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Friday, February 26th

Lisa welcomed listeners on Friday by admitting that she was "in a mood" because of a news story that has fairly significant implications for the president. Lisa talked about the successful fundraising campaign led by Barack Obama and David Plouffe, which utilized the Internet as a medium for both marketing and outreach. The team was able to raise more than has ever been raised, in small increments. After the campaign was over, Obama continued his campaign under the name "Organizing for America." Lisa signed up for the campaign to stay informed of the messages being sent to supporters, and she says that the messages have always been disturbing to her because they have been in the nature of lobbying for specific reforms. Lisa says that, "when you're president, you're supposed to be president for all of the people."


Lisa said that while although Obama played moderator on the health care reform debate, trying to listen to the opinions of both parties, she is upset because it came out last night that one of the messages that he is sending is that conservative talk radio hosts need to be targeted by people in favor of health care reform on the "Obama side of the equation." She calls the targeting of conservative talk radio hosts extremely insidious. She calls this a move where Obama is being sneaky and an underhanded display of power, in that he is acting only as the president of some people in this situation. She called it a "huge double standard."


As a reminder, Lisa told her audience about a "Meet the Press" event that she would be at for Rudy Marconi, who is running for governor. The free event was held on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.


Lisa returned from a news break playing a clip from the health care debate, asking viewers their opinions on the forum. Lisa called the discussion educated and informed. She pointed out pros and cons from both the Democratic and Republican sides of the argument. While she found the Democratic argument ideal, she called the Republicans more realistic because of the current financial bind that our country is in. Lisa explained the financial side of the medical industry and how hospitals and those who cannot afford health care are becoming bankrupt, also pointing out the conglomeration of insurance companies.


As an example, Lisa told a story of a friend of hers who went to Norwalk hospital after a board fell on him while he was working as a contractor. He wasn't covered under workman's compensation, and didn't have the appropriate insurance, but Norwalk Hospital treated him, discharging him after one night. The bill was $43,000 for one night's stay in the hospital and several tests. Lisa questions what that bill was about. Her friend first went into panic mode, and then called the hospital to inform them that he did not have insurance. Lisa explained the two-tier system of those with insurance, and those without. After that explanation, he was able to negotiate a deal for hundreds of dollars as opposed to the thousands that he originally owed.


Lisa used this example to show that there is already so much wrong with the health system, saying that she is cynical in thinking that the federal government's plan would be any better. She expressed her opposition of being forced to purchase health insurance under penalty of jail. Health care, Lisa says, will no longer be private. She admits to lying about things that identify her when she does not believe that they're essential to the particular application/situation. If the health care bill is passed, Lisa says, the health care provider will be required to fill out a form similar to the 1099 form with the IRS, who will be the major enforcement agency to cross-check for health insurance. She thinks they should follow a public option like is seen abroad in France or the United Kingdom, especially because tax money is paying for it, but not to fine or imprison those who wish not to participate.


Lisa welcomed Friday's guest, Suzanne Riss, editor-in-chief of Working Mother Magazine. Suzanne was calling from New Jersey, commenting on how snowy the weather was in the area, no different from the weather in Connecticut and New York.


Lisa segued into a story about Obama's policy initiative that is receiving a lot of flack, where he wants to make sure that the people doing business with the federal government are paying their workers a living wage, which in many cases is higher than the wages that they're making now. He is receiving flack because people believe this is his way of helping big businesses at the expense of small businesses and a gift to unions at the expense of small, non-unionized businesses.


Suzanne said that at Working Mother they are very concerned with benefits and wages that women, and really all employees, earn. So, if there's a policy that's being considered to improve wages and benefits, that's something that the magazine is interested in hearing more about, especially because they published a "100 Best Companies" article, where they specifically look at company policies involving wages, benefits, maternity leave, etc. Benefits like this, she says, makes business sense and creates loyal employees.


Lisa calls this a "no-brainer." Suzanne says that the government is not doing all that it can do to protect workers. She says this can be seen in big business where women have to fight for things like lactation rooms. Working moms have a hard time getting benefits in the United States, especially in terms of maternity benefits compared to the rest of the developed world. The United States and Australia, as was discussed on Wednesday, are the only two industrialized countries to not provide mandatory paid maternity leave. Harvard conducted a study of 168 countries, 163 of which provide paid leave.


Lisa suggested to Suzanne that she interview Helen Benedict about the way the American women in the military are being treated. Suzanne called the treatment of women in this country shocking and disturbing, especially as more women are working than ever before, even in the case of being the primary breadwinner.


In terms of statistics, the recession has made a big difference. Men have been much harder hit than women in layoffs, 75 percent of the jobs loss in the recession have been held by men. Fifty-one percent of workers are women, which Suzanne calls historic. Lisa added that women also outnumber men on college campuses. Standard household gender roles, as Suzanne explained, are being renegotiated.


Lisa brings up actress Goldie Hawn and why her first marriage broke up, which she said was because Goldie made more money than her first husband, which ended up causing a great deal of tension in the marriage. Suzanne says that the male ego is delicate and has been bruised badly by the job loss. She suggests that women acknowledge that, because society expects men to be the primary breadwinner, and it's hard for them to identify other positions as worthwhile in the workforce and in the home.


