I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find it scary that I live in a country that is so misogynistic that the citizens would prefer to elect a goat for President rather than a woman. The fact that the population is 52 per cent women should clinch it but it doesn’t look that way. Which is another thing that scares me.

I admit that this election has me thinking with my heart as much as my head but, you know, it’s our turn, damn it. After centuries of men messing up, don’t you all think it’s time for a woman to try it?

She couldn’t do worse and maybe, just maybe, she’d do better. Most of the major European countries, including Germany, have had women leaders. France being a notable exception, which, of course, shouldn’t surprise me. Even a few Islamic countries have had them. How’s that for irony?

It’s been said that women are too emotional. I bet no one would have had the nerve to say that to Queen Victoria who ruled Britain during the height of the Empire and who wept and wore black for 50 years after Albert died. Maybe emotional isn’t all bad.

Personally I’d rather see my President have a good cry than carry on with the “boys will be boys” philosophy but do we really need all that testosterone in government? Doesn’t it just cause endless conflicts?

Women are not soft. Women raise those strong men that have been taking care of business. First of all they carry and give birth to them. I know it’s a cliché but I’d really like to see just one man do that. Most men are completely helpless when they have a cold, God forbid they’d have to go through labor. Believe me, natural childbirth would have gone the way of the mastodon.

A woman will protect her child from wild dogs. Why would anyone imagine she would do less for her country? She might yell shrilly while she does it but, hey, so did the Indians when they got the best of Custer and no one ever accused Sitting Bull of being too emotional to lead.

Everyone says they are fed up with politics as usual. If they really wanted things to change, they’d take a chance here. Everyone says they want someone with experience. What better experience than living in the White House for eight years?

I think I know what the problem is. If Hillary does a credible job, more women will go out there and run for office. Then who will iron the shirts?

Carolyn O’Daly is a freelance writer who lives in Katama.