N002088
Saturday, January 19, 2002 8:03 PM
Justice for all...
January 19, 2002
Dear Mr. Feingold:
I have read the interim rule and have much to say about it. However, I will
keep my comments brief as my desire is to have my message heard amidst all
the others I know you have been receiving.
I take issue with the thinking behind any decision to value a woman?s dollar
value as lower than that of a man?s because of math that says she
?typically? works fewer years in a lifetime than he does. I also take
issue with any math that will value a janitor?s life over that of a CEO. I
am sure there is equal misery in the two families, but I would venture to
guess that the CEO?s family has some funds to survive, while the janitor?s
family might have just found themselves completely destitute.
While it may be true ?on average? that women in the workforce may not stay
there for as many years as men do, this fact is certainly not an accurate
indicator of what a working woman in her lifetime has contributed to the
U.S. economy or to her family. I am sure you realize that for the majority
of women who ?stay at home?, this choice is based on another choice, namely,
that of raising children. I think it is unfortunate that we are not
prepared as a nation and a culture to place a high value on that choice,
since women who do this are working very hard to build tomorrow?s leaders.
I am also sure you are aware that the average number of years women spend in
the workforce is increasing over time. This is due to the gains we have
made against heavy odds. Even as I type this, women are being paid less
than men for doing the same work. Our struggle is not yet over and your
present regulations represent a setback to the advances we have made.
The Taliban, the political group we hold responsible for the September 11
attacks, regards women as lesser individuals than men. They have carried
this dangerous belief system to violent extremes which have shocked the
international community. I regret to see our disbursement of funds
mirroring that diseased mindset in any way. I would much, much, much prefer
to see Americans send a very different message: we value all of our
citizens equally, regardless of race, class, or gender.
Thank you,
Individual Comment
Asheville, NC