Letter: Peter Roskam, Todd Akin Are 'Birds of a Feather'

Don’t be fooled!  Peter Roskam and Todd Akin are birds of a feather.  We may be appalled by Akin’s ridiculous claims about legitimate rape not resulting in pregnancy, but both Roskam and Akin are of the same mind when it comes to women, women’s rights and women’s health.  Peter Roskam is a proud co-sponsor of HR 3, which redefines rape to narrow a woman’s right to choose.  Both Roskam & Akin would like to redefine to separate so-called “forcible rape” from statutory rape.  As our President said, “rape is rape.”  Gentlemen, do you really want to legitimize rape that results from adults taking advantage of vulnerable, underage children?  Shame on you Peter Roskam!
 
If you are skeptical, just look at Roskam’s voting record on women’s issues. Roskam voted against HR 2831, the Equal Pay Act that would designate that unequal payment based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability is a new violation with each payment.  He voted against S 181, the Employment Discrimination Law that requires that employers be able to prove that any disparities in pay between male and female employees are job-related (Sec. 3) and that prohibits employer retaliation against employees who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their own wage or that of another employee. He also voted for amendment 95 to HR 1 that prohibits use of federal funds for Planned Parenthood – never mind that the main business of Planned Parenthood is to provide critical health care and cancer screening for millions of women who otherwise would not have access.
 
But hey, Peter Roskam did vote for HR 3541, the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act that prohibits abortions based on the race or gender of the fetus.  I guess he believes in equality of the sexes until a baby is born.  Then all bets are off – especially if you were born female!
 
If the women of District 6 would wise up and see Peter Roskam for the anti-female congressman that he is, they would vote for one of their own – Leslie Coolidge.  Remember, this vote is not just for today’s women, but to ensure a safe, healthy and prosperous future for our daughters as well.
 
 
Dianne Kennedy

Elmhurst, IL