a beat. When Rep. Gabrielle Giffords opened her eyes for the first time five days after the shooting in Tucson, who was at her side but Pelosi.

In describing the moment Giffords opened her eyes, Pelosi said, "We witnessed almost a miracle. We saw the power of prayer, the power of the effect of the excellence of her medical care, and we saw a little girl power, too. ..."

Translation: 1) Liberals are religious, too. 2) The new health-care plan is working great. 3) Feminism is alive and well.

This last comment is priceless. Only the female left can take a perfect anomaly – the shooting of a politician by a madman – and make it about female empowerment. This should demonstrate to Americans, in no uncertain terms, that feminism is the driving force among women on the left.

Phyllis Schlafly, the original "anti-feminist," teams up with Suzanne Venker in a tour-de-force defense of traditional womanhood – don't miss "The Flipside of Feminism: What Conservative Women Know – and Men Can't Say"

TRENDING: Is this what you voted for, America?

Everything else – terrorism, tragedy, you name it – comes second to the notion of women getting their due. "The Tucson tragedy has caused us as a nation to reflect on civility, the wonders of modern medicine and the power of our collective prayers. But what about 'girl power'? What does women's leadership mean for our country?" writes philanthropist Barbara Lee.

That there aren't more women in public office, says Lee, proves women are victims of societal stereotypes. "Women candidates struggle to prove toughness while maintaining likability," writes Lee. "Out of the 535 seats in Congress, only 90 are held by women – calling into question whether voters value the qualities that women bring to elected leadership."

Calling into question nothing, Ms. Lee. There aren't more women in public office because most women have no desire to do the work necessary to win elections – drive thousands of miles, shake hundreds of strangers' hands, eat third-rate chicken suppers and attend political meetings every night and weekend. Most women don't want to subject themselves to political attacks that impugn their integrity and probe into their personal lives and finances. Most importantly, most women want to be with their kids.

We're sorry women on the left feel differently, but that is not society's problem.

Of course, feminists don't accept that personal matters aren't society's problem. To them, everything is society's problem. That's why they want women in the forefront of politics: to change society. According to Lee, Americans want representatives who care about the average American – and those qualities "are more visible in women elected leaders."

Translation: Men don't care. Men are out for themselves and have no ability to relate to people. Women, on other hand, do care. Women are good. Women are altruistic. Women are only in politics for the sake of others.

The sheer fallacy of this argument notwithstanding, what these female Democrats will never say – though it's precisely what they mean – is that it's not just women who they believe know best. It's left-wing women. The only Republican women feminists will allow in the club are pro-choice candidates who believe American women are oppressed – women like Susan Bevan, co-chair of Republican Majority for Choice:

"A woman's right to control her own body is absolutely central to our success as a civilization. The world's most oppressive regimes target those who would liberate women from the shackles of ignorance or bondage. This includes reproductive 'bondage' – and parallels can be drawn in our own country."

The message couldn't be clearer: When it comes to girl power in America, right-wing women need not apply.

Suzanne Venker is co-author of the new book "The Flipside of Feminism: What Conservative Women Know – and Men Can't Say" (WND Books). Her website is www.suzannevenker.com.