Letter: Romney’s backing of Walker explains why he trails Obama among women, he says

TO THE EDITOR: About the time Republicans were calling the “War on Women” a liberal fantasy, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, on April 5, quietly penned his signature on Senate Bill 202, which repeals the Equal Pay Enforcement Act.

The law that Walker axed provided legal recourse for women who have been paid less than men for equal work.

The Equal Pay Enforcement Act, passed in 2009, was designed to discourage employers from discriminating against women and other groups by providing workers with more options by which they can press charges. For example, it allows individuals to sue in more affordable and accessible state circuit courts rather than federal courts.

Scott Walker and Republicans in the state legislature thought it was a bad idea. Republican State Sen. Glenn Grothman, who championed the legislation, defended the repeal of the Equal Pay Enforcement Act, saying, “You could argue that money is more important for men.”

Stephen Colbert, on Comedy Central, suggested this hot tip. “If you’re going to sue your employer for unequal pay, hire a lady lawyer—much cheaper!”

On a recent campaign trip through Wisconsin, Republican Presidential contender Mitt Romney repeatedly praised Gov. Scott Walker’s leadership, calling him a “hero” and a “man of courage.” Perhaps this explains why a recent ABC News/Washington Post Poll showed that Romney trails President Obama 38 percent to 57 percent among registered women voters.

Tags: opinion, letters, politics