It always amazes me when I hear people say that the feminist movement has achieved its goals. Right. That's why there are only 14 women in the U.S. Senate, even though there are more women than men in the U.S. That's why crimes against women are on the rise in this country. That's why--depite a valiant Second Wave effort to stop them--there are still beauty pageants. That's why female American soldiers are routinely raped and sexually assaulted by their peers. That's why--when Martha Stewart is emerging from a courtroom in a complicated, politically charged federal case--all any of the anchor morons can talk about is her choice of clothing.

A recent report based on 2000 census figures gives us some concrete numbers to study. This report reveals that unless an American woman cleans up harzardous waste or installs telecommunication lines, she is not going to earn as much as men who do the same job.

Consider this: In the field with the highest proportion of female workers, kindergarten and preschool teachers (98 percent women), men had median earnings of $22,000, $5,000 more than for women. Among registered nurses, 91 percent were women, and their median income was $42,000. Median income for men was $45,000.

This is a sexist society, and our lawmakers are not going to do anything to change it unless they are forced.