Swimming Pools and Politics: The YWCA
I amused myself by spending a few moments delving into the national YWCA website. I have heard from many women hereabouts in New England complain that the YWCA, which many of them frequent, has had its national HQ co-opted by political purposes and goals extending far beyond the health and spiritual well-being of American women. They love the pool and the Yoga classes, but - almost sounding like union members - they are dismayed what is being done with the part of their dues that goes to the national HQ - some of which appears to go towards leftist political "advocacy." They even have a thing called "congressional watch."
It is a stated goal of the national Y to "empower women," (whatever that means) but these ladies feel truly helpless and disempowered by a national HQ with a political agenda. Eg: "There's nothing we can do about it, but it's the best pool around."
Here's a sample of what I learned: The Y takes the official position of opposing partial "privatization" of Social Security, which seems nutty to me - what a boon that would be for working women. The Y supports extending affirmative action. (How it can be extended is beyond me - see Moonbat for the latest example of the employment problems in owning a penis.) The Y supports "immigrant rights," which I assume but do not know for certain probably means illegal immigrant rights. The Y opposes racial profiling by law enforcement, which seems crazy in a time of Jihad and which has nothing to do with women. I notice, interestingly but somewhat surprisingly, that they have not dared take a pro-abortion position. But are they officially "troubled" by Judge Robert's nomination? You bet. Is YWCA-USA an organization with a political agenda? You bet.
My conclusion: Locally, a fine and useful and handy organization full of dedicated employees and volunteers and hard-working board members, and an important resource for abused women - but nationally, a Lefty political organization. Is it paranoid to call this one more example of Marx's "long march through the institutions"?
My question: To the local Ys - why send any $ to the national HQ? To what extent are the pools and Yoga classes and local good deeds being used as a fund-raising tool for a political agenda? I don't know any more than what I see on their site, but I'd like to learn. And I wonder whether all the ladies at the Yoga classes know that part of what they pay is being used to pursue a political agenda in Washington, with which they might strongly disagree.
Update: Have email from an ex-local board member that YWCA-USA - the national board - absconded with the entire YWCA endowment, moved from NYC to DC, and that now dues go to the regional HQs. So it looks even worse, to me. I guess that means that the national is no longer dependent on the locals? More info, please...I know half the world is on vacation, but half my life is a vacation, and a nice one, too. Organize your life so you can love it, as The Analyst always says, unless your discontent comes from within.
