S2 E13: Paid Family Leave, Mascots & UK Elections: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

UK Election Results

• The Conservative Party won a majority in the UK election, despite predictions to the contrary.
• The Scottish National Party's success in Scotland raised concerns about Scottish independence.

Boxing Controversy

• The boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao faced criticism.
• The Prime Minister of Cambodia expressed disappointment over the outcome of the match.

Russia's V-Day Parade

• Russia commemorated the 70th anniversary of V-Day with a grand parade.
• Some world leaders boycotted the event, resulting in fewer Western leaders attending.
• Notable figures like Steven Seagal were present at the parade.

Commercialization of Mother's Day

• Businesses, such as JC Penney and Hooters, promoted Mother's Day, highlighting its commercialization.

Lack of Paid Family Leave in the US

• The United States and Papua New Guinea are the only countries that do not provide paid time off for new mothers.
• Federal law grants workers just 12 weeks of unpaid leave, with strict limits on who qualifies.
• Many women have to use vacation time or sick days to take maternity leave.
• Some women are forced to return to work before they are ready due to financial reasons.
• Paid family leave should be considered for both parents, but cultural adjustments are necessary.
• Studies have shown that paid family leave does not negatively impact businesses, despite employer concerns.
• Only three states in the US have paid family leave laws.
• Lawmakers often express support for mothers but fail to support legislation that would make their lives easier.
• The US should address the lack of paid family leave and provide support for mothers.

Mascot Culture in Japan

• Japan has over 1,500 mascots created for local districts, tourism boards, and even prisons to engage with the public.
• Some mascots have become big business, generating significant revenue.
• Mascots have become so prominent in Japanese political life that foreign embassies are creating their own mascots to engage with the public.
• The scale of publicly funded mascots has become a problem, with critics describing them as a waste of public funds.
• The author suggests that the US should create its own mascots to engage people with government agencies, providing humorous examples of potential mascots for various departments.