trogon

whitehouseblog @ 10:00 pm: Working to Boost American Exports, Grow American Jobs Through Trade with the Asia-Pacific

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/14/working-boost-american-exports-grow-american-jobs-through-trade-with-asia-pacific

On Saturday in Singapore, I spoke to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit on behalf of President Obama.  In my remarks to this gathering of more than 800 business leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region, I spoke of the robust and beneficial trade relationships that the United States enjoys with our 20 fellow APEC members – 61 percent of total American manufacturing exports are destined for APEC economies, and roughly 3.7 million American jobs are supported by those exports – and about the potential to gain even more job-creating opportunities for American workers, families, and businesses by increasing engagement with and exports to our partners in this fast-growing region.

I talked about the progress made at this week’s APEC ministerial meeting on increasing services trade within APEC, promoting trade in cutting-edge environmental goods and services, and making it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs across the Asia-Pacific to take advantage of market opportunities.
 
I echoed the President’s call for the United States and its trading partners to work toward economic growth that is both balanced and sustainable.  And I spoke of the opportunities presented to American workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and service providers by the United States’ engagement in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, announced by President Obama on Saturday morning.

 

Engagement in the Asia-Pacific region is vital to America’s trading future.  If we want to create the jobs Americans need, we must gain further access to Asia-Pacific markets.   As I told hundreds of business leaders in Singapore on Saturday, we must work together to bring home the benefits of trade.

 

Ron Kirk is the United States Trade Representative

whitehouseblog @ 09:28 pm: "I am Here Because I'm a Daughter"

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/14/i-am-here-because-im-a-daughter

"And when all is said and done, part of why I believe so strongly in reforming our health care system is because of the difference it will make for these women who gave us life -- so simple -- these women who raised us, these women who supported us through the years" -- so said the First Lady in explaining why she wanted to speak about how health insurance reform will affect older women in America.  She followed several other women who were willing to share their difficult and even tragic stories dealing with the status quo, and thanked them for speaking out.

The First Lady has spoken before about the many ways in which reform will benefit women in particular.  And as for the impact on all Americans as they become seniors and rely on Medicare, the Vice President gave the scare tactics propagated by defenders of the status quo the contempt they deserve.  The First Lady made sure to cover all of that ground again, but also made the point that older woman have their own specific circumstances:

And I don’t think anyone here will be surprised to learn that a recent study found that one-third of all women have either used up savings, taken on debt, or given up basic necessities just to pay their medical bills.  And as many of you know firsthand, these kinds of problems -- the problems of coverage and cost -- only grow worse when you get older, making quality, affordable coverage harder to come by just -- as we’ve seen today and heard today -- just when you need it the most.

In the individual market, people in their early 60s are more than twice as likely to be denied coverage than people in their late 30s.  Older women are more likely than men to face a chronic illness, but they’re less likely to be able to afford the cost of treating that illness.  And in recent years, studies have shown that women over the age of 65 spend about 17 percent of their income on health care.  And that’s just not right.

Our mothers and grandmothers, they have taken care of us all their lives; they’ve made the sacrifices that it takes to get us where we need to be.  And we have an obligation to make sure that we’re taking care of them.  It’s as simple as that.  America has a responsibility to give all seniors the golden years they deserve and the secure, dignified retirement that they worked so hard to achieve.  (Applause.)

 

whitehouseblog @ 08:22 pm: Heading to Singapore

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/14/heading-singapore

Though the local time was 3pm, as I walked down the main corridor aboard Air Force One, it may as well have been the middle of the night given row after row of sleeping people.  This is officially day three of the President's trip to Asia, and if our colleagues who travel ahead of us to get things set up (called the advance team) are to be believed, this is when the jet lag catches up with you. It gets better from here. 

Don't tell that to David Axelrod, Senior Advisor to the President. When I arrive to set-up this taping, I find David hard at work along with Robert Gibbs in the Air Force One conference room. "Maybe I should do the taping after dinner? Should I even be eating dinner? What time is it?"

What time is it actually? A glance at almost any wall on the plane gives you three time zones to choose from, the most unsatisfactory is 4:30am Eastern Standard Time.

David's eyes slide from the food tray to the beckoning computer, "We better do that taping now. Are you all set?"

