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Meghan Markle's letter to Congress

Meghan Markle's letter to Congress

Meghan Markle has addressed an open letter to the US Congress through which she asks for the establishment of the right to paid maternity leave, permission to take care of herself or a sick family member. Meghan writes that her family did not have to sacrifice their livelihood to take care of the child, but not all people have the same opportunities. She writes on behalf of all those who have no voice to be heard.

In some states of America, long-term maternity leave, 1 year or more does not exist.

"Dear leader Schumer and President Pelosi,

I am not an elected official and I am not a politician either. I am like many others a committed citizen and parent. And because you and your congressional colleagues have a role to play in shaping family income, that's why I'm writing to you at this profoundly important time - as a mother - to defend paid leave.

Over the past 20 months, the pandemic has highlighted old defects in our communities. At an alarming rate, millions of women quit their jobs, staying home with their children after schools and nurseries were closed, and caring for full-time family members. The working mother or parent is facing the conflict between being present in the family or being paid. The sacrifice of each of them comes at a great cost.

For many, this sacrifice has been going on for more than the last 20 months; It's been 20 or 30 years, even longer - decades of endless time, body and energy, not just in pursuit of the American dream, but simply in the dream of stability.

I grew up eating a $ 4.99 salad at Sizzler — it may have cost less then (to be honest, I don't remember) —but what I remember was the feeling: I knew how hard my parents worked for afford it, because even with five dollars, eating out was something special, and I felt lucky. And when my group was going out to dinner for a big party, we all picked the same salad again - because that was what their families could afford as well.

I started working in a Yogurt at the age of 13. As a waitress, as a babysitter and other small jobs. I worked all my life and saved when and where I could — but that too was a luxury — because it was usually about earning a living and having enough money to pay rent or throw gasoline at the car. I think many of your voters have their own version of this story. "Maybe you too," Meghan wrote in the letter.

It is further inserted inside the topic.

In June, my husband and I welcomed our second child. Like any parent, we were happy. Like many parents, we were overwhelmed. Like fewer parents, we did not face the harsh reality of going back to work, in those first, critical months, but stayed with our child. We stayed home at that vital (and sacred) stage and devoted ourselves to our children and our family. We knew that by doing so we would not have to make impossible choices regarding child care, work, and medical care that many people have to do every day.

No family should face these decisions. No family should choose between securing a living and the freedom to care for a child (or another loved one, or themselves, as could be a comprehensive paid leave plan)

By caring for your child, you care for your community and your country — because when paid leave is a right, we are building a foundation that helps address mental health problems, health care costs, and economic power, from the beginning. Instead, as it happens now, we spend an entire fortune as a place paying for the symptoms and not the causes. I understand that with everything that is happening these days, people can easily find themselves apathetic about what is happening in Washington, DC And then equally, when you feel like your voice does not matter, you tend to use it "Rarely, but none of us can allow apathy to win," writes Meghan.

It follows:

"I am writing to you on behalf of the millions of American families who are using their voice to say that comprehensive paid leave should leave no room for compromise or negotiation. In fact, most nations have already established paid leave policies. Estonia, for example, offers over a year and a half of leave for new parents who can share it together. Many other countries have powerful programs that give both parents (born or adopted) months to be at home with their child. "The United States, in stark contrast, does not federally guarantee any person a single day of paid leave."

"This is about putting families on politics. And for a refreshing change, it's something we all seem to agree on. At a time when everything seems so divisive, let this be a common goal that unites us.

So on behalf of my family, Archie, Lili and Harry, thank you for considering this letter, and on behalf of all the families, I ask you to make sure this moment is not over.

As always, the Duchess of Sussex ", Meghan closes the letter.