Todd Akin Suggests Employers Should Be Able To Pay Women Less

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

Todd Akin appeared to endorse allowing employers to pay women less than men at a town hall on Thursday.

Gender discrimination in compensation has been illegal in the United States since the passage of the 1963 Equal Pay Act. But in video provided by Sen. Claire McCaskill's campaign, Akin responded to a question about the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- which made it easier for workers to sue over unequal pay -- by suggesting that employers shouldn't even be barred from paying women less in the first place.

Here's a transcript:

AUDIENCE MEMBER: You voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Why do you think it is okay for a woman to be paid less for doing the same work as a man?

AKIN: Well, first of all, the premise of your question is that I'm making that particular distinction. I believe in free enterprise. I don't think the government should be telling people what you pay and what you don't pay. I think it's about freedom. If someone what’s to hire somebody and they agree on a salary, that's fine, however it wants to work. So, the government sticking its nose into all kinds of things has gotten us into huge trouble.



Read more: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/todd-akin-suggests-employers-should-be-able-to

[onehandle]

1. 'Huge trouble.'

For Neanderthals.

[pnwmom]

2. Just recently, I had a couple DUers ask me why passing an Equal Rights Amendment would even matter

when I said I didn't approve of women getting drafted unless and until we had an ERA.

This is why. Without an amendment, anything could happen in any state represented by people like Akin.

[4th law of robotics]

45. Discriminating against someone on pay

based on their gender is already illegal.

So why would it take an ERA to prevent something that is currently against the law?

[pnwmom]

48. Because current law can be changed by a simple majority vote. And current law

still allows places like Walmart to pay women less than men, according to the Supreme Court.

A constitutional amendment would give much greater protection.

[4th law of robotics]

49. So just to be clear: no rights are being infringed on currently

your entire concern is on some hypothetical future where all current anti-discrimination laws have been repealed.

In that case shouldn't the fact that only males are eligible for the draft be a concern since of course we reinstate the draft at any moment simply following a majority vote?

Actually all it would take to make women or blacks or anyone non-citizens would be a constitutional amendment. We've had those before. So by your logic no one has any rights at the moment. Not for real anyway. They could be taken away with simply a massive political undertaking for which there is no public will and would ensure political suicide for all involved.

[pnwmom]

51. Did you hear about the Walmart cases? The Supreme Court had no problem with

Walmart paying women less than men, and Scalia said that women are not a protected class under the Constitution.

So no, I don't agree that no rights of women are being infringed on currently. We protect the rights of people based on race and religion; we should also protect them based on gender.

If men are worried that they might be unfairly subject to a draft at any time, then they should all be pushing for an Equal Rights Amendment, which would help them, too.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/01/scalia-constitution-does-not-p.html

Justice Antonin Scalia has weighed in on the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, leaving women's rights activists seething.

In an interview with California Lawyer, Scalia said that the Constitution itself does not protect women and gay men and lesbians from discrimination. Such protections are up to the legislative branch, he said.

[oldsarge54]

61. Our good friend Scalia

Also struck down the first 13 words (42%) of the 2nd Amendment, being that is has no application anymore.

[4th law of robotics]

66. It is illegal to pay women less than men

for doing the same job.

If they were not doing the same job (ie working fewer hours, carrying less, etc) then it is fine to pay them less.

So no, I don't agree that no rights of women are being infringed on currently. We protect the rights of people based on race and religion; we should also protect them based on gender.

We do. It is illegal to discriminate based on gender.

Except for some things like the draft, which you're ok with.

If men are worried that they might be unfairly subject to a draft at any time, then they should all be pushing for an Equal Rights Amendment, which would help them, too.

Yeah because that's what the ERA is about.

[pnwmom]

69. You need to learn some history.

One of the major objections to the ERA was that it would necessarily lead to women being drafted. Everyone agreed that it would have that consequence.

The ERA isn't just about women -- it's about men, too.

[4th law of robotics]

70. Seems pointless then

The only ingrained legal discrimination based on gender is the draft system.

You don't need a constitutional amendment to get rid of that. Just end the draft system.

[Stuart G]

3. Well, Well Well, isn't it swell..........

Good by, Todd Aikens good by
...defend this remark, you can try..
But ..please don't get too blue...
.. WhenMissouri voters..say Fuck YOU!!!

