Rep. Issa Uses The Least Effective Argument In The World
In a video opposing a bill granting four weeks of paid family leave for federal employees, Rep. Darrell Issa displayed his inability to present a coherent counter-argument. The logic behind his opposition to paid family leave? North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba are among the 163 countries that "have recognized the importance of providing paid leave to families."
Grasping At Straws
California Congressman Darrell Issa produced a video in which he criticized H.R. 626, the "Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009."
At 2:15 into the above video, Rep. Issa features the remarks by Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who initially introduced the bill.
Congresswoman Maloney says:
"163 countries have recognized the importance of providing paid leave to families. 163 countries cannot be wrong."
A rational person would hear this and immediately think: "Wow. There seems to be a global consensus regarding the importance of caring for newborn infants."
I said "a rational person," which apparently doesn't describe Congressman Issa.
Immediately following Congresswoman Maloney's remarks, the video features text asking: "Could these guys be wrong on paid parental leave?" The video then features NORTH KOREA, IRAN, VENEZUELA, and CUBA, with each country's name accompanied by a photo of its respective dictator.
Is he serious? Is his best argument actually that four countries the U.S. doesn't like "recognize the importance" of newborn children having their parents at home to care for them? That we should refuse to help dedicated public servants because Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hugo Chavez do the same?
Is he implying that in order to exert our American sovereignty, we should pursue domestic policies opposite those of all countries we view unfavorably?
I'm willing to guess those four countries have hundreds of laws mirroring those of the United States (including those outlawing crimes like murder and theft and social issues like gay marriage). Does he earnestly believe the U.S. should change them all?
No, he doesn't.
Rep. Issa has every right to oppose any bill he chooses. But attempting to link advocates of paid family leave to the evil regimes of North Korea and Iran is immature and downright ignorant.
