McCain on women's issues

Lilly Ledbetter lost in the U.S. Supreme Court after providing evidence that she was earning less pay than her male counterparts while doing the same job. She lost because she had not filed her claim within 180 days of first earning lower pay. She wasn't aware of being treated unfairly until after that 180 day window passed. Thus the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was written and John McCain voted against it. Barack Obama voted in favor of this equal pay for equal work act. In 2008 however, women still earn about 77 cents on the dollar doing the same job as men. Obviously more work still needs to be done.

On the issue of women's health, John McCain voted against extending Medicaid coverage for prenatal and infant care to women who are living below the poverty line. He also voted against providing money for breast cancer research. Barack Obama has voted in favor of laws that require insurance companies to cover cancer screening for women and ensure that women and minorities are included in clinical research. He was a sponsor of "Johanna's Law" to increase awareness of gynecological cancers.

John McCain wants to repeal Roe vs. Wade. He didn't always think this way. It seems that running for the Presidency has focused his thoughts in the direction of his "base". He favors smaller government but in the case of a very personal matter, a matter that should be decided by a woman, her doctor and her God, John McCain thinks government is the best judge. These are just three examples of John McCain's stance on women's issues.

Carol Beeler
Lower Windsor Township