We used to have a saying when I was in grade school, based upon a popular video game:
"It's on, like Donkey Kong."
Meaning, I suppose:
"I am ready to do battle, much as the fearless ape/monkey/chimp (I can never keep those straight) portrayed in the fun and popular video game entitled 'Donkey Kong.' The aforementioned simian exerts himself mightily to defeat his foes, as I too plan to do at this very moment and into the immediate future."
And so my friends, I am happy to report to you today that It is On like Donkey Kong. "It" being alimony reform in Oregon.
We have received the draft legislation that the house counsel's office was kind enough to put together for us. If you email me at robindescamp@yahoo.com I will provide you with a copy.
How Can I Help?
What can you do to help? Lots of little things. First, please officially follow this blog and ask others to do the same, so I can reach more people who are interested in reform.
Email me (robindescamp@yahoo.com) and tell me your situation. If you'd rather talk by phone, we can do that too. We need stories from people who are either struggling with alimony payments, second partners/wives, or those who are married and terrified to get a divorce because of the potential alimony. Do you have a friend who is battling to get a modification in this horrible economy? Tell us about him, and tell him about us!
You don't even need to suffer under this insane and antiquated system to help. Write your legislators and express your support for the reform bill. A few months ago, someone I know who was BRILLIANT enough to marry with a prenuptial agreement asked me "why should I care about alimony reform in Oregon? I'm never going to have to pay."
Kudos for you, I told him, but this is a civil rights issue. You don't need to be gay to support equal marriage rights (although based upon current law penalizing one spouse for working and rewarding the other for not working, I tell my gay friends to be careful what they wish for!). You don't need to be a woman to support equal pay for equal work.
History shows us that the majority often works with the minority to further civil rights when an egregious wrong has been written into our laws. So please, PLEASE help us get the word out about the reform movement and that this bill will be coming up for a vote in 2013. Now is the time to call and write the politicians in Salem and tell them why you think alimony reform is needed.
Texas, a state that I don't consider exactly ahead of the times, enacted alimony reform a long time ago, and there have been no studies I am aware of that indicate the reform resulted in financial inequities or an increase in poverty. In fact, people who had previously not chosen to work because they were supported by someone else were motivated by necessity to put on their big girl pants and get into the workforce. Either that, or find a rich husband, which is a nice alternative for some if that is your mindset. You know the type.
That is all for today. Please contact me and join the movement.
