Episode 168

Hypocrisy is pretty much a given when you are in politics. I’ve pointed out the particular hypocrisy of all those flag-waving politicians who shout a full-throated “I support our men and women in uniform” but, then, cut benefits for vets and cut funds for the VA.

Today, I hone in on another hypocrisy: politicians who wax eloquently about the importance of families but refuse to advance paid family leave, a benefit enjoyed by tens of millions of people in other advanced economies. Just days after the 27th anniversary of the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which introduced unpaid family leave, I explore the lack of movement to expand the crucial benefit of paid family leave with Jared Gaby-Biegel of the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

Then, I chat with Lauren Ashcraft, a progressive running for the 12th congressional district in NY and challenging a long-time Democratic incumbent.Episode 168: Pay Up For Family Leave; Ashcraft Aims For NYC Incumbent Take-Down