[tech3149]

4. Is this stupid freak married?

I was married for 29 years to the most intelligent and thoughtful woman on the earth. That and my experience in the working world has shown me that the women were always smarter, less egotistical, and more receptive to alternative ideas.
For my money, I think it's time that women rule the world.

[Delmette]

22. The women in Iceland

Who were elected to public offices seem to be doing just fine. I think that the white Christian men who have been running this are figuring out that they are a minority now and they don't like it.

[tech3149]

31. Someday I'd like to write an historical book

I'd love it to be titled "When Women Ruled the World" Even more, I'd like to be able to read it to a grand niece, or a neighbor's child, or a bunch of five year olds overwhelming some underpaid and overstressed teacher.

[Delmette]

33. Sign me up...

For the first copy!

[tech3149]

73. I'm not sure if I'll ever get it done, but you should check this out

Hahna Rosen "The end of men and the rise of women"
It's a new book coming out and I'm listening to an interview with the author, sounds like it will be a great read.

[Darth_Kitten]

67. Do it!

[xmas74]

39. He's married

and his wife is supposedly even more staunch in their beliefs.

[4th law of robotics]

47. "women are always smarter, less egotistical, and more receptive . . ."

You realize this is a bigoted statement yes?

Just flip the genders and it becomes obvious.

[johnlucas]

72. Eh. Women can be just as bad as men

I love that women have more choices in how to direct their lives than ever before.
But I don't buy into the notion that paradise will come from a woman's rule.

Women are not better than men.
Men are not better than women.
They are co-dependent on each other for survival.
There are no men without women.
And there are no women without men.

Women can be just as much buttholes as men can be.
The details may differ but the effect is the same.
Men can be good just as much as women can.
Women can be good just as much as men can.

This Boys Club/Girls Club stuff was fine for the sandbox but in reality it does us no favors.
You want WISE people to rule. Wise men. Wise women.
Wisdom is not predicated on gender.

I'm willing to vote for the 1st female American President.
No problem with that.
But not if that female was Sarah Palin or Michele Bachmann.

Women aren't always smart, DO have big egos, & AREN'T always receptive to alternative ideas.
I know you love your wife & it's flavoring what you put in your post here but good & bad exist in BOTH genders.
Choose wisdom over genitalia & you won't ever get it confused.
John Lucas

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. McCaskill wanted Caveman Akin for a punching bag and skillfully got him. He continues to oblige. nt

[Patiod]

7. Aiken - the gift that keeps on giving

God Bless the Tea Party for this.

They take safe seats (like the Senate seat from Delaware) and hand it on a silver platter to buffoons like Aiken or O'Donnell.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. McCaskill has an ad budget in reserve and held back on pounding him so that he would stay in. nt

[Sherman A1]

13. Indeed

He does however provide great entertainment value.

[xmas74]

40. And people on DU complain about Claire!

She's done a brilliant job with this campaign so far. She has a reserve and will begin using it, starting in October.

I can't wait to once again send my vote her way.

[Javaman]

6. doubling down on stupid seems to be republican strategy for this election. nt

[DallasNE]

8. By Extension

Akin could also be against keeping companies from hiring people based on race, religion, party affiliation -- you name it because that would be free enterprise. Besides, that after all, fits the bill of the "government sticking its nose into all kinds of things".

[etherealtruth]

34. I am inclined to believe that is exactly what he meant

[randome]

9. And his political consultant compared him to being under seige...like David Koresh!

TPM's headline on this snippet: "I Mean, WTF?"

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/consultant-compares-akins-fortitude-to-that-of-david?ref=fpblg

[Tx4obama]

10. K&R n/t

[kiranon]

12. Would he say the same if only males/Christians were paid less?

Of course not.

[midnight]

14. Akin promoting right to work legislation.... Oppression is his M.O.

[The Last Democrat]

15. The reason

the Gov. has it’s noise in it….is the employers don’t pay enough to live on, not hard for we the people to understand. Maybe he should pass up his next pay raise if he goings back to Washington. His remark is just another reason to not vote for him.

[Zoeisright]

16. That guy should be deported.

He is literally as unAmerican as they come.

[Blue_Tires]

17. Funny...Ron Paul along with the Birchers have given the EXACT same reason

for opposing Civil Rights and integration...

[JDPriestly]

18. Who is us?

So, the government sticking its nose into all kinds of things has gotten us into huge trouble.

What "us" is he talking about? Certainly doesn't include me. I'm a woman.

