Commentary and Opinion 2004

2004/2003 Commentary

Deficits not caused by entitlements

06.30.2004 | Marilyn Watkins | Social Security finances are sound and it's a valuable program we easily can afford as our population ages. Rushing to slash benefits in a program that is successfully keeping 90 percent of seniors and more than 5 million children out of poverty is unnecessary and will cause lots of harm. Full Column | Seattle Post-Intelligencer »

Balancing work and family

08.15.2003 | Marilyn Watkins and Judith Litchman, | This month all Americans can celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Family & Medical Leave Act going into effect. In the past decade, more than 40 million U.S. workers have been able to take time off from work to be with their new baby, to care for a seriously ill family member or to recover from their own serious illness without fear of losing their jobs. U.S. families are healthier and stronger because of the FMLA and businesses have found that making the workplace more family-friendly has made workers more dedicated and productive, while reducing costly turnover.Full Column | Seattle Post-Intelligencer »