Gail Collins is right to criticize John McCain for his opposition to the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (McCain's compassion tour, New York Times, April 26, 2008: A27).
In addition to the issue of fairness, there are two other compelling reasons for supporting the act. The first is economic, the second is legal.
On the economic front it is sad that as a former business executive, the President fails to recognize that fair and equitable pay is the way in which the commitment of employees to the organization is maintained. It is that commitment which ensures that people present innovative ideas to management in order to improve a firm's products and processes. It is these innovations in products and processes that drive our economy in the 21st century. The Republican and US Chamber of Commerce opposition to this Act is short-sighted and counterproductive to economic growth.
On the legal front, it is unfortunate that the Republicans and the Chamber do not recognize that failure to pass this act will result in what they fear most: a flurry of frivolous lawsuits. Absent this new legislation, it is very likely that a flood of litigation will occur. If a woman suspects discrimination, she had better file suit within 180 days of receiving her first paycheck. Many people will probably do just that.
In general, pay discrimination can only flourish in an organizational culture which fosters secrecy about compensation. Pay secrecy is an undesirable state of affairs in an organization, reducing employee motivation, yet it persists. It is therefore only right that an individual be allowed to sue for discrimination when he/she uncovers the fact that it has occurred.
The author has been a student of motivation in organizations for the past 40 years.
Sent to the New York Times
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Wealth Trajectory
Gregory Mankiw writes "Government policy makers do not have the tools to exert such a strong influence over pretax earnings, even if they wanted to" (The Wealth Trajectory, Rewards for the Few, New York Times, SundayBusiness, April 20, 2008: 9).
He is wrong.
The capture of the National Labor Relations Board by right wing ideologues has nearly destroyed the labor movement in this country. As a result, ordinary workers have been unable to claim any share of the increased productivity of the past decade.
It is political choice that has resulted in the increasing gap between rich and poor in this country
Sent to the New York Times
He is wrong.
The capture of the National Labor Relations Board by right wing ideologues has nearly destroyed the labor movement in this country. As a result, ordinary workers have been unable to claim any share of the increased productivity of the past decade.
It is political choice that has resulted in the increasing gap between rich and poor in this country
Sent to the New York Times
The Vatican View of Cardinal Law
On Friday's Morning Edition, one of your guests commented that the Vatican saw Cardinal Law as a "victim."
This is clear evidence that the Vatican still does not get it.
Cardinal Law was the man who called down the wrath of God on the Boston Globe for exposing the pederasty of Father Porter.
If the Cardinal believes in God, then his action was outrageous in his attempt to punish the messenger.
He really has no continuing place at the Vatican table.
Defrock him?
Sent to Morning Edition
This is clear evidence that the Vatican still does not get it.
Cardinal Law was the man who called down the wrath of God on the Boston Globe for exposing the pederasty of Father Porter.
If the Cardinal believes in God, then his action was outrageous in his attempt to punish the messenger.
He really has no continuing place at the Vatican table.
Defrock him?
Sent to Morning Edition
The Vatican View of Cardinal Law
On Friday's Morning Edition, one of your guests commented that the Vatican saw Cardinal Law as a "victim."
This is clear evidence that the Vatican still does not get it.
Cardinal Law was the man who called down the wrath of God on the Boston Globe for exposing the pederasty of Father Porter.
If the Cardinal believes in God, then his action was outrageous in his attempt to punish the messenger.
He really has no continuing place at the Vatican table.
Defrock him?
Sent to Morning Edition
This is clear evidence that the Vatican still does not get it.
Cardinal Law was the man who called down the wrath of God on the Boston Globe for exposing the pederasty of Father Porter.
If the Cardinal believes in God, then his action was outrageous in his attempt to punish the messenger.
He really has no continuing place at the Vatican table.
Defrock him?
Sent to Morning Edition
Bush OK'd Torture
So Bush OK'd torture (Bush OK'd torture meetings, Washington Post, April 14, 2008). He should be impeached.
Torture is vile.
Authorizing torture is even viler.
Vilest of all is failing to pardon the poor foot-soldiers who were found guilty of abuse at Abu Ghraib, abuse that was condoned or even encouraged, at the highest levels of the administration.
sent to Washington Post
Torture is vile.
Authorizing torture is even viler.
Vilest of all is failing to pardon the poor foot-soldiers who were found guilty of abuse at Abu Ghraib, abuse that was condoned or even encouraged, at the highest levels of the administration.
sent to Washington Post
The future of President Bush
I do hope that after January 2009, Mr Bush's career trajectory follows that of his protegé, Mr Gonzales, rather than that of his predecessor, Mr. Clinton.
Sent to New York Times
Sent to New York Times
Borrowing for Infrastructure
Alas it is not the era of FDR but Mr. McNiff (Letters, Boston Globe, April 11, 2008: A12) is guilty of straining at a gnat while swallowing a camel (Matthew, 23:24).
At least our children will benefit from the restored bridges bought by the Massachusetts borrowing. It is not at all clear to me what benefits our children will receive from the trillion dollar borrowings from China by the Federal Government to finance the Iraq war. There was once the hope that we might bring stability to the Middle East, but those hopes have been shattered by the ineptitude of the Administration's prosecution of the war.
Our generation must start paying for the war though an income tax surcharge and a domestic borrowing program.
Sent to Boston Globe
At least our children will benefit from the restored bridges bought by the Massachusetts borrowing. It is not at all clear to me what benefits our children will receive from the trillion dollar borrowings from China by the Federal Government to finance the Iraq war. There was once the hope that we might bring stability to the Middle East, but those hopes have been shattered by the ineptitude of the Administration's prosecution of the war.
Our generation must start paying for the war though an income tax surcharge and a domestic borrowing program.
Sent to Boston Globe
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