I agree with vistana that men and women are not presently "equal." I have a typical "woman in a man's world" job. My clients are mainly ranchers, oilmen, or blue collar, rough around the edges kind of guys. Very few women. And here I am... a woman, in my mid-twenties, and handling their money. So absolutely I had to prove myself. But I did. And now they respect me, know that I am always working in their interests, and they send all of their friends to see me as well.

I can do my job just as well as a man. But I do it differently. I will probably never close a deal on the golf course. And I don't have a problem with that.

I certainly question why we have to be more equal. Why can't men and women be content in their differences? There is truth to the saying "men hunt and women nest." I don't see a problem with that.

In our last federal election one of the major debates was whether or not we should start a national, taxpayer funded day care system. Even putting aside the money pit issue it would be, the entire concept is my worst fear realized. The idea is that it will encourage more women to work. But I strongly believe our society should be encouraging more women (and men) to devote their lives to their families.

I am frequently plagued with the question of how a family that easily survived on one salary fifty years ago now requires two to barely make ends meet. For me, the answer is clear. It costs a lot for a woman to work.

Factor in day care costs, increased transportation costs, a business wardrobe, lunches, additional grooming expense, convenience foods, and extras like cleaning ladies just so we can have an hour or two to ourselves, and does it really make sense to encourage this?

I am NOT saying that women shouldn't have careers. I have one myself. I do have a major issue with it being pushed as the only choice.

*sits back and waits for the flames*