Kamala Harris Has a Pen and a Phone

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Kamala Harris is one of two dozen Democrats vying for the 2020 presidential nomination. On Monday, Harris proposed closing the gender pay gap by requiring companies to disclose pay data. In addition, she wants employers to secure an “equal pay certification” or be fined. Will these things really help close the gap, or is it a plea to gain attention to try and set herself apart?

This looks like a good idea on it’s face, but no one is a fan of false promises. It is especially bad when they are in the form of handouts. It should be based on experience or merit. Also, can we be positive that bringing about this regulation through executive orders would create the positive change we need, or just sound a horn?

An Ambitious Proposal to Close the Gap

Harris released an ambitious proposal Monday to punish companies that don’t pay women equally. She took an aggressive stand on a pay parity issue that has seen some advances in Congress. The problem is it still persists at the highest levels of corporate America.

Harris’ plan broadly mandates that companies prove they aren’t discriminating against women. The plan proposes to fine corporations that don’t close their pay gaps between women and men. That includes proceeds going toward building up universal paid family and medical leave. Harris’ proposal aims to shift the burden from workers proving pay discrimination by employers to corporations. Employers would have to show they eliminated pay disparities between men and women doing work of equal value.

Kamala Harris proposes that companies would also have to prove existing pay gaps were not based on gender but merit, performance or seniority. They would be required to commit to policies barring mandatory arbitration pacts for job disputes and questions about salary history during hiring. Isn’t it interesting that here they use the word “merit?” Given Democrat’s reaction to President Trumps view on immigration, it is hypocritical to use merit when it is convenient for the Democrats. Merit and experience should always be the basis for someones salary and position.

Shifting the Perception of Women

In the Entertainment Industry the pay-scale for actors and actresses is based on sales and how much “star power” they bring to the project. This makes sense, but the imbalance is pretty insane in some cases. “It’s a bigger issue than money,” says Sandra Bullock. ” I know we’re focused on the money part right now. That’s just a byproduct. I keep saying, ‘Why is it that no one is standing up and saying you can’t say that about a woman?’ We’re mocked and judged in the media and articles.”

“Really, how men are described in articles versus women, there’s a big difference. I always make a joke: ‘Watch, we’re going to walk down the red carpet, I’m going to be asked about my dress and my hair while the man standing next to me will be asked about his performance and political issues.’ Once we start shifting how we perceive women and stop thinking about them as ‘less than,’ the pay disparity will take care of itself. There’s a much bigger issue at hand. I’m glad Hollywood got caught.”

“But Hollywood has always been at the forefront of pioneering a new road and a new movement. So it’s a blessing that they got caught, and there are a lot of outspoken, narcissistic actors like myself who are very happy to talk about the issue and keep it alive. My mother basically raised me as, ‘Women can do everything men can do. Don’t get married. Blaze your own trail.’ And I didn’t think others thought any differently.”

“I always thought we are all equal, and we are. I was actually doing a film about 10 years ago, and I found myself yelling and being angry. And I was like, ‘What is happening to me?’ I was literally fearful. And I realized, it’s because I’m female. It dawned on me. At that day and age, at that point in my career, it was the worst experience I ever had.”

“I was destroyed, because you can’t unsee something. Was I so naive up to this point to actually think that I was on an equal level with everybody? It was the way I was being treated, because I was female, versus the way others were being treated. It took me a while. It took a year and a half, where I regrouped, and thought, ‘Okay, this is an isolated case.’ I’ve had other subtle experiences, but nothing that blatant. It was a big eye opener, because it wasn’t just men on women. A lot if came from women as well. The blessing of that film was that it opened my eyes. “

Remembering Grade School

Kamala Harris’ drive to help bridge the pay gap is encouraging. What is not encouraging, but deeply annoying is a couple dozen or so Democrats giving away “everything” for free. They’re promising reparations to black Americans in order to win their vote. That will never increase a persons drive to better themselves.

Rather, it takes one back to grade school, where seventh and eighth graders are promising better cafeteria food during student council elections. It is high time to eliminate the pay gap. Women are not stay -at-home moms anymore. They are the bread winners in some cases. In addition, their experience, work ethic and merit should be the only basis. Congress needs to get together to make “merit” the lasting impression for what entitles someone to higher pay.