Arun Chaudhary is the official White House videographer

whitehouseblog @ 07:10 pm: Reactions Following President Obama’s Speech in Tokyo

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/14/reactions-following-president-obamas-speech-tokyo

While getting ready to do this taping with Jon Favreau, the President’s Chief Speechwriter, my Blackberry was buzzing in my pocket, carrying new instructions for a motorcade movement, pushed up by over 2 hours. What was going to a leisurely stroll to find the perfect location for our Japan update, became a scramble to secure a suitable section of the lobby.

whitehouseblog @ 06:51 pm: In Tokyo, Our Common Future

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/14/tokyo-our-common-future

Read translations of the President's speech in Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese or Korean. 

For some, our relationship with the nations of Asia may not always be at the forefront of their minds.  The President's sweeping speech at Suntory Hall in Tokyo was a powerful argument for why that should not be so.  Indeed the President noted that to the extent this attitude has been reflected in our government's neglect of the emerging multilateral organizations in the region, this mistake would not be made again: "I know that the United States has been disengaged from many of these organizations in recent years. So let me be clear:  Those days have passed."  The rapid pace of development on virtually every front in Asia creates an environment of almost endless opportunity for collaboration and innovation through our ties.

whitehouseblog @ 01:15 pm: Power for India, Jobs for the U.S.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/14/power-india-jobs-us

Ed. note: You can always keep up with Secretary Chu through his Facebook page.

Before joining President Obama in China on Monday, I am visiting India, another crucial partner for the United States as we meet the challenge of climate change and help speed the transition to a clean energy economy.

India has three times as many citizens as the United States but consumes just 15 percent as much electricity. But in the coming decades, India is likely to become the third largest energy consumer in the world, following China and the United States. In a "business as usual" future, India's demand of coal will be 60% higher than projected its domestic production. The demand for oil could be 10 times the domestic supply.

whitehouseblog @ 05:00 am: Weekly Address: Veterans Day and Fort Hood

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/14/weekly-address-veterans-day-and-fort-hood

The President looks back at a week where we honored those who serve on Veterans Day, and mourned those we lost at Fort Hood. He discusses the review he has ordered into the Fort Hood incident, and pledges to stand by our servicemen and women, as well as our veterans, as his most profound responsibility.

whitehouseblog @ 08:17 pm: Meeting Female Students in Abu Dhabi

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/13/meeting-female-students-abu-dhabi

On Sunday, I joined a group of young Arab women at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss the importance of educational opportunities and the value of public service for women in countries around the world.

I stressed the benefits to the security and development of every society that come from the advancement and equality of women around the globe. I told them that President Obama and the United States are committed to working with our international partners to help ensure that all women have opportunities in education, public service and the global economy -- a big part of the reason why we formed the White House Council on Women and Girls.

The students at Zayed University responded with questions about everything from U.S. foreign policy to the challenges and excitement of running for office. They were especially interested in what it was like to become the first female U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. I told them it was an honor to serve alongside the numerous extraordinary women who serve the Obama administration in Cabinet-level positions.

I also had a chance to learn from the students. They told me about the progress the UAE has made in advancing educational opportunities for women, encouraging public service and expanding the roles of women in society and government.  My hosts told me that, in recent years, the UAE has undertaken extensive education reform efforts in order to enhance the nation’s growing economy and culture and provide young Emiratis with a competitive option to complete their studies at home rather than abroad.

After working to advance equal opportunities for women throughout my career, seeing the progress women have made in UAE firsthand was exciting. These young women are poised to become the world’s next generation of leaders, and their success -- whether in economics, security, or public service -- will benefit us all.

Janet Napolitano is Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security

whitehouseblog @ 05:40 pm: The United States and Asia: "Inextricably Linked"

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/13/united-states-and-asia-inextricably-linked

"Well, we have come to call each other Barack and Yukio," said Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of Japan in a joint press conference after the first meetings of President Obama's trip to Asia. 

The Prime Minister went on to discuss the almost infinite range of issues on which our two countries are aligned and working together.   President Obama also gave full recognition to the importance of the relationship:

We have to understand that the future of the United States and Asia is inextricably linked.  The issues that matter most to our people -- issues of economic growth and job creation, non-proliferation, clean energy -- these are all issues that have to be part of a joint agenda.  And we had very productive discussions about these issues this evening.

It's true that because of the strength of our economic ties, that was not the first item on our agenda, but we are fortunately going to have the opportunity to spend a lot of time discussing that in Singapore in the coming days.  As the world's two leading economies, we have spent a lot of time working together in the G20 to help bring the world back from the brink of financial crisis, and we're going to continue to work to strengthen our efforts so that we can expand job growth in the future.  And we will be discussing with our APEC partners how to rebalance our deep economic cooperation with this region to strengthen our recovery.

