women minds

Last week was highlighted by the debate between the Bo-tax debate and feminism.

Here are the highlights:

The beginning of it all:
A Tax on Nips and Tucks Angers Patients, Surgeons

“Ms. O’Neill (president of the National Organization for Women) said women commonly pay higher health insurance premiums and suffer wage discrepancies from men. “And now they are going to put a tax on middle-aged women in a society that devalues them for being middle aged?” she said.”

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Freelance writer Judith Warner’s article from the New York Times.
Bo-Tax Backlash

“I wonder if we haven’t entered into a period of what should be called “adjustment” feminism. The women’s movement is having to adjust to the realities of life in our culture, where many of its basic goals — including the very basic liberation of women from their pop culture status as a “mindless-boob-girlie symbol,” to borrow a phrase again from Robin Morgan — have stalled or are even backsliding.”

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From Salon, Kate Harding’s response to Judith Warner’s Bo-Tax Backlash article.
Feminist leaders decry the “Bo-tax”

“Access to affordable cosmetic surgery is not a feminist issue. What drives women to risk not only their financial stability but their lives, because being seen as plain or old or ugly in this society can be just that devastating to their self-esteem and career prospects, is the feminist issue here.”

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Laurie Essig’s essay addresses issues surrounding cosmetic surgery and class.
Why cosmetic surgery shouldn’t be taxed

“Like much of the health care reform being discussed, a tax on cosmetic surgery is unfair to women and unfair to the working class because they’re exactly who is not represented in Congress.”