Senate Republicans Kill Paycheck Fairness Act for Women: Barefoot & Pregnant, Preferred Choice for American Women

In typical obstructionist and regressive fashion, Senate Republicans all voted to end debate on the Paycheck Fairness Act. Because of this, women in America are forced to earn 77 cents on every dollar earned by American males. And yes, this is life in America 45 years after passage of the Equal Pay Act.

And of course, the gap is worse for women of color than non-minority women: black women earn 61 cents, and Latinas earn 52 cents per dollar earned by white non-Hispanic men. My guess is that Senate Republicans would love nothing more than for women to be barefoot and pregnant, while relegated to to a life of domestic servitude in kitchens all across America.

Not that I have to tell you how much of a slap in the face this is to women (and anyone interested in a more egalitarian society), but here's this via a researcher with Progressive Media , Rebecca Lefton, to help put this into perspective:

Women are half of all U.S. workers and mothers are the primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners in nearly two-thirds of American families. The Paycheck Fairness Act would be critical to strengthening the economic security of these families. The bill would have updated the landmark Equal Pay Act of 1963 by closing loopholes, strengthening incentives to prevent pay discrimination, and prohibiting retaliation against workers who inquire about employers’ wage practices or disclose their own wages. The act would have also addressed pay secrecy, which is a prevalent problem prohibiting employees from knowing whether discriminatory practices are occurring.

Screwed by the Law

By Tracy Renee Jones

I like to travel and on my travels I enjoy sampling the local fare.... I eat..... I drink and I fall into bed with sexy strangers. Now while out partying there's always the chance that one might unknowingly break the law. Having large breasts will usually do the trick if you happen to have some of those on hand.

If that doesn't work just simply being an out of towner may garner some sympathy from the 'law' but it’s always good to familiarize yourself with such things before hand. So it's my pleasure to bring you a few rules of engagement that I thought we should all keep in mind lest you find yourself becoming familiar in the Biblical (unless it’s illegal) way with Big Bubba!!

You Said a Mouthful

Oral sex of any kind is illegal in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia and Washington D.C!!

And you wondered why Monica Lewinsky got into all that trouble! She's an AMERICAN HERO; she had our best interest in mind when she chose to put herself at risk by falling to her knees and providing then Commander in Chief Bill Clinton with a PRESIDENTIAL. Sometimes you gotta think about the welfare of others and do what chu gotta do; Monica understood this and I thank her for it and you should too.

Screw That!

It's illegal to purchase sex toys in Alabama

Word on the street is that you have to make ‘a run’ out of town to ‘cop the goods’! I can’t get over the fact that a harmless butt plug or vibrator would have Sue Anne and Mary Sue Jane riding dirty much like a pack of ghetto thugs who move work from state to state. And another thing...do the state troopers plant nipple rings in the trunk as a set up? I’m just curious! Does the smell of anal beads tip off the cops during a routine spot check? I want answers!


Is that a pistol in your pocket or are you randy for me, Baby ! *licks lips*

Be careful with that tool, Big Daddy, an erection that shows through a man's clothing is illegal in the state of Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.

The country’s originator of black man overt sexual swagger and the home of jewel clutching!! I don’t know how NYPD is allowed to walk around in public; those guys are the biggest pricks ever and I can spot one a mile away..maybe I should contact an attorney. I've been violated.

Labor Day: Domestic Workers Are People Too!

Some time ago on this site Eco.Soul.Intellectual highlighted the plight of often invisible Caribbean nannies here in the United States. In particular, the piece touched on the many female undocumented workers charged with the responsibility of raising future generations of Americans.

Much like the stereotypical southern black "mammy" archtype we all know too well and "love", their lives and or livelihood is often unappreciated; and in many cases, for them, their subservience is a way of life having to exist in the shadows as all undocumented workers in this country do.

In many cases, these are workers who are voiceless, marginalized, and are often taken advantage of by their employers. Working long slave-like hours tirelessly as they care for the children and households of well-to-do upper middle class and wealthy families, they rarely garner the respect of the average American worker.

While supplying a service that is premium in a culture where class-ism is the norm, these are women often held hostage. Often, domestic workers are away from their own homes all week, and earn very little.

Being undocumented, employers often exploit the services and also abuse domestic workers with the threat if contacting federal immigration agencies; many of these women live and work for years under these conditions.

Today being Labor Day here in the United States, I felt the need to take the time to spotlight a recent passing and signing of landmark legislation which seeks to improve the working conditions of domestic workers in the state of New York.

These are basic rights that have otherwise been ignored, and taken for granted by employers of domestic workers. The New York Domestic Worker Bill of Rights signed by governor Paterson, sadly establishes a legitimacy to the many women who work as domestic workers and nannies:

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (A01470, S2311A) amends New York State labor law to guarantee basic work standards and protections: time-and-a-half for every hour over 40 hours per week; one day off per 7-day calendar week; a limited number of paid vacation days, holidays, and sick days; protection from employment discrimination; and advance notice of termination..  The bill provides a means of enforcing these standards in court. 

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights applies to all domestic workers in New York State.

Domestic workers are the bedrock of a functioning society, yet they are a workforce in crisis. 

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights takes on a new urgency in the wake of the current financial crisis.  Among New York’s least protected workers, domestic workers are among the first and hardest hit by any economic downturn.  In these times, domestic workers are even more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. 

Being a son of the Caribbean, and having heard countless tales from women who in most cases are without many options when they first migrate to this the vast land of opportunity. Let me just say that this legislation, like any law that seeks to provide an equal footing by recognizing basic human rights, is a major victory for society at large. Check out the following clip to understand: