I recently heard about a blog posting asking why Janesville and its leaders should be concerned with diversity. There are ways to answer that some could dismiss as "liberal" abstractions about equality and justice (although I'd subscribe to most of them). My reply to that blogger would be along more practical lines:
1. Diversity is inevitable. The events of January 20th do not represent an anomaly or mistake.
2. Without new, varied and innovative inputs, most any system, species or community will become static and decline, ultimately heading towards extinction (e.g. hemophilia, guillotines, and WW1, if you're European royalty). Okay, that's a bit abstract, but objectively pretty much true.
3. Most times, people who feel excluded develop resentments against the dominant majority. These resentments can be real or imagined (how do you quickly answer someone who claims that because of his neighborhood, his street is the last to be plowed? It doesn't matter whether he's right or wrong). Dangerous infections of attitude result, which are passed down generations, and become more and more difficult to treat throughout a population.
3a. The infected attitudes in the excluded enclaves cost the entire
community: more crime and policing, infrastructure and property degradation, and the image/reputation of the community (both within and without).
4. By reaching out to minorities and the disadvantaged in tangible ways, community leaders can invite equity interest. Respect, pride and investment flow both ways. The absence of those attributes from either side equals returning to point three above. When people believe the community cares about them, they care about the community, and they contribute in tangible ways.
Dave Haldiman, Guest Columnist
Janesville
1.21.2009
1.12.2009
Pay Equity Legislation Moves in Congress
House Passes Pay Equity Legislation, Senate Next
Last Friday, January 9th, the House passed the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S.181) by a vote of 247-141 and the Paycheck Fairness Act (S.182) by a vote of 256-163. The Senate is expected to take up these bills this week. The YWCA strongly supports passage of both of these bills. Please call your senators and urge them to vote yes on these critical pieces of legislation and oppose any attempts to weaken them.
Action: Call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your United States Senators. You will have to make two calls; one to each Senator. To find your Senators click here.
Message: “My name is ____________ and I am a constituent. I strongly urge the Senator to vote yes on the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, including cloture votes. I also urge him/her to vote against any attempts to weaken these bills. Thank you.”
Background: The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act rights the wrongs done by the Supreme Court, regaining ground we've lost and ensuring that people who've been discriminated against can seek vindication.
The Paycheck Fairness Act would create stronger incentives for employers to follow the law as well as strengthen penalties for violations, strengthen federal outreach, education and enforcement, and prohibit retaliation against workers who ask about employers' wage practices.
Women tend to be hurt first and worst during economic downturns. Especially in these tough times, equal pay for equal work is a necessary step towards achieving economic security for all Americans. Together, the bills can help create a climate where pay discrimination is not tolerated, and give the new administration the enforcement tools it needs to make real progress on pay equity.
For more information about wage discrimination, please click here.
House Passes Pay Equity Legislation, Senate Next
Last Friday, January 9th, the House passed the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S.181) by a vote of 247-141 and the Paycheck Fairness Act (S.182) by a vote of 256-163. The Senate is expected to take up these bills this week. The YWCA strongly supports passage of both of these bills. Please call your senators and urge them to vote yes on these critical pieces of legislation and oppose any attempts to weaken them.
Action: Call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your United States Senators. You will have to make two calls; one to each Senator. To find your Senators click here.
Message: “My name is ____________ and I am a constituent. I strongly urge the Senator to vote yes on the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, including cloture votes. I also urge him/her to vote against any attempts to weaken these bills. Thank you.”
Background: The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act rights the wrongs done by the Supreme Court, regaining ground we've lost and ensuring that people who've been discriminated against can seek vindication.
The Paycheck Fairness Act would create stronger incentives for employers to follow the law as well as strengthen penalties for violations, strengthen federal outreach, education and enforcement, and prohibit retaliation against workers who ask about employers' wage practices.
Women tend to be hurt first and worst during economic downturns. Especially in these tough times, equal pay for equal work is a necessary step towards achieving economic security for all Americans. Together, the bills can help create a climate where pay discrimination is not tolerated, and give the new administration the enforcement tools it needs to make real progress on pay equity.
For more information about wage discrimination, please click here.
Pay Equity Legislation Moves in Congress
House Passes Pay Equity Legislation, Senate Next
Last Friday, January 9th, the House passed the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S.181) by a vote of 247-141 and the Paycheck Fairness Act (S.182) by a vote of 256-163. The Senate is expected to take up these bills this week. The YWCA strongly supports passage of both of these bills. Please call your senators and urge them to vote yes on these critical pieces of legislation and oppose any attempts to weaken them.
Action: Call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your United States Senators. You will have to make two calls; one to each Senator. To find your Senators click here.
Message: “My name is ____________ and I am a constituent. I strongly urge the Senator to vote yes on the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, including cloture votes. I also urge him/her to vote against any attempts to weaken these bills. Thank you.”
