Did you think you’d heard it all from Representative Todd Akin of Missouri? Listen up, collegiettes, because the Republican Senate hopeful has a lot more to say. This time, he’s talking about equal pay for women (or not).
Akin made news in August for his comments on “legitimate rape”, but despite calls to withdraw from the race from both parties, decided to continue his senate campaign. On Thursday, while answering questions at a town meeting, Akin responded to questions about the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, according to the Huffington Post. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and it clarifies the statute of limitations on equal-pay lawsuits. Just as a quick refresher for you collegiettes, pay discrimination based on gender has been illegal since the Equal Pay Act of 1963.
Talking Points Memo and Think Progress both reported transcripts from videos of Akin’s comments:
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.
So collegiettes, what do you have to say about Akin’s latest comments? Chime in in the comments and let us know where you fall on the issue.
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Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilly_Ledbetter_Fair_Pay_Act_of_2009
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Pay_Act_of_1963
Photo Credit:
http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/content/20…