It is that time again.  For readers in the USA, I entreat you to get out there and vote for the candidate of your choice.

And as Shoeblog-appropriate motivation to do your civic duty, I post a link to this story from Reuters’ always-informative Oddly Enough blog.

A reader wrote in asking:

Blog Guy, I’ve seen some recent pictures of Sarah Palin’s shoes. My impression is that readers are very interested in the shoes of important women. Do you agree?

OK, first of all, I’m sure we could all answer with a resounding DUH!  Of course we want to know what the women in public power are wearing on their feet.  The men, too, of course, but (sorry guys) generally the women tend to have something more interesting to wear with those power suits.

The Reuters rep responds with the happy fact that they always have photographers manage to snap shots of women’s shoes in addition to the actual images of those ladies doing their thang.  And, as an example of this, he points to several photos recently taken of the uber-fashionable French First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and her chic shoes.

carla bruni-sarkozy shoes

Have to say that, not only are her shoes cute as (and sometimes adorned with) buttons—I’m seriously coveting those sandals at the lower right—but it’s great to see her wearing flats, too.  We’re so used to seeing heels as the symbol of a woman’s power, when really, the argument is just as strong that high heels are a way to disempower the lady.

Ah well, I’ll not bother with the whole feminist argument now (but you can get into it in greater detail over this way).  But I will say to our American readers, voting is the perfect excuse to wear your shoes of choice (cute, comfy, red/white/blue, whatever you want) in the name of patriotism and freedom of speech.

Go forth and vote!