Elizabeth Warren understands that Equal Pay for women is not just a women's issue, it is a family issue. Senator Centerfold is a GOP party favorite and is banking on the "Independent Voice" moniker to sway those who are still on the fence. Scott Brown is not an Independent, Scott Brown is a REPUBLICAN and that puts so much of what is important to women, at risk.
I am tired of hearing about is how Scott Brown is “independent.”
Brown’s prolific use of the words “INDEPENDENT thinker" in his ads, on his signs and throughout his campaigns, has gotten through to people I consider intelligent. He is not AN Independent. Registered voters in MA who have not chosen to support a party are listed as un-enrolled and are considered Independent.
Scott Brown is a Republican. And, when it really counts, he has supported the GOP ideals, policies and principals. If Brown veered too far away from the Republican party platform, he would lose that all-too-important GOP money and support.
The Republicans consider the Fair Pay Act a new regulation imposed on businesses and thus against their platform. Where does that leave the woman who is providing for her family yet being paid the average $.77 on the dollar her male co-workers are earning?
Despite the rhetoric in his latest ad campaign with his wife, former WCVB reporter Gail Huff, claiming that the Warren campaign lied about his record, Brown fell in line with the GOP and voted AGAINST the Fair Pay Act (equal pay for women):
S 3220 - Paycheck Fairness Act - Scott Brown voted Nay (Cloture Vote) on this legislation – on June 5, 2012. HE VOTED WITH HIS PARTY TO FILIBUSTER THE VOTE.
He used the same old excuse we've heard for years, in a press release he tried to justify this vote:
“As a father and husband of women in the workforce, I believe strongly in fair pay, and employers who discriminate against women should be prosecuted aggressively. The bill before the Senate today was flawed and overreaching. It's the right cause but the wrong bill. On the heels of last week's dismal jobs report, the last thing we should be doing is putting more job-killing burdens on small businesses and employers. Instead, we should be focused on creating jobs for women who, like all Americans, have been negatively affected by the employment crisis."
Pardon the over-used phrase but, “REALLY?!” We are expected to simply accept that he knows best, patting women on the head and telling us that he will set priorities for us and vote for a bill that won’t “hurt” businesses? This argument has been the excuse for any and all efforts to create equality (for women) in the work-place. If a business is actually paying men and women equally, then how can it hurt?
If businesses aren't paying men and women equally, how will we ever change that without passing these laws?
Brown's staff tried to justify this vote by declaring his "support for fair pay" but it rings hollow when you consider that the bill would have passed successfully if Brown and his GOP cronies didn't filibuster:
"Sen. Brown believes strongly in fair pay, and that employers who discriminate against women should be prosecuted aggressively," said Marcie Kinzel, his Senate spokesperson. "However, on the bill before the Senate, Sen. Brown believes it will put more burdens on small businesses and could lead to job losses at a time when our economy can least afford it."
Equal pay for women will be a burden on small businesses.
Equal pay for women will be a burden on big business.
Corporations will crash and burn. Wall Street will crumble. The sun will fall from the sky.
Regardless of the excuse du jour, the result is always the same; Republicans will block any attempt at legislation that would give women the tools they need to make sure that businesses pay men and women who do the same job, equally.
If we were talking about a minority group of any other type, we'd see a revolt. Yet in this case he was part of a filibuster to kill this bill but is still polling between 46-48%. Women are 51% of the population in Massachusetts!
Consider who is protecting. Brown is building an image of a politician who represents the middle class. He claims not to be influenced by lobbyists, yet there are easy lines drawn between Brown and the
He is a Republican, he voted with the Republicans, they filibustered and the bill didn't pass. The votes were there to pass this bill, but their republicans used their membership to filibuster and prevent a bill from final vote. It is a tool used by the minority to control the majority that subverts the democratic system.
The stakes are high in this election. If we lose control of the senate women will be sliding backwards towards the 1950’s rather than moving forward.
This is 2012, and we are still fighting these fights. Let's not forget, after the courts decided it COULD be passed if just a handful more states signed on, to this day we have yet to pass the ERA - (Google it to find the status.)
Even worse, if the Republicans take control of the Senate, women in this country will see a steeper slide backwards and we risk losing so much more.
Elizabeth Warren understands the issues and will support women.
Massachusetts, a state that is always labeled “blue,” has a shameful record when it comes to electing women. Right now, out of ten congressmen, only ONE is a woman. And, we have two senators, both men. Let’s elect Elizabeth Warren and change Massachusetts US Senate Representation to 50%! I hope when my daughters are my age, this country will have recognized that women, who do the same job as men, will not have to consider equal pay an issue.
If you are not from Massachusetts, you can still help Elizabeth Warren. Contact anyone you know in this state and urge them to support Warren. You can also donate to her campaign: http://elizabethwarren.com. We need to keep moving forward.