The Prime Minister and I discussed our cooperation on Afghanistan and Pakistan.  And I did thank the people of Japan and the Prime Minister for the powerful commitment of a $5 billion over the next five years to support our shared civilian efforts in Afghanistan, as well as the commitment of a billion dollars to Pakistan.

This underscores Japan's prominent role within a broad international coalition that is advancing the cause of stability and opportunity in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  And I shared with the Prime Minister our efforts in refining our approach to make it more successful in the coming year.

We discussed our shared commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and ultimately seeking a world without them.  Since I laid out a comprehensive agenda in Prague to pursue these goals Japan has been an outstanding partner in those efforts.  And together we passed a historic resolution in the Security Council last September.  We are building a new international consensus to secure loose nuclear materials and strengthen the nonproliferation regime.

And to that end, we discussed both North Korea and the situation in Iran, recognizing that it's absolutely vital that both countries meet their international obligations.  If they do, then they can open the door to a better future.  If not, we will remain united in implementing U.N. resolutions that are in place and continuing to work in an international context to move towards an agenda of nonproliferation.

Finally, we discussed our partnership on energy issues and climate change.  The United States and Japan share a commitment to developing the clean energy of the future and we're focused on combating the threat of climate change.  This is an important priority for us; I know it's an important priority for the people of Japan.  And we discussed how we can work together to pave the way for a successful outcome in Copenhagen next month.

So I believe that we are off to a very successful start.  I'm looking forward to continuing the conversation during dinner, as well as as we both travel to Singapore.  And I am confident that we will continue to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance so that it serves future generations.

whitehouseblog @ 03:57 pm: "America's Last Frontier"

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/13/americas-last-frontier

En route to Tokyo, the President made a special stop to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska—"America’s Last Frontier."  In his first visit to the state, against a stunning backdrop of snow-covered mountains, the President pledged his support to the brave men and women who sacrifice every day and outlined what he and his Administration have been working on to ensure active servicemembers, their families, and veterans are well taken care of both at home and on foreign soil:

There are no words that are strong enough and no tribute worthy enough to match the magnitude of such service.  But to you and all who serve, I say this:  The American people thank you.  We honor you.  And just as you have fulfilled your responsibilities to your nation, your nation will fulfill its responsibilities to you.

So as your Commander-in-Chief, here’s the commitment I make to you.  We’ll make sure you can meet the missions we ask of you.  That’s why we’re increasing the defense budget, including spending on the Air Force and the Army.  (Applause.)  We’ll make sure we have the right force structure.  So we’ve halted reductions in the Air Force, increased the size of the Army ahead of schedule and also approved a temporary increase in the Army.

We’ll spend our defense dollars wisely.  So we’re cutting tens of billions of dollars in waste and projects that even the Pentagon says it doesn’t need -- money that's better spent on taking care of you and your families and building the 21st century military that we do need.

I want you guys to understand I will never hesitate to use force to protect the American people or our vital interests.  (Applause.)  But I also make you this promise:  I will not risk your lives unless it is necessary to America's vital interest.  (Applause.)

And if it is necessary, the United States of America will have your back.  We will give you the strategy and the clear mission you deserve.  We will give you the equipment and support that you need to get the job done.  And that includes public support back home.  That is a promise that I make to you.  (Applause.)

xkcd_rss @ 05:00 am: iPhone or Droid

http://xkcd.com/662/

whitehouseblog @ 11:30 pm: A Closer Look at Business and Health Insurance Reform

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/12/a-closer-look-small-business-and-health-insurance-reform

Today's report from the Business Roundtable (pdf) – an association representing leading U.S. companies with more than 12 million employees – confirms that the health care spending path we’re on is unsustainable, and that the bills working their way through Congress are moving us toward cost containment and greater fiscal responsibility.  

The Business Roundtable (BRT) report adds to a growing body of evidence that workers with employer-sponsored health insurance coverage will see lower cost growth and lower premiums from health insurance reform as supported by the President and as contained in the bills being considered in Congress. Health insurance reform not only contains cost growth for the government and so reduces the long-run budget deficit, it will also lower premiums and expenses in the private sector and throughout the health care system – for businesses, workers, and their families.

