Political Quotes

“Mr. President: We all fill many roles in our lives. We are workers, parents, sons and daughters, and members of our communities. We struggle to do well in each responsibility. But when the demands of work overshadow the rest of our lives, our lives feel out of balance. This legislation gives millions of American workers the opportunity to restore that balance--to be good employees and responsible citizens and family members, too. They deserve no less.--Senator Ted Kennedy delivered these words on December 6, 2007. With those words, Senator Kennedy introduced the Working Families Flexibility Act in 2007. Today, I continue his essential work by reintroducing the legislation he championed. Millions of Americans face unbelievable demands on their time due to work and familial responsibilities. Thirty years ago, people worked fewer hours and it was commonplace for one parent to stay at home while the other worked. Today, 70 percent of households are led by either two employed parents, or a single parent. There are numerous demands on our personal time. Parents spend countless hours on childcare, caring for older relatives, doctor's appointments, kids sporting events, and school activities--on top of putting in a full day at work. Then, there is the time it takes to get to work. It is not uncommon for people to spend hours every day in their cars, or on some form of public transportation, getting to and from work each day.…”