“When I was chief executive of Hewlett-Packard, we also offered paid maternity leave and paid paternity leave,” she said. “It’s pretty clear that the private sector, like Netflix, is doing the right thing because they know it helps them attract the right talent.” ~~ Carly Fiorina, one of the mob vying for the Republican presidential nomination.
As I readied myself for work this Monday morning, I was getting my morning cup of WTF by listening to the political news on NPR. I heard the above quote from Ms. Fiorina and my cup overflowed.
First and foremost came the thought that if you were not the “right talent” then you did not deserve paternity leave? That tells me all I need to know about the Ms. Fiorina’s world view. Compassion apparently is not on her Rolodex or in her contact list. One can only assume that as the former head of a tech company she has dumped the Rolodex, but the rest of her views tend to point in the other direction.
When I was searching the Internet to make sure I got the quote correct I came across this article on the Huffington Post which detailed her comments more fully: Carly Fiorina Opposes A Paid Maternity Leave Requirement. The article was subtitled –The GOP presidential hopeful says the question should be left to employers.
Oh no it shouldn’t.
Enacting reasonable social policy should not be left in the hands of companies, especially large companies, whose primary focus is profit. Profit all too often morphs into unfettered greed. However, that is exactly the message I am getting from the Republican Party, whatever is good for business is good for America. In my world view that is the tail wagging the dog. A just society is built around people first, not companies.
How ironic it is that the party that touts itself as the party of family values is opposed to so much that would strengthen the family. Opposing paternity leave is just one example. Their attack on Planned Parenthood is another piece of that ironic Republican malarkey. Here is an organization that provides much needed services to millions of women and families yet the Republicans are willing to take it down over abortion. I see the abortion debate as mainly a religious debate, so please do not force your religious beliefs onto me. No one is being forced to have abortions, they just want the choice to have one if their belief system allows it. Ms. Fiorina would close down the government rather than fund Planned Parenthood. That does not make sense either from a business or family values point of view. To beat on a very tired old drum, where are the Republicans with their compassionate family values once a child is born?
The Republican pro-business view is one of survival of the fittest. If you are the “right talent” then they will allow you family centered opportunities. Otherwise scratch out what you can, minion.