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Entity reports on the sexist GOP letter to the editor that suggests equal pay is bad for the economy.

A sexist letter to the editor arguing against equal pay has been making the rounds on Twitter.

In it the writer makes the archaic argument that having women in the workforce is “bad for families and thus for all of society.” And… it was just published this week.

That’s right, the ridiculous message wasn’t a nightmare throwback from the Fifties. Nope, a man currently serving as the Wasatch Co. GOP Vice-Chair firmly believes that equal pay would be bad for all of society.

James C. Green explains, “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.” Right, because that’s how that works.

Entity reports on the celebrity response to the GOP sexist letter to the editor.

Celebrities such as comedian/actor Billy Eichner have shared their outrage over the GOP sexist letter on Twitter.

His arguments are based on the premise that men are considered the “primary breadwinners,” so if any money is taken away from their salaries – to give to women, apparently – then they will have to work even harder to take care of their families.

Or worse, mothers may even be forced to go out and join the workforce to make up the difference, competing for more of “men’s jobs,” forcing businesses to pay even less, which would then send even more women in the workforce – and so the “vicious cycle” continues.

The letter – which he had published in both the Wasatch Wave and the Park Record – stems from his issues with Senate Bill 210, which would require employers to adopt base-line policies about equal work and pay. Green urges “legislators to drop the whole notion.” 

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Okay, this letter is ridiculous for a number of reasons, but let’s begin with the “men’s jobs” part. Green seems to suggest that there aren’t really women in the workforce, and therefore any who enter it and demand equal pay are stealing it from the men.

Well, according to the most recent statistics from the United States Department of Labor, that’s not quite true. Fifty-seven percent of women were participating in the workforce in 2015, which is not much lower than men’s 69 percent.

Furthermore, data showed that 70 percent of women with children under 18 were active in the workforce in 2013. So it’s not as if women working is some new trend that’s going to drastically throw off the economy.

And women receiving equal pay doesn’t mean men will instantly be making less. It simply suggests that if two people are doing the same job at the same level and with the same proficiency, one of them shouldn’t be getting paid less simply because of sex.

Entity reports on the Department of Labor data that seems to prove the GOP sexist letter wrong.

Department of Labor data seems to prove the GOP sexist letter wrong.

Obviously that money has to come from somewhere, and we’re not economists, but it seems like more of a budgeting issue than the full-on economic collapse Green is suggesting.

He has since apologized for the letter, saying he had meant for the main message to be that the government shouldn’t meddle with private establishments’ policies on employment, hiring or wages.

However, he did end the note by saying, “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.”

The humble brag about his sons aside, he is still focusing on the necessity of keeping women at home. Did his wife want to stay home? If not, perhaps she could have helped him so he didn’t have to work his “fingers to the bone.” 

RELATED: 4 Successful Businesswomen Who Came From Humble Beginnings

ENTITY fully supports women in the workforce and at home – but let’s be clear: it is not a requirement that women stay home and take care of children. Some women decide not to even have children!

But if they do, the decision to return to work or to stay home with them – both great choices – is exactly that, a decision. Looking at you, James.

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