"Let's Get on Board with Paid Leave"

A while back I read an article regarding paid maternity leave: Let's get on board with paid leave.  I'm not sure if a paid family leave program like the ones in California or New Jersey would apply to a part-time employee like myself, but I know many other families who faced financial hardship during what should be a joyful time. 

I'm sure that there are many critics out there who would say that programs like this encourage people to abuse the system, or that women choose to give birth, or maybe even that people should have a financial plan before starting a family.  The article does not directly address these arguments, but the data on the benefits is very convincing.  And you know what?  Life happens.

This issue may not concern you in the least.  But we all have a mother.  We have sisters, aunts, nieces, coworkers, friends who are mothers.  I remember, before I was one myself, a time at an old job when I filled in for a woman on maternity leave.  When she returned, I caught her up to speed.  She had to come back to work as soon as possible because her family couldn't afford to be without her earnings.  She had to separate from her six-week-old son, and was on the verge of crying all day.  Now that I've given birth myself, I can imagine how painful this must have been for her, not only emotionally, but physically, too. 

Why are we, as a society, willing to tolerate this?  Why do we fight for so many things, but not for family? As a nation enduring an economic crisis, haven't we realized that quality of life is more valuable than anything?  Who's in charge here?