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Alison Skirtboston

Skirt! Boston editor

Skirt! is evidence that the universe is paying attention: I spent the last six years at mach speed, whether finishing college (Emerson) while writing full time for Boston Globe West (2001-2004) or editing the Boston Parents’ Paper during the day while holding down the steady gig writing for Globe ...

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More Serious than Finances

­Our knickers are in a twist over the national financial crisis, but we can’t afford to lose sight of real issues on the table in the presidential race. I was reminded last night that we’ve seen “critical” drops on Wall Street before (never so precipitous, but stocks have never been as high, either), but each time the markets recovered (consider Black Monday, Oct. 19, 1987, for instance, which was followed by years of unprecedented growth).

While Congress dithers with a buyout/bailout plan that only marginally affects most of us, the clock is ticking toward our presidential election. 

Most importantly, the right to choose is at stake for women, according to statements made by candidate John McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin. According to his own web site, johnmccain.com, he'd like to overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to decide when, whether and how to allow abortions.

 The next president will also likely appoint several Supreme Court justices, which will affect the tenor of  the country (fundamentalist or free speech?) for years to come.

This should be a wake-up call to those who feel uncommitted, disinterested or apathetic about voting. Along with concern for the young men and women being sent into Iraq years after President Bush declared “victory” in 2003 (and for my own brother, who’s scheduled to return for a year there as a National Guard medevac pilot) I just read a great article in the Boston Phoenix about getting an abortion that motivates me even more. Read it here: thephoenix.com/Boston/News/68790-I-had-an-abortion/ The article details a mundane abortion had by an average young woman at college in Boston. It made me think of my own daughters, and of the women who had to drop out of school in the past and accept a lesser role in society and their own lives because choices were not available. I don’t want to revisit those years, so I will be voting.

Are you registered to vote? Use ­this link to find out how to register in your state. It’s as easy as filling out a postcard. Many states will allow you to vote absentee (by mail) if you plan to be away for business or at college on election day.