As the suburbs clamor to reassure business leaders by repealing in advance any "threat" of a sick pay rule in their pro-pro-pro-business enclaves, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel letter writer reminds us of a legislative reality apparently overlooked by the suburbs who want to pre-void the rule, as well as a moral principle that seems to have gone by the wayside.
In the meantime, as long as so many suburbs are racing one another to kill family-friendly legislation before it is even proposed in their cities, maybe business groups like The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce need to grade suburbs on how quickly and cheerfully they adopted their particular anti-sick leave measure and give style points as well.
Hurry, fellow suburbs!
Economic realities acknowledged
Editorial columnist Patrick McIlheran suggested in the Jan. 7 column "More people shafted by sick pay rule" that the paid sick leave ordinance - passed by 69% of Milwaukee voters - is an example of a "runaway democracy" that fails to take into account economic realities.
No doubt economic realities need to be taken seriously, which is why the ordinance calls for a 90-day period to draft implementation laws so that concerns voiced by employers can be addressed. Our actions speak to our values, as do the laws we create. By passing the paid sick leave ordinance, Milwaukeeans made a statement that a sense of responsibility for others still exists.
According to our faith traditions, the highest form of charity is the one that helps a person rise out of poverty - an effort dignifying to both parties. Milwaukee's defense of family-supporting jobs does not weaken our economy; it brings us closer to a just economy and world.
Far from being a case of "runaway democracy," the 90-day rule of the paid sick leave ordinance invites democratic cooperation to explore ways to build a strong business community that expresses our most cherished values.
David Baruch
Milwaukee
Ok I'm confused. Shouldn't a person who is in the throes of Poverty in the City of Milwaukee be working HARDER?
And rewarding them with 9 extra days off accomplishes this how?
Posted by: Michael J. Cheaney | January 22, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Wow. That was actually pretty vile on a couple of levels.
Posted by: John Michlig | January 22, 2009 at 09:40 PM
John, you've been 100% dead-on in your posts regarding sick leave. I'm proud to have been able to cast my vote for it last year. I'm fortunatey enough to be doing well for myself now and have a job that offers ostensibly unlimited paid sick leave, but having come from a meager background I understand firsthand the hardships endured by parents working low wage jobs that force you to choose between a paycheck and your/your family's/the public's health. Though anybody with the capacity to empathize should be able to recognize that. In this great country that should never, ever, have to be a choice.
Shouldn't the businesses whining about this stop crying "victim", pull themselves up by the bootstraps, and use this as motivation to get out there and achieve just a little more to compensate?
And shouldn't my conservative friends who've railed against my city's ordinance never again be allowed to tout their "family-values" cred?
Posted by: JCG | January 23, 2009 at 12:10 AM