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May 08, 2006
Curtis Adams Out of Touch with Women's Issues & Working Families
John Bailes Responds to Adams’ Remarks in Chattanooga Times Free Press—
Curtis Adams Out of Touch with Women's Issues & Working Families
With Mother’s Day fast approaching, I received numerous emails and phone calls from District 8 citizens discouraged by Curtis Adams’ remarks in Sunday’s Chattanooga Times Free Press. Both men and women were upset with Adams’ belief that wives should “stay home and cook” rather than run for county commission.
Mr. Adams’ comments on May 7 show that he is out of touch with working families. Mr. Adams apparently believes that women do not belong in public or business life, but at home. According to Adams, a husband could get angry if his wife isn’t at home doing housework and cooking supper—but especially supper, so that when the husband arrives, his meal must be prepared.
Mr. Adams must not be aware that most women in our county make a difference, every day—and not only in family life, but in business and public life as well. For example, Hamilton County women own 25% of area businesses. Women represent 53% of our county population. Almost 75% work outside the home. Many of these women work more than one job. Some of these women are single mothers.
As the next county commissioner of District 8, I will push for business growth and opportunity for all men and women. Furthermore, I will encourage all people to reach their potential by entering leadership roles in business and public life. Mr. Adams’ comments in Sunday’s paper show he is out of touch with the issues affecting our community—particularly women’s issues. We can no longer continue with the failed leadership of someone out of touch with our community.
It is obvious that “Adams Family Values” does not reflect Hamilton County’s real “family values.” Real families work hard every day. Real families come in all shapes and sizes. There are two-parent families where both parents work, single-parent families where one parent works two jobs, three-generation families where a grandparent assists or is assisted, and combined-step families where children move in and out.
Considering these facts, we need women on our county commission, in our courtrooms, in the legislature—taking active part in our government. Unfortunately, Mr. Adams believes women should “stay home and cook.” On the contrary, I believe women are invaluable to our community, and I believe that they must seek public office to help us create opportunities in education, in accountability for our county, and in economic development of our community.
Mr. Adams is out of touch with working families. He is out of touch with education. He is out of touch with business development. He is out of touch with women’s issues, with the issues facing us as a community—creating opportunities in education, creating opportunities for job growth, and creating opportunities for business growth in Hamilton County.
Unlike my opponent, I will stay in touch with working families as the next Hamilton County Commissioner for District 8. I will work tirelessly to make their lives better by supporting our schools, creating jobs, and seeking accountability in government. These are real family values for working families, the backbone of our community.
Mr. Adam’s recent comments clearly show that the time is now for change. I represent that change. The time is now for a new generation in leadership.
| By wjbailes | 11:13 AM
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Comments
For some time, I have known Curtis Adams for a boor, an obstructionist and for having his finger on the pulse of politics in 1953. Now I am convinced he is a dinosaur.
Regarding women on the County Commission, Ian Berry reports, “. . . Adams. . .doesn’t understand the gender disparity and wishes there were more women on the commission. But. . . it’s tough to run a household, spend time with children and serve in the position, he said. ‘If you’re a woman with a husband, he wouldn’t enjoy coming home with supper not cooked,’ Mr. Adams said.”
Adams is out-of-touch with reality. Women excel in many professional fields, too numerous to mention here. Women today are renowned for their political leadership and their professional competence as well as their domestic engineering. And men can appreciate the joys of home making. The fact that Adams can only see a woman tending to children, kitchen and hubby’s expectations speaks volumes about his vision: It’s focused backwards.
I don’t denigrate women who are home makers. I count myself among them.
I intend to vote for a candidate whose vision is based in reality and looks to the future. Not the fantasy land of June Cleaver.
Posted by: Kate Briere at May 8, 2006 01:52 PM
Ya think???
My husband and I shook our heads and laughed. I can't believe he said that in the 21st century, even if he believes it inside.
I have a trillion things to do (even when I wasn't working full time). Fixing my family supper is high on the list, but not what I would use to decide whether to work outside the home or not. My husband is a big boy. He can fix his own food. Even my son can make a sandwich. We have to be partners these days and share responsibilities.
I''m glad Curtis Adams is not my husband! I hope he's not my commissioner next year!!!
Posted by: Burdick at May 8, 2006 02:17 PM
I think what is more telling is that the people who do vote for Adams know about these ludicrous opinions and continue to elect him. This is a sad reflection on the population and mindset of the Hamilton County voters. Adams is ignorant and a bigot but so is everyone who votes for him, too.
Posted by: Carter at May 8, 2006 05:58 PM
John,
AS mentioned before, if you read it, the voters behing Adams are almost all over sixty (most in poor health) and with a two hundred year old mentality. These guys, the Christians, will not change because of your remarks.
Do not fear old farts. Think how you can get out a younger or different vote.
Cut your comments in half, bullet them and make a hand out.
There are many people who still do not know what District 8 is. Explain this along with what a county commisioner is and it may help.
Wade
Posted by: Wade at May 8, 2006 07:12 PM
John,
You are absolutely right. Once again, Curtis Adams has embarassed himself, he has embarassed the county commission, and, most importantly, he has embarassed his constituents in District 8. I am absolutely fed up with Curtis Adams. The time is now for change.
Posted by: Tom at May 8, 2006 10:31 PM
John,
Maybe Mr. Adam's problem is just that he doesn't know how to cook. We should take up a collection to get him some lessons. Who knows?This might be the career change he needs.
Posted by: Penny at May 9, 2006 05:20 PM
