Oct 17, 2008 posted by Linda Basch 
Today I posted an op-ed over on CNN.com [2], titled "What About Jane Plumber?" Here is how it begins: "The all-too-familiar talking points of the candidates reverberated through the air waves for a third and last time on Wednesday, but one key voting constituency was missing from the debate, namely, Jane Plumber, and, more specifically, Jane's retirement funds. As the bottom falls out of the stock market, the housing market plummets, and sub-prime mortgages put many American voters—especially women—in a financial freefall, it is the federal safety net that they're depending on to cushion their landing. For swing voters, the majority of whom are older woman, this highly contentious election may come down to two often overlooked, make or break issues: Social Security and Medicare. So far, neither candidate seems to have woken up to the tough economic facts facing so many older women voters…." You can read the rest here [3]. I invite you to join in the lively debate that is taking place over there in comments. And our gratitude to Cindy Hounsell, President of the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement [4], for her post here [5] at The Real Deal earlier this week. Cindy's was a featured post over at the Blog Action Day 08 – Poverty site [6]. Together, let's keep this conversation going!