Video: Michelle Obama and the Blueprint for America's Working Women and Families
By
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/person/gGNnYR">Amanda Scott - Jul 29th, 2008 at 11:45 am EDT
Michelle Obama addressed a gathering of Women for Obama in Chicago yesterday, where she shared her experiences on the campaign trail, and discussed why she believes Barack Obama is the right leader to support women and their families and enact policies to help them to reclaim the American Dream.
In conjunction with the luncheon, the campaign unveiled a 12-page
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/amandascott/gGxY4N">Blueprint for America’s Working Women and Families, detailing Senator Obama’s agenda to help women balance work and family, to keep themselves and their families healthy, and to prosper in a changing economy.
Senator Obama’s plan to support working women and families will:
• Fight for Pay Equity: Throughout his career, Barack Obama has championed the right of women to receive equal pay for equal work. As president, Obama will continue working to close the wage gap between men and women.
• Expand Paid Sick Days to 22 Million Working Women: Today, over 22 million working women do not have paid sick days. As president, Obama will require that employers provide seven paid sick days per year.
• Expand Flexible Work Arrangements: Working parents, especially mothers, often have to juggle not only child care responsibilities, but also care responsibilities for elderly relatives. Barack Obama will address this concern by creating a program to inform businesses about the benefits of flexible work schedules for productivity and establishing positive workplaces; helping businesses create flexible work opportunities; and increasing federal incentives for telecommuting.
• Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families: Obama will restore fairness to the tax code and provide 150 million workers, including more than 71 million women, and their families the tax relief they need. Obama will create a new “Making Work Pay” tax cut of up to $500 per worker, or $1,000 per working family.
• Ensure All Americans Have Access to Affordable Health Insurance: Obama will sign a health care reform plan into law by the end of his first term in office. His plan will provide affordable, quality health care coverage for every American.
In her opening remarks, Michelle explained:
Barack doesn’t accept an America that forces women to choose between their children and their careers, that pays women less money for equal work. The challenges facing women and families aren’t new to any of us. They’re not new to me, and they certainly aren’t new to my husband. That’s why as President, he will fight to empower and support women and families, because he wouldn’t be running for President today without the strong women in his life.
You can watch the video of Michelle's speech below and view the full
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/amandascott/gGxY4N"> Blueprint for America’s Working Women and Families online.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/amandascott/gGxYst">Link