The Scandinavian countries serve as an example. There, because of strong legal dedication to equality of the sexes in the 1980s and 90s, wherein several laws were enacted and monitored for adherence, sex equality has become an accepted norm. “In Norway, mainstreaming of a gender perspective is a national responsibility”. Combining work and family by both sexes is a desired goal; their government actively supports it.

In those countries and ones like them, there is wide recognition of the economic contributions of women’s employment so they make it less difficult for women to manage home and employment. Full-term paid maternity leave and in some instances, paternity leave; and paid, high quality day care is guaranteed so as to encourage empowerment of women to be gainfully employed. Each person is viewed as accountable for his/her own contribution to support of the family. This brings in a welcome balance of revenues.

On the other hand, the US guarantees little assistance for the maternal—at home or at work-- role though it claims strong support for Family Values. This fact puts US women on the same scale as Swaziland, Lesotho, and Papua New Guinea. (Ref., The World Economic Forum, a nonprofit, nonpartisan Swiss organization, 2006)

Florida, in fact, was given the dubious award as the State of “Dishonorable Mention” among all the states when compared across the main human variables. (Ref., Inst. For Women’s Policy Research, Dr. Heidi Hartmann, 2006.)

The US Women’s Chamber of Commerce (one of our Equal Rights Alliance member organizations) recently won a case against the Small Business Association for not upholding regulations to support small businesses, mostly run by women. Such subtle, but serious discrimination is not unusual. Increased revenues flow from businesses that are healthy. It will benefit America’s and Florida’s economy when small businesses are given adequate support to get off the ground.

One out of 7 elderly American women now winds up in poverty due a lifetime of receiving lower incomes to factor into their Social Security and pensions. Working families are denied an average of $4205/a. Equalizing incomes for the same or equal jobs can reduce the public assistance rolls, increase tax revenues and buying power, and at the same time, enhance the quality of men’s and women’s lives…and their children’s---REALLY standing up for Familly Values!

Equal Rights Amendment just makes sense.

Likewise, if American women were duly supported in their efforts for gainful employment and at home, were adequately mentored, were not punished for their family caring role and it were instead reasonably supported, and given equal opportunities for advancement across the board, the economy could benefit immeasurably.

Why would the State of Florida want to deny itself these strong economic benefits? What reason could legislators here have for saying No to the Equal Rights Amendment? Who could be against Equality for All?

Ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment just makes good business sense.

Please VOTE for HCR 8003 or SCR 272 now. Get clear info on the Special Interests that try to mislead you: www.RatifyERAflorida.net / [email protected]. Equal Rights Amendment is just about Equality For All Regardless of sex (--a noun, not a verb).