[BlueJazz]

19. It's a good and holy thing that I'm not a violent person. cause if I were....

...I'd beat this piece-of-human garbage, shitbags face in.

What a slap in the face to all the hard working females out there...

[NightOwwl]

20. He doesn't like the gov't

sticking its nose into all kinds of things...

unless it's your vagina.

[RC]

35. You mean like this?

"Insurance Company Fined Over $1 Million for Covering Missourians’ Abortions and Contraceptives"
http://jezebel.com/5946994/insurance-company-fined-over-1-million-for-covering-missourians-abortions-and-contraceptives

[xmas74]

41. I heard about this the other day.

Supposedly the fine isn't just for that but for things that the insurance didn't cover. (someone I know in mental health said something about autism spectrum. Whether that's true or not...) Anyway, even if $1 of that fine is for offering coverage of abortions and contraceptives it sucks. Makes me glad I work for a large corporation here in Missouri that would prefer we not get pregnant, due to possible medical issues w/o early prevention.

[Swede Atlanta]

21. They seem to believe that blatant, open discrimination based on sex is perfectly fine.......

I don't think that will sit well with many female voters in Missouri. I have no issue with the "right to contract" where an employer and employee agree to a salary and benefits package. But that must be moderated by a requirement that differences must be based exclusively on neutral characteristics.

[wutang77]

23. Akin is trolling at this point right?

[Ash_F]

24. I know right, it's surreal. /nt

[tclambert]

25. Is Akin intentionally trying to distract voters from the stupid things Mitt Romney says?

No. No. That would require some intelligence, some ability to comprehend the consequences of saying the stupid things he himself says. So just no.

[Fresh_Start]

26. the first we should do is remove the 'fixed' payment for members of congress from our statutes

at the end of their terms, the voters get to decide how much they are worth.
Free market, don't you say

[tanyev]

27. "And you know women miss more days of work, what with their monthlies and all."

*Not intended to be a factual quote

[Manifestor_of_Light]

64. Then women should have reasonable accommodations made

for what would be defined as a periodic, recurring disability.
Like paid illness leave.

I can dream, can't I??? The work world makes no allowances for any physical or mental needs.

[christx30]

65. That's because to the work world

you are a piece of equipment: Easily replaceable. They don't give the coffee maker days off for leaks, right? They just get a new coffee maker.

[McCamy Taylor]

28. So he is good with firing Americans and hiring illegal immigrants for lower wages?

And child labor is ok, too?

[McCamy Taylor]

29. Keep talking, Todd. You cost your whole party votes.

[MichiganVote]

30. I firmly believe there's a boy scout in this guy's closet

[randome]

32. You may be right.

The man just reeks of creepiness. Just looking at him makes my skin crawl. There is SOMETHING not right about him.

[Third Doctor]

36. Damn! This

guy is like a bull in a china shop!

[StevePaulson]

37. Akin Lives In A Bubble

Republicans live in an alternate universe.

http://republicansareadisease.com/?p=52996 < - Alternate Universe Article

They all live in a bubble where they think "people" think it should be ok to pay women less than men for the same work, just because you can. They call it "freedom" or some other bs.

Good luck with that one Akin you freak.

[yardwork]

38. This is the Republican Party line. The strong now have "freedom" to lie, cheat, and steal.

Basically, anything goes. If you are stronger than other people, then you should be allowed the "freedom" to steal from them, abuse them, let them starve to death, let them die. That's the message of the Republican Party now.

Many of the people who are trying to take away all government assistance themselves benefited from government assistance. It's how they became wealthy and powerful. There is no dissonance in their minds. They "won." That gives them the right to keep everything themselves.

This is what we're up against.

[pnwmom]

58. That's right. Under their Libertarian economic policy, the owners are free to do anything they want.

[yardwork]

68. They don't believe in democracy. They believe in a completely different system.

[L0oniX]

42. Hey Akin ...please keep speaking from your cold, dead, obsolete, caveman heart.

[elbloggoZY27]

43. No N0 & NO

Women should get equal pay.

End of this Debate.

[volstork]

44. Effin hypocrite

"So, the government sticking its nose into all kinds of things has gotten us into huge trouble."

They believe this until it applies to sexual behavior or to abortion, then they are ALL ABOUT the government "sticking its nose into all kinds of things..."

