By
MARSHA MERCER
The
one big event in 2019 history will remember is the impeachment of President
Donald Trump.
How
future generations will judge impeachment is an open question. Much depends on what
happens in 2020 in the Senate and in next year’s presidential election.
As
this politically and culturally ugly year ends, Americans are in a sour mood. Only
37 percent of us approve of the current direction of the country while 57
percent disapprove, according to the Real Clear Politics average of polls.
And
yet, 2019 wasn’t all bad. There really were bright spots in the gloom.
In
the spirit of the season of hope, I’ll share a few things that make me feel
better about our cantankerous country. I’m sure you can think of others.
First,
about 2.1 million federal employees will be in the vanguard for a benefit that’s
been a long time coming and most American workers only dream of: paid parental
leave.
Federal
workers will have 12 weeks of guaranteed paid leave for the birth, adoption or
foster care of a child starting next October. The measure was part of the National
Defense Authorization Act Congress passed with true bipartisan support and Trump
signed into law Dec. 20.
The
House approved the defense bill 377 to 48, with almost the same number of
Democrats and Republicans in support -- 188 Ds and 189 Rs. The Senate vote of
approval was a lopsided 86 to 8. The idea that Democrats, Republicans and Trump
can agree on anything is close to miraculous.
The
measure is a needed change that sets a new benefit standard for states and
private employers. But it doesn’t go far enough. It does not provide paid leave
for workers caring for a chronically ill spouse, child or other close relative,
as Democrats had sought.
Only
four states – California, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island – have
established paid family leave plans. The District of Columbia, Washington state
and Massachusetts have plans on the books that are being phased in.
Only
about one in five American workers have access to paid family leave, according
to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The United States is
the only industrialized country that does not require paid family leave. Expect
a renewed effort in Congress to change that sorry state of affairs.
The
progress of women in government was another shining facet of 2019.
For
the first time in history, more than two women are competing for a major
party’s presidential nomination. At one point, six women were in the running
for the Democratic nomination. Four remain.
Women
are taking their places in state capitals too. A record number of women – 48
Democrats, 41 Republicans and two nonpartisans -- hold executive offices in the
states, according to an analysis by the Center for American Women and Politics
at Rutgers University. That’s 29.3 percent of the executive positions.
Nevada
in 2019 became the first state where women hold a majority of state legislative
seats – 32 of 63 or 50.8 percent. Virginia set new records for women’s
representation; 41 women will serve in the General Assembly in January.
With Democrats taking control of the Virginia legislature,
the Democratic caucus selected Del. Eileen Filler-Corn as the first woman Speaker
of the House of Delegates and Del. Charniele L. Herring as majority leader.
Herring is the first woman and first African-American chosen for that role.
Women
also made history in the sports world, inspiring a new generation of girls.
The
U.S. women’s national soccer team won the 2019 Women’s World Cup, four years
after its 2015 triumph. Then the Washington Mystics won the Women’s National
Basketball Association championship. Elena Della Donne led the team to victory
while playing with not one but three herniated discs in her back.
“Congrats
to the @WashMystics on a gutsy, first-ever championship!” tweeted former
President Barack Obama. “A great team performance when it counted. If folks
aren’t careful, this title thing might become a habit in DC.”
Amazingly
it happened. The Washington Nationals surprised everyone when, after a
lackluster start of the season, they roared back to win the World Series.
For
once, everyone in Washington was on the same side -- hugging, cheering, weeping
over our Nats. The unity was short lived, but it was lovely while it
lasted.
If
only we could see such team spirit again in 2020.
©2019
Marsha Mercer. All rights reserved.
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