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From: agz@pucc-k (banta)
Newsgroups: net.women,net.politics
Subject: Re: ERA
Message-ID: <334@pucc-k>
Date: Thu, 27-Sep-84 10:50:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: pucc-k.334
Posted: Thu Sep 27 10:50:30 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 28-Sep-84 07:31:19 EDT
References: <319@hou2g.UUCP>
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Lines: 33


Could the reason (that some people support equal rights for women while
not supporting the ERA) be that we see no reason for legisaltion saying
that women must be treated equally? I agreed whole-heartedly that women
should be equals of men (and vice-versa), but I don't see any reason
that there has to be a law supporting this! I know that women don't get
treated equally in all instances now, in such things as promotion
scales, draft registration, and oppurtunities in certain fields, and I'd
like to see this rectified. But do we *REALLY* need a Constitutional
amendment that says so? I think things are changing on their own and
eventually, and no, there won't be a need for this. People by nature
would most likely do this, but if someone wrings their arm up behind
their back, this might change for the worse. Think about it.

And I'm not sure if this has been brought up previously, but I thought
I'd make the comment. Maybe over fifty percent of the people support the
ERA. That doesn't make one bit of difference. If you check your
documents, a vote of 2/3+ in congress is needed to get the wheels
rolling for an amendment. After that, 3/4+ of the states have to ratify
it.* The Constitution was set up so it couldn't be changed easily. Could
you imagine the amount of flip-flopping in the situation of a simple
majority deciding on amendments? Let's try to keep our heads screwed on
straight on this thing (not that I'm saying anyone doesn't).

*A Constitutional Convention can be called if 3/4+ of the states propose
an amendment to congress.

Days later ...
Andy Banta
{}pur-ee!pucc-k!agz

"Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day, 
 You fritter and waste the hours in an off-hand way ... "