Monday, May 13, 2013
Republicans: Taking The Work Week Backwards for Families
Were you aware that the Republican majority in Congress voted to eliminate the 40-hour work week last week?
HR 1406 would increase overtime hours for those who do not want them and gut overtime pay for the people who need it.
Under the bill, workers would not be paid overtime for hours worked in excess of the 40-hour work week, but would be given comp time instead. The comp time could only be used, however, at the employer's discretion and the employer does not have to allow employees any time time off or flexibility if they do not wish to do so. At the end of the year, unused comp time is paid out to employees - so basically employees get to loan the company their overtime wages for the year at no interest.
Let us hope that the Senate is more understanding of the harm that this system would do to working families.
HR 1406 would increase overtime hours for those who do not want them and gut overtime pay for the people who need it.
Under the bill, workers would not be paid overtime for hours worked in excess of the 40-hour work week, but would be given comp time instead. The comp time could only be used, however, at the employer's discretion and the employer does not have to allow employees any time time off or flexibility if they do not wish to do so. At the end of the year, unused comp time is paid out to employees - so basically employees get to loan the company their overtime wages for the year at no interest.
Let us hope that the Senate is more understanding of the harm that this system would do to working families.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Support Gina McCarthy For EPA Chief!
Gina McCarthy, President Obama's pick to head the EPA, has spent the last four years as the assistant administrator in charge of Air and Radiation. She has worked hard to keep the air that our children breathe clean. She has been seen as someone who can work with Republicans and the auto industry as well as with Democrats and environmentalists...someone who listens and does not see environmental protection as a partisan issue.
If only Senate Republicans agreed.
Her confirmation hearing has thus far been more about the doubts that Senate Republicans have about climate change than about her qualifications. Science still scares them - it's hard to get past that. On Thursday, all eight Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee boycotted Ms. McCarthy's nomination vote, leaving the committee without a quorum.
I do believe in science and I want America to stop climate change in its tracks. I believe that Gina McCarthy is the right person to lead us to that goal. I will be telling my Senators that and I hope that you will, too, mamas.
If only Senate Republicans agreed.
Her confirmation hearing has thus far been more about the doubts that Senate Republicans have about climate change than about her qualifications. Science still scares them - it's hard to get past that. On Thursday, all eight Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee boycotted Ms. McCarthy's nomination vote, leaving the committee without a quorum.
I do believe in science and I want America to stop climate change in its tracks. I believe that Gina McCarthy is the right person to lead us to that goal. I will be telling my Senators that and I hope that you will, too, mamas.
We All Have Things that Irk Us
The Junior Woman and I caught a trailer for Gatsby and the following conversation ensued:
Her: Don't go see that with Dad.
Me: Why not?
Her: I heard Jay-Z did music for it. You know how he (her dad) hates anachronistic music.
Her: Don't go see that with Dad.
Me: Why not?
Her: I heard Jay-Z did music for it. You know how he (her dad) hates anachronistic music.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Sequester Snot
So when people who have the resources to buy airplane tickets and travel across the country get delayed, it is a national emergency that must be solved but when poor senior citizens and babies don't get food, that's okay?
Monday, April 22, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Prayers For West
My family has enjoyed a lot of rest stops at the Czech Stop in West, Texas, always a favorite place to stop on the I-35 corridor. Our prayers are with them.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Hold Fast
Yesterday, I ran the two errands I really needed to run while Lone Star Pa did the afternoon pick-up, but I cancelled my other evening "plans" of errands with the Lone Star Baby in favor of everyone meeting up at home, ordering pizza and huddling in together. I just wanted us all home and together.
I keep reminding myself of the Mr. Rogers quote about looking for the helpers in times like these, and remembering that there are always so many helpers.
May we all find helpers. May we all be helpers.
I keep reminding myself of the Mr. Rogers quote about looking for the helpers in times like these, and remembering that there are always so many helpers.
May we all find helpers. May we all be helpers.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
A Funny Story About Reproduction And Cable TV And Rude Cartoons
The other day, the Lone Star Girl came home from school with a funny story from her HL Biology class. She said they were talking about different types of reproduction and the teacher asked the class if they could name an animal that reproduces by budding.
My daughter said that the whole class, except for one other student and herself, all yelled "Sponges!"
"How did you know that?" my daughter, used to being the one with the answers, incredulously asked her classmates.
"Didn't you watch Sponge Bob when you were little?" asked her teacher.
"We didn't have cable," she muttered, embarrassed. She left out that her mother finds that cartoon rude and doesn't let her sister watch it now that we do have cable. I guess it's pretty educational, though!
My daughter said that the whole class, except for one other student and herself, all yelled "Sponges!"
"How did you know that?" my daughter, used to being the one with the answers, incredulously asked her classmates.
"Didn't you watch Sponge Bob when you were little?" asked her teacher.
"We didn't have cable," she muttered, embarrassed. She left out that her mother finds that cartoon rude and doesn't let her sister watch it now that we do have cable. I guess it's pretty educational, though!
Gun Reform Debate Starts Today
Today, 50 Democrats, 16 Republicans and 2 independents voted to open the debate on gun reform measures suggested by President Obama. I pray that Congress will listen to the parents of America and strengthen background checks. I also pray they will ban high-capacity magazines and assault weapons.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Child Abuse Prevention Month
I am wearing blue today to raise awareness about child abuse. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. I feel very strongly that the vast majority of child abuse can be prevented by providing adequate support to struggling parents. There will always be a small number of sick puppies out there, but most parents desperately want what's best for their children, even when they lack the information and personal resources to treat children well.
That said, the state of Texas could do a lot more to help children in oh, so many ways. One way would be to adequately fund Child Protective Services.
According to the Dallas Morning News, 34% of all child abuse investigators in Texas quit last year. Turnover for other CPS workers was 25%, even in this economy. The caseloads are too high and the pay too low to keep people in such a stressful job.
I would like more funding for tons more caseworkers for CPS myself. I would also like all of those new caseworkers to be licensed social workers.
Our kids deserve it.
That said, the state of Texas could do a lot more to help children in oh, so many ways. One way would be to adequately fund Child Protective Services.
According to the Dallas Morning News, 34% of all child abuse investigators in Texas quit last year. Turnover for other CPS workers was 25%, even in this economy. The caseloads are too high and the pay too low to keep people in such a stressful job.
I would like more funding for tons more caseworkers for CPS myself. I would also like all of those new caseworkers to be licensed social workers.
Our kids deserve it.
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Equal Pay Day
Today is Equal Pay Day, the day that women would have to work past December 31, 2012 in order to earn as much as a man in a similar job earned in 2012 proper (on average), since women earn - on average - only 77 cents for each dollar that men earn.
Democrats in Congress are pushing for the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would prevent employers from punishing women who point out pay disparities, but Republicans will not bring the bill to the floor.
Democrats in Congress are pushing for the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would prevent employers from punishing women who point out pay disparities, but Republicans will not bring the bill to the floor.
First Day School: More Peace Testimony
On Sunday, the Lone Star Baby and I continued our study of the Peace Testimony in First Day School. We read Seven Brave Women by Betsy Hearne and discussed ways that people are brave that do not have to do with fighting or war. We pondered some queries on the theme of peace. We reviewed our SPICES work. It was very nice. We have the best conversations at First Day School.
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