Excerpt from Wendell Berry's poem, Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front
It's a kind of reverse sexism, I know, but I really do think, along with Wendell Berry, that women tend to be better creatures than men. Let's just mention, for example, that companies run by female CEOs tend to be more profitable, that matriarchal societies are less violent, and that philandering is rare among female politicians. Sexual philandering, that is. Financial philandering may be another story, especially judging by the latest moves of the LePage administration in Maine, as reported by Colin Woodard
First, the Maine legislature is about to legalize the sale and use of fireworks, thanks apparently to the work of Ann Robinson, chief lobbyist for the industry. Ms. Robinson also serves as the Governor's special advisor on regulatory reform even as she continues to lobby for numerous companies, and was co-chair of his transition team.
Then we have Patricia Aho, just appointed as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (the previous appointee was a developer whose business conflicts forced him to resign). Five months ago, Ms. Aho was still principal lobbyist for the chemical industry.
I suppose women are equally entitled to lord it over, rake it in, and share the spoils of government as men have been doing for centuries. Their talents as lawyers and shadow-writers of legislation and biceps sockers and arm twisters should be equally recognized. Who am I to judge what circumstances of poverty or discrimination motivate Robinson and Aho? I just wish they would practice their testosterone in New Jersey or Florida, far away from us romantics who believe in heroic women.
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