Lisa returned from a news break to continue the conversation about the reversal of traditional gender roles. Thirty-one percent of households have wives earning at least as much as their husbands. Lisa asks Suzanne about why the recession was harder on men, and Suzanne said it was because men were earning more money than their female counterparts. Unfortunately, she said, women still earn seventy-five cents on every dollar that men earn. Lisa asked if this was because negotiations aren't forceful enough. Suzanne says that there are more female CEOs, and that they are getting better at these negotiations, taking the spots as breadwinners for their families. Lisa asked if Working Mother is concerned with the number of men attending college being less than the number of women. Lisa mentioned her concern as a mother to both a son and a daughter. She explained with the number of job losses for men, coupled with the decrease in enrollment in higher education, men fall into a deep depression because of their historical tendency to define themselves by what they do for a living. Suzanne agreed, saying that this is why this time in our economy and society is particularly difficult.


Lisa commented on her own relationship with her husband Bill, who she's been married to for 28 years, saying that he expresses on how he longs for the day when she'll make as much as he does, relieving some of the financial stress placed on men.


Suzanne said for more information, listeners can go to www.workingmother.com to feel a sense of community and really support one another.


Transitioning to news, Lisa mentioned the SeaWorld story about the killer whale. She says that people who train with animals, should operate under the doctrine that they assume the risk. She commented that despite the intelligence that an animal might have, we do things at our own risk. SeaWorld resumed shows on Saturday, but trainers stayed out of the water. The whale was not punished, and remains an active member of the team. Lisa talked about how despite the fact that the animal world is complicated, we are involved with it. She believes that animals and human counterparts can grow rather close, and that animals have emotions and can feel love. Lisa was appalled by the idea that anyone would have even entertained the idea of punishing or killing the whale. She says that the SeaWorld shows are enormous revenue producers, and that money is the only barrier from setting the whales free, relating it to elephants in the circus.


Speaking of the animal world, Lisa mentioned something that was published in the Stamford Advocate, that announced that animal control officers and veterinarians around the region are scrambling to contain one of the worst outbreaks of a deadly virus that can quickly kill dogs by destroying their digestive tracts. It's called called Canine Parvo Virus. Officials say that shelters are are particularly at high risk because of their stray dogs and that the dogs are kept in such close quarters. Puppies are particularly susceptible, because the vaccine doesn't really kick-in until the puppies are 16-weeks old. The vaccine, $20, is given in three doses, and can help prevent the spread of the Parvo Virus.


For 2 tickets to the March 7 showing of The Vagina Monologues, Lisa asked listeners, "Which first lady started a clinic that is very famous for alcohol and drug abuse problems?"


After a news break, Lisa asked listeners to call in about any weather or traffic related news.


A caller named Susan correctly answered Lisa's trivia question with, "Betty Ford." Lisa and Alan proceeded to have a quick lesson on vocabulary, stemming from the word "eponymous."


In news, Lisa talks about Governor Paterson and his issues with David Johnson, who rose from driver to a person with a real name and title. In addition to his work life, his personal life reveals a lot of issues with women, including violent acts. A woman who was recently considering pressing criminal charges was called by the State Police, who Lisa points out have no jurisdiction in domestic disputes. Lisa says it's too noisy for the governor to be around. She then talked about the comparison of baggage between Gov. Paterson and Andrew Cuomo, not to mention Spitzer's media frenzy with prostitution.


In breaking news, a 6.9 earthquake hit off of Japan's southern coast. A tsunami warning was issued as a result of the quake. It occurred off of the coast of Okinawa. The depth of the quake was 6.2 miles. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Lisa makes reference to the Jewish proverb, "We make plans and G-d laughs," saying it's one of the truer phrases, because people cannot control their destiny.


Lisa mentioned weather news talking about the giant iceberg the Mertz Glacier Tongue, at 985 sq. miles, breaking off, that threatens to slow the production of cold, salty water. This could eventually lead to harsher winters, and endanger penguin populations.


Lisa mentioned a discovery about a new device called a "micro ear" or optical tweezer where scientists can listen in to cells, as closely as they look at them. She comments on the brilliance of the idea of utilizing a different sense to learn about the human body. Lisa jokes about her experience with science while mentioning the technical specifics of this device, saying that she graduated from Johns Hopkins, but knows very little about science, playfully calling herself a scientific ignoramus. This device is being called truly exploratory, in that scientists are not sure exactly what they will find. Lisa compares this technology to the idea of a sonogram.


In the last ten minutes of her show, Lisa talked about the organization Jane Doe No More, mentioning that the organization has an event on March 12, 2010 at the Trumbull Marriott. On that note, Lisa mentioned the statute of limitations in child abuse, cutting off a victim at age 48, or 30 years since the alleged victimization. This would mean that people who are victims of these crimes can sue at any time. The argument is that so much time may have elapsed where it may no longer be fair to the accused, especially because of the way evidence changes as a result of unreliable memories, to be prosecuted.


Desiree Rogers resigned from the White House on Friday after receiving a lot of bad press revolving around the reality TV-seeking couple who crashed the white house party in an attempt to be a part of the Bravo series. Desiree said she is parting ways to pursue jobs in the corporate world.


Other interesting news involving comic book sales, an original edition Batman was sold for $1,000,075. Lisa prefers Superman over Batman because of truth and justice. She said the only Batman she ever enjoyed was the Adam West version. She ends her show by once again declaring her enjoyment of Superman by saying, "Clark Kent can turn around in my phone booth anytime, as far as I'm concerned."


Tune into the Lisa Wexler Show to hear the news and schmooze, Monday-Friday, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.


Written by: Alexandra Kirsch (kirscha2@msu.edu)