The vice chairman of the Wasatch County, Utah GOP said Friday that he meant no offense by writing a letter to the editor in two local papers explaining why he feels businesses should not be “forced” to pay men and women equally, local TV station KSTU reported.
James Green was motivated to write the letter, published Wednesday, by a bill in the state Senate that includes a requirement for employers to adopt baseline policies about equal work and equal pay, according to KTSU.
Green said he disagrees with the bill because he believes “traditionally,” men have made more money because they are providers, while women stay home to raise children.
“Traditionally men have earned more than women in the workplace because they are considered the primary breadwinners for families,” the letter read. “They need to make enough to support their families and allow the Mother to remain in the home to raise and nurture the children.”
Green argued paying women equally would take away money from men and force mothers to leave the home in order to work.
“If businesses are forced to pay women the same as male earnings, that means they will have to reduce the pay for the men they employ… simple economics,” the letter continued. “If that happens, then men will have an even more difficult time earning enough to support their families, which will mean more Mothers will be forced to leave the home (where they may prefer to be) to join the workforce to make up the difference.”
The letter sparked swift backlash as it circulated online, and Green told KTSU that he has been in “hot water” since it was published.
“There was no offense intended toward Women, whatsoever,” he wrote in a letter to KTSU. “And yet some took it that way. To those who were offended, I profusely apologize. I sincerely did not mean to do that.”
Read the full letter below via KSTU:
“Dear Residents of Heber Valley,
I submitted a letter last week which some found offensive. First of all, I want to clarify those were purely my opinions and do not reflect those of the Wasatch County Republican Party or the Republican Party in general.
Secondly, I want to clarify the main focus of my letter was to express that I don’t feel the government should be dictating to private establishments what they must do in regard to employment, hiring, or wages.
There was no offense intended toward Women, whatsoever. And yet some took it that way. To those who were offended, I profusely apologize. I sincerely did not mean to do that.
Of course, Women’s contributions in the workplace are just as valuable as any one else’s. I was merely pointing out the historical reasons for pay disparity and the challenges of overcoming that.
While I worked my fingers to the bone (with numerous extra side jobs) so my Wife could stay in the home and raise our two Sons, who are now both Physician/Surgeons (plus one also has a Law Degree), I realize not everyone is so fortunate.
Please accept my apology for any misunderstanding.
Kind regards,
Jim Green”
