I just watched a report on Good Morning America about paid maternity leave for mothers. The US is one of 5 countries that doesn’t have paid maternity leave. It’s interesting that people were shocked about this. I’ve been talking about it for 11 years–since I had my first kid. I’m one of those people who probably wouldn’t take more than about 3 months, but I still think it should be an option. The worst part of the story was when someone from the labor department–a woman, in fact–said that people should just save their money and plan for these things. Well, when you’re talking about a baby, maybe you can, but if your spouse gets cancer? Can’t really plan for that. It’s the standard right-wing response, though. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. It’s not our problem.

USA Today Coverage.