[kooljerk666]

46. If a nice rape is ok..........

then women will love a fucking too.........(sarc)


GOTO hell & burn Aikin (no SARC)

[hrmjustin]

50. As a gay man, I hate Women haters.

makes me sick

[liberal N proud]

52. This creep shouldn't even be close in this race

He is proof that the republicans would vote for an ax murder.

[lumpy]

53. Many years ago I worked for a bank as a teller. I knew I was making less than a fellow male

teller doing the same job. I approached my boss one day to ask why I did make less for doing the same job. His reply was that that the guy had a family to support. I made the point that I was a single mother supporting my child with $50.00 mo. child support. He had no answer for that, only sympathy (for being a woman, I guess) and simply that that was the way it is. Cold hard fact. I am happy that women have made some inroad in that respect.
Akin the Ass has no conception what freedom is all about.

[patrice]

54. So, it's okay having a man & a woman in the same job & paying either one of them less. nt

[Politicub]

55. We need the ERA

To close the door on this kind of thing once and for all.

The genius of the ERA is its simplicity:

Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

[Brigid]

56. Dear Todd Akin:

You say it's about freedom, and that if a job applicant agrees to a wage, however paltry, it's all good? You seem to be saying that if the wage is too low the person shouldn't take the job? Well, here's a little news for you: When somebody's applying for a job, they're not bargaining from a position of strength. Certainly not these days. They take a job on terms they are forced to accept, or no job. If you knew anything about how people really lived, you would understand that.

[Scairp]

57. He is such a pig

I wish he would just fuck off and die already.

[patrice]

59. Bet y' Toddy is all for pay parity when the Good-ol'-boys are setting it for CEOs across the nation.

Lavish CEO pay doesn't work as intended: study

http://bottomline.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/27/14125675-lavish-ceo-pay-doesnt-work-as-intended-study?lite#__utma=238145375.1607569865.1342448430.1345527900.1348799192.23&__utmb=238145375.1.10.1348799192&__utmc=238145375&__utmx=-&__utmz=238145375.1348799192.23.4.utmcsr=drudgereport.com

Talk about how the cream rises until it sours and the perpetuation of a mediocresy:

To determine how much to pay a CEO, corporate compensation committees look at how much the chiefs of similar companies earn, which has the result of lumping together all CEO talent into one pool. Elson and Ferrere argued that expertise in management isn’t the same, and isn't as good, as having a deep base of knowledge in one particular industry.

[davidn3600]

60. In the end, it's about social programming

It is how we are raised. The perception that our society has had for centuries is that the woman stays home and raises the kids. The man works and provides. This is still very much ingrained within the psyche of our society today. To some men, they would not be able to accept a relationship when their wife makes as much (or more) than they do. It becomes an ego thing. So there is an attempt to rig the system to maintain the advantage.

And it isn't just men either. There are women who would refuse to date men that make less money than they do. Because they think it's the man's job to make more.

I dont know if we necessarily need more laws as much as society needs to change how it views the family unit. I think right now we are still in the middle of a transition period as far as this issue is concerned. When you look at the attitude of the youth today, it's much more gender neutral. While when you look at older folks, there are still a push to maintain barriers between the genders.

It's not something that can be solved at the snap of the fingers. It's a process.

[daleo]

62. Naive Liberterianism is stupid

His remarks seem to be of that ilk.

P.S. All Liberterianism is either naive, or insincere, in my opinion.

[AllyCat]

63. Hasn't gotten anyone into huge trouble except you and the other misogynists

who say stupid $hit like this Todd.

[Don C. Nuttin]

71. Not an issue as big as the man.

Equal pay for equal work just isn't a big enough issue for a man whose own people compare him with David Koresh.

A consultant for Rep. Todd Akin likened the Senate candidate to David Koresh on Friday, saying Akin's ability to withstand GOP pressure to withdraw from the Missouri race was like the cult leader's resistance during the deadly 1993 standoff with federal authorities.

Consultant Kellyanne Conway said she has expressed her opinion to Akin "for a while now," adding Akin was successfully able to sustain the aftermath of his controversial rape comments last month.

"The first day or two where it was like the Waco with the David Koresh situation where they're trying to smoke him out with the SWAT teams and the helicopters and the bad Nancy Sinatra records. Then here comes day two and you realize the guy's not coming out of the bunker. Listen, Todd has shown his principle to the voters," Conway, CEO of The Polling Company, said on a radio show hosted by Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council.