Now, I know this happened a month ago, but I needed that time to get my head around this. Conservative Fox News host who has time and time again come out against "entitlement programs," bashed government help, called for the retraction of "government tentacles in our lives," and said that the only reason we couldn't get rid of such programs was because people were so used to handouts from the government...is protecting maternity leave rights?
Oh, right, because she just had a baby and got paid for three months while she was out. As I firmly believe she should have been. I only got half-pay for three months, and you know what, I sang the virtues of my employer through the rooftops. Because as Megyn says:
"Just in case you didn't know, Mike, I want you to know that the United States is the only country in the advanced world that doesn't require paid maternity leave."
I felt damn lucky. I got to stay at home with my preemie twins and care for them and help them to grow and not fail to thrive, and my employer was kind enough to give me three months to do that. Had I only taken six weeks, they'd have paid me in full for that time. My employer was amazing. Megyn's is even better.
But is she humbled by this great favor? Is she thankful and understanding of how lucky she is? Maybe. But I'd say she comes off as rather...well, entitled. Again, as I feel strongly she should.
"What is it about giving birth and carrying a baby nine months that you don't think deserves a few months off so bonding and recovery can take place?"
Here's the link to the Fox News clip in case the embed doesn't work.
Of course, Megyn Kelly of 2009and 2010 disagrees. (I love it when the Daily Show does my work for me.)
"This is the problem with entitlements. They're really only entitlements when they're something other people want. When it's something you want, they're the hallmark of of a civilized society, the foundation of a great people. I just had a baby and found out that maternity leave strengthens society, but since I still have a job, unemployment is clearly socialism." --Jon Stewart, The Daily Show
You go, Megyn Kelly. You take Mike Gallagher to task. But while you're at it, take yourself, too. You know that health care reform you all hate so much? It would help those less fortunate than you also receive the benefits and care you so received, and maybe, just maybe, inch us away from the dark ages.
But those people aren't you, so you probably can't see them all the way from the Fox building in NYC.
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I don't often agree with you, but I agree with this post very much!
ReplyDeleteSing it, sister. All these people who are all OMG WELFARE RECIPIENTS never had to go through the pain in the ass and embarrassment that is applying for some kind of help from the government. Must be nice!
ReplyDeleteThere is 1 big difference. Maternity leave is finite. Hell, even unemployment is finite.
ReplyDeleteWelfare for a good portion of people doesn't end and is abused.
Maternity leave is supplied by the employer while Welfare is supplied by the government.
As someone who is (luckily) finishing her run of being on government assistance I see a big difference between the two.
I see the difference between finite programs and assistance over the longterm, and it's a valid point.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Megyn Kelly is arguing for government-propelled maternity leave, saying that lack of such a program leaves "the United States in the dark ages."
So while there is currently a difference in who provides the two programs, Kelly is saying (since she has now been a woman who has gone through this) that the government should provide it. At least that's what I got from this.
There is still a big difference between the government providing maternity leave (finite) and providing Welfare services (usually not finite)
ReplyDeletePersonally it would be silly for the government to provide it because the people who need it are working and their workplace should be providing it as part of FMLA.
Love this post - esp the Jon Stewart quote!
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