As documented in the BRT report, rising health care costs are placing an ever-increasing burden on employers and on the millions of Americans with employer-sponsored health insurance. In the absence of reform, the BRT projects that rapidly rising health care spending will restrain job growth and reduce the growth of employee wages. Without reform, the report projects that average per-employee health care costs at large employers will triple over the next decade. The report estimates that health insurance reform as currently proposed in Congress, when fully implemented, would reduce the overall health care cost trend for employer-sponsored health insurance by 15 to 20 percent over the next ten years. This would reduce per-employee health insurance costs by $3,095 in 2019, relative to what they otherwise would have been.

This is consistent with the findings of the Council of Economic Advisers report, "The Economic Case for Health Care Reform," which finds that reform could increase income for a typical family of four by $2,600 in 2020, and increase the nation’s real GDP by nearly 2 percent in 2020, and 8 percent in 2030.

The BRT report estimates that the delivery system reforms that are included in current draft legislation have the potential to spread beyond Medicare and Medicaid to private insurance plans. In this way, they can substantially reduce the growth rate of overall health care spending, which eats into the take-home wages of workers with employer-sponsored coverage every year. The BRT report finds that delivery system reforms have the potential to make health care more efficient without compromising on quality.

For example, the BRT report points out that the House and Senate reform proposals contain provisions to encourage Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), which are groups of doctors working together through joint decision making to coordinate care for patients. The report  "find[s] that private-sector savings from initiatives such as these can be very positive."

The report also describes how the House and Senate reform proposals encourage payment bundling for Medicare, where doctors and hospitals are paid for an episode of care, rather than individual treatments. Bundling payment gives providers incentives to provide quality care for an overall condition or hospital stay, improving efficiency and reducing costs over the long run.

Finally, the report highlights many other reforms that improve efficiency and quality while reducing costs – such as paying providers based on their performance through Value-Based Purchasing, preventing hospital readmissions, and an independent commission to consider reforms to make Medicare spending sustainable and fiscally responsible over the long run. 

Christina Romer is Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers 

turk_diddler, posting in birdlovers @ 09:49 pm: Bird Tango


Enjoy.

whitehouseblog @ 08:39 pm: Staying in Touch During the Asia Trip

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/12/staying-touch-during-asia-trip

Earlier today, the President left for Asia, stopping over in Alaska before heading to Tokyo, Japan.

During this trip, we’re going to try something new.  To offer an inside perspective to everyone back here in the U.S., Ben Rhodes, the Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, will provide frequent updates on the trip.

Watch his first video, and be sure to check back for new faces and stories: 

 

whitehouseblog @ 07:15 pm: The Work of the Office: White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/12/work-office-white-house-office-faith-based-and-neighborhood-partnerships

President Obama announced the creation of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships on the 17th day of the President’s new Administration. Since then, our Office has been pretty busy! I thought it'd be helpful to give you a little context on what we've been up to.

Our office is situated within the Domestic Policy Council. This placement allows our office to have close interaction with governmental leadership on issues of importance to nonprofit organizations, from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the President’s Budget. The President has tasked this office with focusing on four special priorities: involving faith-based and neighborhood groups in the economic recovery, promoting responsible fatherhood, fostering interfaith cooperation and building common ground to reduce unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion, along with the White House Council on Women and Girls. The Office also coordinates the President's Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. This Advisory Council is a group of 25 leaders from both faith-based and non-sectarian organizations, each serving 1-year terms. The Advisory Council forms recommendations on how the Federal Government can more effectively partner with faith-based and neighborhood organizations. The White House Office also coordinates and works with 11 Centers and 1 Strategic Advisor placed in Departments throughout government to implement the President’s priorities for this office. Each Center works to connect its own agency to local faith-based and neighborhood organizations. For example, our Center at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) connects local organizations and groups preparing to respond to disaster situations to the ongoing activities at DHS and FEMA. Our Center at the Department of Education works to connect that Department with local organizations to provide after-school programs. So each Center is an important link between the federal government and local neighborhood organizations.

Our Office has been active on numerous fronts, from coordinating President Obama’s fatherhood initiative  to working with the National Security Council on President Obama’s ‘New Beginnings’ speech given in Cairo, Egypt to Muslim communities around the world. We also engage faith-based and neighborhood organizations on a range of issues, from the upcoming 2010 Census through our office at the Department of Commerce to foreclosure counseling at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Our job is to make sure that the Federal Government is coming into responsible interaction with local nonprofit organizations. We look forward to working with you on these priorities!

whitehouseblog @ 06:00 pm: This Veterans Day Took on a New Meaning

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/12/veterans-day-took-a-new-meaning

Ed. Note: Learn more about Darienne's work here at the White House in a New York Times audio slideshow.

