Democrats Finally Wake Up to Need For Minimum Wage Hike

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

By Ralph Nader

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0624-20.htm

<snip>

At last, led by Senator Kennedy, they are attaching amendments to legislation and last week got 52 Senators to back raising the wage to $7.25 in three stages. At that level, minimum wage workers would earn an additional $4,370 a year to support their families.

However, the Republican filibuster opposition can only be overcome by getting 60 votes, so Kennedy has a ways to go. But the issue is getting hotter, though far from being visible to most Americans, including poor families.

The best thing going for the Democrats' November prospects is bonehead John Boehner, Republican majority leader of the House who has dug in his heels. His spokesman, Kevin Madden, said Congressman Boehner "remains convinced that a minimum wage hike will destroy jobs." Rep. Ray Lahood (R-IL) is trying to convince his leader, John Boehner, that raising the minimum wage "is a no-brainer. It's just something that we should do."

The loss of jobs argument is the Republican fig leaf hiding added bundles of campaign dollars that ooze intro the Party's pores when the minimum wage remains frozen in time. As one wag put it, by that reasoning, the Republicans should push down the minimum wage to add more jobs...

[skipos]

1. It should be noted NO DEMS voted against it

including the Nelson, Bayh, Lieberman and all the senators that we aren't crazy about.

Another reason that in the senate, even a mediocre (D) is better than an (R).

[PSYSTEM]

2. Is it good though?

I have a friend who owns a restaurant and he says that when the minimum wage increases it cause him to raise the cost of his products in order to cover the cost. All in all, it ends up costing the customer more money not the business/owner. I feel that the minimum wage is just a political tool used by some elected officials to get votes. It only hurts the paying customer in the end.

"You can't something is wrong with out producing a right."

[sonsera]

3. Of course its good and its the right thing to do!

Who can possibly live on 5.15 an hour? Thats $206. a week. Take off 10% for fed taxes and you have $185 left, less state taxes. Your take home pay won't take you home! These people are making less than the poverty level. Thats a total disgrace for a nation like the US. And your friend who owns a restaurant isn't 100% truthful either. Only the kitchen help would be covered by the minimum wage. The wait staff only has to be paid minimum if their tips plus salary is less than minimum wage and that doesn't happen. If anyone in business can't afford to pay their employees more than 5.15 an hr they ought to just close their doors and look for another way to make a living.

[PSYSTEM]

4. ahhhhhhhhh

People with no skills should be the only ones taking jobs that pay these low wages, like college students and tennagers. If you want a higher wage, then seek the training needed get the jobs that pay the money you need to live your desired lifestyle. If you're in a min wage paying job then do something to get out of it or quit complaining. No, what's a total disgrace is that lazy people don't take advantage of the opportunities that are out there to get them good paying jobs, and bleeding hearts like you pander to them for political gain. Not all restaurants hire or need a wait staff, so, I need not go on about that. If anyone in the work force can't afford to live off of 5.15 an hr they ought to just look for another way to make a living.

"You can't say something's wrong without producing a right."

[BuelahWitch]

7. look for another way to make a living?

Like living in Mom's basement? Some of us don't have that luxury.

Prostitution? Selling drugs? What do you mean? You'd have people break the law because businesses are too stingy to pay a living wage?

[flaminbats]

8. what if they can't find another way to make a living?

some people have costly medical problems like cancer and diabetes. Its hard enough earning a wage of $5.15, especially since their high medical costs still puts them in debt. But now they must waste time and money to take classes, most of which will not even help them find work?

Sorry but life is pretty expensive, we should at least help those who are least able to help themselves! A higher minimum wage and Medicare for everyone is a better way to help.

[dweller]

9. oh hell, where to begin?

let's just go ahead and outsource those restaurant jobs, and you can get your next BigMac in India.

college students: are seeking training to get those jobs needed to live 'a desired lifestyle'. Restaurant jobs are helping them achieve that goal.

lazy people don't take advantage of opportunities: what a wide brush you wield there bucko, since you were apparently too lazy to finish your high school education, in particular, English grammar.

"Not all restaurants hire or need a wait staff, so, I need not go on about that" : yeah, you shouldn't go on about that, since your idea of a restaurant appears to be a MickyD's, Hardee's, burger king, which in most areas are known as FAST FOOD establishments, not restaurants. I take it you've never been in a real restaurant, and that's a good thing in the long run since figuring out 15-25% for the tip is well beyond your math skills i'm sure.

'i can always figure out what's wrong by watching the Rightwing' !


enjoy your stay.
dp

[Mythsaje]

10. Yes, yes...

And, wow, college students ARE trying to improve their situation...which is why they're college students. But, in the meantime, they have to pay rent, pay for books (god only knows financial aid goes only so far these days), as well as transportation, utilities, healthcare, and food.

Hard to concentrate on schoolwork when you're worried about everything else.

[Skittles]

5. TYPICAL CONSERVATE

YOUR FRIEND REPRESENTS EVERYONE. GET LOST WILL YA? And learn grammar will you - your stupid quote is not even a sentence.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hippo_Tron]

11. Adjusted for inflation, the minimum wage in 1968 would be $9.00 an hour

And yet somehow in 1968, restaurants managed to survive. The proposal is to raise it to $7.25 an hour. BTW, self advancement is not always possible, especially when somebody has to work full time to support their family. In a civilized society we should guarantee that those who work 40 hours a week will be able to make ends meet.