Thursday, January 29, 2009

Obama signs Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act today, the first bill he signed. Great news. And yet another example of Republican stupidity when it comes to empowering the oppressed. Bush opposed the bill. Which got him and the GOP exactly nothing, other than a year or two of freedom to discriminate. But they handed Obama an opportunity to take the moral high ground on a silver platter. Ledbetter herself stood right behind Obama as he signed it. With one vote on the Supreme Court (it was a 5-4 decision), conservatives created a liberal martyr and symbol of injustice, whose name is now enshrined in the name of a law. Just amazing.

I'm not going to comment on the bill itself, as much has been written about it. For the best tearjerking perspective, read Gail Collins. And remember your grandmothers. And your mothers. Or, if you are a mother or grandmother, know that we are thinking of you.

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