In my family, military service is tradition.  My grandfathers were infantry and airmen.  My mother is a Gulf War veteran; my father was a Noncommissioned Officer.  Among my siblings, three of us are Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans.

We serve this country out of a profound sense of duty, with the knowledge that the freedom we enjoy today was secured for us on the backs of generations who were willing to go forward and fight for it.  We serve out of commitment to the values of dedication and sacrifice.  We serve because it is an honor.  Veterans Day is a day we call each other to give thanks for one another and for the time we have together; to pay tribute to those we have lost, and to say prayers for those serving in foreign lands.

This Veterans Day took on a new meaning.  The day prior, I had the honor of traveling to Texas with the President and First Lady, where we attended the memorial service for the soldiers and civilians that were killed at Ft. Hood.  I watched as they individually addressed and embraced the families that had lost their loved ones, the soldiers who were wounded, and the first responders who provided aid.  I witnessed the First Family grieving with our larger military family, and I was moved to tears. 

It reminded me, once again, why I joined Barack Obama's presidential campaign in the first place – a sense of duty.  I wanted more for my country, and saw that he did too.  I wanted more for our Veterans, and I see progress for them every day thanks to the tireless efforts of our Veterans and Wounded Warrior team.  I wanted more for my family and my future, and I'm watching that become a reality through improved veteran’s education benefits.  I see new laws and executive orders that help veterans find jobs and reliable health services.  I see our Commander-in-Chief fighting for these policies, for people like me, the members of my family, and our troops – and I am proud to have served him and our country as a civilian and as a soldier.  

Darienne Page is the West Wing Receptionist

whitehouseblog @ 05:15 pm: The President Announces a Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/12/president-announces-a-forum-jobs-and-economic-growth

As the President was preparing to leave for his trip to Asia this morning, he took a moment to discuss the economy, which will of course have a central role in his discussions with leaders throughout the trip. He made clear that while we have come back from the brink of what many predicted would be a depression, he will not be satisfied until robust job growth returns. Towards that end, he announced that in December he will bring minds and stakeholders together for an intensive jobs forum:

As I've said from the start of this crisis, hiring often takes time to catch up to economic growth.  And given the magnitude of the economic turmoil that we've experienced, employers are reluctant to hire.

Small businesses and large firms are demanding more of their employees, their increasing their hours, and adding temporary workers -- but these companies have not yet been willing to take the steps necessary to hire again.  Meanwhile, millions of Americans -- our friends, our neighbors, our family members -- are desperately searching for jobs.  This is one of the great challenges that remains in our economy -- a challenge that my administration is absolutely determined to meet.

We all know that there are limits to what government can and should do, even during such difficult times.  But we have an obligation to consider every additional, responsible step that we can [take] to encourage and accelerate job creation in this country.  And that's why, in December, we'll be holding a forum at the White House on jobs and economic growth.  We’ll gather CEOs and small business owners, economists and financial experts, as well as representatives from labor unions and nonprofit groups, to talk about how we can work together to create jobs and get this economy moving again.

It's important that we don't make any ill-considered decisions -- even with the best intentions -- particularly at a time when our resources are so limited.  But it's just as important that we are open to any demonstrably good idea to supplement the steps we’ve already taken to put America back to work.  That’s what this forum is about.

whitehouseblog @ 04:20 pm: Word from the White House: Business Roundtable Hewitt Report "Health Care Reform: Creating a Su

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/12/word-white-house-business-roundtable-hewitt-report-health-care-reform-creating-a-sus

It's no secret that institutions of all stripes focus their communications on certain messages day to day. We thought it would all be a little more open and transparent if we went ahead and published what our focus will be for the day, along with any related articles, documents, or reports. 

Supporting report: "Health Care Reform: Creating a Sustainable Health Care Marketplace," Business Roundtable, November 2009 (pdf)

Talking Points: Business Roundtable Hewitt Report "Health Care Reform: Creating a Sustainable Market"

The BRT report confirms that the status quo is unsustainable.  The BRT report finds that without health reform, costs will continue to rise at the same trend they have for the last ten years.  The report concludes that without reform, by 2019, employment-based spending on health care for large employers will be 166% higher than today on a per-employee basis. 

The BRT report confirms that Congress is moving in the right direction on both fiscal responsibility and cost containment.  The BRT-Hewitt report finds that many of the delivery system reform policies that are currently in health reform legislation will make important contributions to cost reduction, when implemented effectively. As the report explains, "[a] number of the proposed reforms offer real promise, not only to save federal dollars, but also to reduce the rate of increase in private sector spending if adopted and implemented appropriately."

