Equal Pay?

Does U.S. need stronger law to ensure women make as much as men in the same job?

For years there has been talk about a pay gap between men and women. Most Americans believe in equal pay for equal work. We have a 1963 law on the books saying just that. But more than 50 years after the law pay disparity still exists and fighting against discrimination can be an uphill battle.

One country decided get tough. On Monday, Iceland became the first country to make it illegal to pay women less than men in the same job in companies with 25 or more full-time employees. The companies must apply for and receive government certification of equal pay practices. Those that don’t comply can be fined up to $500 a day.

For quite a while Iceland has been ranked the best nation in the world in addressing the gender pay gap. But even there women are paid on average more than 20 percent less than men. Iceland says parity will be the norm by 2022.

We want to know what you think. Should the U.S have a stronger, enforced law requiring equal pay for equal work with penalties for companies that do not comply? Or should government stay out of it and allow companies to continue to deal with the matter on their own?

Send your response (50 words maximum) to opinion@texarkanagazette.com by Wednesday, Jan. 10. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St., Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday’s paper.

Last Week: Marijuana and Veterans

Last week’s question was about medical marijuana and veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does not allow their doctors to recommend patients for medical marijuana cards nor will the VA pay a penny for medical marijuana. Should VA doctors be allowed to recommend veterans for medical marijuana cards and should the government pay for the substance on the same basis they would any other prescription medicine? Or do you think that is a bad idea?

From www.facebook.com/texarkanagazette

Allow veterans the option, along with their doctor of choice, to make up their own mind and if they choose to use it. VA should pay for it.

Unfortunately the VA has to follow federal guidelines. That’s why we need to repeal the prohibitions at that level.

Keep this in mind. The fed’s do not recognize marijuana as a therapy. Until this changes you relinquish your Second Amendment rights.

When you get your medical marijuana card, they will take your gun rights away. If you are stupid enough to think other wise, you better read the regulations.

They have fought for our country and our freedom and they can’t have a choice that’s been passed by law. That’s like telling them that their injuries no matter mental or physical isn’t important and that they still have to suffer with no help from the government that sent them there, so what did they fight for? A lifetime of torment from the country they kept free? It’s ridiculous.