The fact that Sarah Palin chose to have Trig rather than have an abortion is not a problem for me. But it is also a fact that she had the choice and that her daughter had the choice. (I think it is a huge mistake for a 17 year old to have a baby even under the best of circumstances, but, again I do not have a problem with her decision.) The problem is that Sarah Palin would: 1) prevent other women from have the same choice she and her daughter had; 2) oppose comprehensive sex education (which might have prevented Britol Palin from having to choose in the first place). Studies show that when kids get all the information they need about sexual activity, STDs and birth control the generally have sex a year or more later than kids who have only been taught abstinence.

The other problem I have is the fact that Sarah Palin has a child with Down Syndrome yet decided to continue a career in politics and, now, run for VP. Politics and campaigning isn't just a 40 or even 50 or 60 hour a week job. It is pretty much 24/7. This has absolutely nothing to do with the so-called "Mommy Wars." Women can pursue high-powered careers and have children. This is about the unique challenges faced by families who have a child like Trig.

I think it is great that Palin's husband has been able to stay home and that the older children are helping with Trig (children with disabled siblings often develop wisdom and maturity beyond their years). But, as conservatives always remind us, 2 parent families are absolutely the best thing for children - children need 2 parents - a disabled child even more.

Children with Down syndrome require much, much more care and attention than children without such disability. Add to that the fact that Down syndrome children will require this care and attention for the rest of their lives. I have a dear friend who has a son with Down syndrome - he is now 20 and will live at home with his parents until they are gone. Since he was born she and her husband have made great sacrifices to care for him - both scaled back work (taking a financial hit in order to do so). Luckily, our school system has excellent special ed - not everyone is so lucky.

Given the challenges the Palins face I simply can't respect Sarah Palin's decision to pursue such a demanding career. It is not about a demanding career, per se, but about this particular career. Lawyers in a large law firm may work 60-70 hours a week. But at least they have some flexibility. They may choose a practice area that doesn't require them to travel much. They generally have the freedom to work at home as needed. They don't have to punch a clock so they can, for example, come in early and leave early or vice versa. (When my children were little my husband took himself off the partner track struck a deal where he went in at 7 am and left - most of the time - at 5:30 and where the firm lowered the number of billable hours expected; one kid is a jr in h.s., one a freshman in college; he made partner; it worked out - maybe not on the traditional timeline but it worked.) It is very difficult but it is doable.

There is very, very little flexibility in politics. It is a 24/7 job and it should be. It is a very difficult and demanding job: look at before and after pictures of Bush or Clinton or even Obama. I want a potential President male or female to be there to serve her or his country - this is the duty of anyone who asks the people to give her or him their trust and put the critical task of being a potential President in their hands.

Why can't Sarah Palin wait another 10 or 12 years? Her family challenges are too much now and I do not care how much support she has - Trig needs her. Why rush? Sarah Palin has probably another 20-25 years of working life ahead of her. There is no reason she needs to accomplish everything she wants to do in politics by the time she is 50. At each stage of our lives we are faced with unique challenges and obligations that require that we make choices. Mature and responsible people understand this.

I have no problem with the fact that Sarah Palin chose to keep Trig. I have a huge problem that she does not seem to understand his great needs. Which probably means that she doesn't understand the needs of other families with a child with a disability. And that means she probably sees no need to provide resources to those families. Her response might be: "Hey, I am super-woman, I am doing it all, suck it up, slacker and take care of your own damn child. Put your hand away."