These policies include: value-based purchasing, a new CMS Innovation Center, "accountable care organizations" and reducing preventable hospital re-admissions.   The BRT report also notes that with additional steps such as administrative simplification, electronic medical records, and increased information transparency for better decision-making, even more savings could be reached.  Some of these additional policies were included in ARRA and many others are included in health reform legislation currently pending in Congress. With health reform, as much as $3,000 could be saved by 2019.  The BRT-Hewitt study finds that with many of the legislative reforms currently in the health reform bills, costs could be reduced by as much as $3,000 per employee.  

 

whitehouseblog @ 02:01 pm: Support for Working Families: Paid Leave and the Healthy Families Act

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/12/support-working-families-paid-leave-and-healthy-families-act

Last week Vice President Biden hosted a panel of experts to highlight the unique challenges facing the middle class in our 21st century global economy. One thing we heard over and over again is that work-family balance is a real challenge for most middle class Americans.

For the millions of American workers who lack paid sick leave, personal leave or family leave, being able to take time off is a matter of economic security. This is especially true for the 3.7 million working adults with children under 14 and no other adult or older child to share child care responsibilities.

The stakes are even higher when the worker or a family member is coping with a contagious illness – like 2009 H1N1 - given that the consequences of an employee’s decision to go to work when ill or to send a sick child to school can adversely affect many others.

Unfortunately, current law does not protect the economic security of workers in these situations. Full economic security requires two assurances.  First, workers who take leave because they or their children become sick must not lose their jobs or risk some other form of disciplinary action by their employers.  Second, workers must have a source of income while they are temporarily on leave.

The Department of  Labor testified on Capitol Hill Tuesday in support of the Healthy Families Act, which would provide the security that workers need, allowing millions more working Americans to earn up to 56 hours per year of paid sick time to care for themselves or their families. It assures them job security when they take leave and provides short-term continuation of workers’ incomes while they recuperate from illness or provide needed care to a family member. 

At the Department of Labor, we are striving for good jobs for everyone. And one of the key components of a good job is having the flexibility to meet caregiving as well as workplace responsibilities.  We believe that work-life balance includes policies such as paid leave, flexible work schedules and telework options, employee assistance programs, and access to child care and elder care support.  

Thanks to the leadership of Vice President Biden we are proud to work with our colleagues in the Cabinet and the Middle Class Task Force to improve work-life policies, and efforts are underway to see how we can better meet the needs of modern working families. The Department’s testimony in support of the Healthy Families Act pointed to one important step in that direction.

Hilda Solis is the Secretary of Labor

jamiam @ 06:39 pm: A brief word on the existence of female misanthropes
A month ago somebody, I forget who, pointed to the Schroedinger's Rapist discussion, possibly in response to this XKCD comic. I can't find a link to that particular discussion (sorry!) but here's a good post in which the comic is mentioned in the comments.

So, now. David has managed to stumble headfirst into a giant nest of entitled, whiny, stone-deaf solipsism. I think he says what need to be said, but in the meantime, the discussion reminds me of the thing that was missing from the original Schroedinger's Rapist post:

...specifically, the article doesn't even really touch on the possibility that I, as a woman, might not want to talk to you even if the situation is totally safe and I know that you are a nice guy. I STILL don't want you to waste my time with your attempts at hitting on me. I'm not currently in the market for, as Ms. Starling puts it, "a mutually respectful and loving sexual relationship." In fact, I don't even care if I've misconstrued your intentions and you just want to "be friendly", because guess what? All my slots for "casual male friends" and "friendly conversations with random guys" are filled for the rest of the month. And the month after, too.

What I want? Really? Is to be allowed to sit and read my book in peace. THAT is why my body language is emphatically radiating misanthropic frigid bitchy hate rays.

And the more attractive the woman is, the more unsolicited conversations she has to put up with. Some women enjoy that attention; others grow weary of it. And if a woman happens to fall into the latter category, and if you ignore her body language, then Schroedinger's rapist is not even on the table, because the probability that you are engaging someone who doesn't want to be engaged in a conversation at all is already 100%.

And before you start in with the "But, but, but"s, please note that I have mentioned "body language" twice in this post. So does Ms. Starling; so does Mr. Schwyzer. So there's your free pointer.


now be sweetheart and get lost, 'kay?

Tags: can't take me anywhere, gender