Background: The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act rights the wrongs done by the Supreme Court, regaining ground we've lost and ensuring that people who've been discriminated against can seek vindication.
The Paycheck Fairness Act would create stronger incentives for employers to follow the law as well as strengthen penalties for violations, strengthen federal outreach, education and enforcement, and prohibit retaliation against workers who ask about employers' wage practices.
Women tend to be hurt first and worst during economic downturns. Especially in these tough times, equal pay for equal work is a necessary step towards achieving economic security for all Americans. Together, the bills can help create a climate where pay discrimination is not tolerated, and give the new administration the enforcement tools it needs to make real progress on pay equity.
For more information about wage discrimination, please click here.
House Passes Pay Equity Legislation, Senate Next
Last Friday, January 9th, the House passed the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S.181) by a vote of 247-141 and the Paycheck Fairness Act (S.182) by a vote of 256-163. The Senate is expected to take up these bills this week. The YWCA strongly supports passage of both of these bills. Please call your senators and urge them to vote yes on these critical pieces of legislation and oppose any attempts to weaken them.
Action: Call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your United States Senators. You will have to make two calls; one to each Senator. To find your Senators click here.
Message: “My name is ____________ and I am a constituent. I strongly urge the Senator to vote yes on the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, including cloture votes. I also urge him/her to vote against any attempts to weaken these bills. Thank you.”
Background: The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act rights the wrongs done by the Supreme Court, regaining ground we've lost and ensuring that people who've been discriminated against can seek vindication.
The Paycheck Fairness Act would create stronger incentives for employers to follow the law as well as strengthen penalties for violations, strengthen federal outreach, education and enforcement, and prohibit retaliation against workers who ask about employers' wage practices.
Women tend to be hurt first and worst during economic downturns. Especially in these tough times, equal pay for equal work is a necessary step towards achieving economic security for all Americans. Together, the bills can help create a climate where pay discrimination is not tolerated, and give the new administration the enforcement tools it needs to make real progress on pay equity.
For more information about wage discrimination, please click here.
Congress to Vote on Fair Pay
As one of the first actions of the new 111th Congress, the House is expected to vote this week on two important pieces of pay equity legislation: the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. Please contact your Representative and tell them to vote yes on these important bills.
Action: Call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative. Click here to find the name of your Representative.
Message: “My name is ____________ and I am a constituent. I strongly urge the Representative to vote yes on the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act when they come to the floor this week. I also urge you to vote against any attempts to weaken these bills, including any motion to recommit. Thank you.”
Background: Though the Equal Pay Act was signed into law in 1964, pay discrimination is still prevalent, and the Supreme Court has recently taken a backwards approach to handling these claims. Pay equity legislation is necessary to allow individuals to better fight pay discrimination strengthen penalties for violation, compel employers to explain wage gaps, and develop training for women and girls about salary negotiation.
With a record 70 million women in the workforce, wage discrimination hurts the majority of American families. In addition, wage discrimination lowers total lifetime earnings, reducing women’s benefits from Social Security and pension plans and inhibiting their ability to save not only for retirement but for other lifetime goals such as buying a home and paying for a college education.
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Labor unemployment statistics show that women tend to be hurt first and worst during economic downturns. Promoting the economic security of all Americans is critical, especially in these tough times, and equal pay for equal work is a necessary step towards achieving this goal.
Passage of both the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would go a long way towards ensuring pay equity for American women and families.
As one of the first actions of the new 111th Congress, the House is expected to vote this week on two important pieces of pay equity legislation: the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. Please contact your Representative and tell them to vote yes on these important bills.
Action: Call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative. Click here to find the name of your Representative.
Message: “My name is ____________ and I am a constituent. I strongly urge the Representative to vote yes on the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act when they come to the floor this week. I also urge you to vote against any attempts to weaken these bills, including any motion to recommit. Thank you.”
Background: Though the Equal Pay Act was signed into law in 1964, pay discrimination is still prevalent, and the Supreme Court has recently taken a backwards approach to handling these claims. Pay equity legislation is necessary to allow individuals to better fight pay discrimination strengthen penalties for violation, compel employers to explain wage gaps, and develop training for women and girls about salary negotiation.
With a record 70 million women in the workforce, wage discrimination hurts the majority of American families. In addition, wage discrimination lowers total lifetime earnings, reducing women’s benefits from Social Security and pension plans and inhibiting their ability to save not only for retirement but for other lifetime goals such as buying a home and paying for a college education.
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Labor unemployment statistics show that women tend to be hurt first and worst during economic downturns. Promoting the economic security of all Americans is critical, especially in these tough times, and equal pay for equal work is a necessary step towards achieving this goal.
Passage of both the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would go a long way towards ensuring pay equity for American women and families.
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