Posted on 11/07/2005 8:38:45 PM PST by kemathen7
WASHINGTON - A group of religious leaders is pushing Congress to increase the federal minimum wage. The wage is currently $5.15 an hour
That works out to $10,700 a year for those who earn the minimum. Last month, the chief of Wal-Mart -- H .Lee Scott -- surprised many by urging lawmakers to raise the minimum, saying it would help shoppers who need the money. Supporters say raising the minimum wage is the right thing to do for everyone.
But critics say it could crush small businesses. "They don't have the ability, like some of the larger employers who just, you know, absorb the higher cost and go on their merry way," says Marc Freedman, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"We believe a job should keep you out of poverty, not keep you in poverty," says Rev. Bob Edgar, with the National Council of Churches. The last time the minimum wage was raised was in 1997.
Reporting at its worst.
Churches should start worrying about the souls of their congregants; and quit worrying about everything else.
If you work at a minimum wage job for a WHOLE YEAR, and don't earn a raise, then what kind of worker are you?
Let's just raise the minimum wage to $20/hour. We'll just plant a few more money trees.
They don't want to mention how obscure and few and far between these guys are...
So let's see, we raise the minimum wage and the price of everything goes up to pay for it. Or wait, are the corporations just supposed to hand over their profits from their stockholders and just charge the same price so the minimum wage earners catch up?
More incentive to stay at your lousy job and fool yourself, thinking you can slack AND afford to live.
How many would never have made something of themselves without having worked minimum wage?
If they really love people, they'd make sure everyone makes at least $50K per year. Of course, then a hamburger would cost $20.00. Plus $5.00 for a soda.
Says who?
Silly argument. You listen to Hush Bimbo too much.
NCC was taken over by the Soviets shortly after WWII. They are still essentially socialists even though nobody is paying them to do so anymore. Like Jim Wallis/Al Sharpton/Jesse Jackson/Barry Lynn, they don't really represent anybody in any congregation in America but they use the title to promote state control (so much for their beloved separation of church and state).
Can't you just see the furrows on Ted Kennedy's brow, as Wal-Mart pushes for increasing the minimum wage while small busenesses accuse WM of doing so as a ploy to drive mom and pop out of business?
Who would the left pander to here?
When you volunteer to be taxed to the hilt to subsidize higher wages for those currently making minimum wage, then we'll talk. So, any other glories of socialism you'd like to share with the studio audience ( that in-forum thing under your handle is great, isn't it? )
There was a time when I failed to even see the need for a minimum wage..........and I was making about 3 bucks an hour at the time.
But I read an article in the local rag on Saturday where developers are claiming that $225,000 - $275,000 is considered affordable housing. This, in a county with an average income of $32,000 a year?
I do not believe the government should be telling people what they should be paying their employees, although some regulation is needed and understandable.
HOWEVER.........I lay much of the blame on all of this on the NIMBY (not in my back yard) crowd that doesn't want this that or the other thing around them, but expects services to be provided. All I can say is that someone has to pay for what they want, but if they refuse to allow agriculture or manufacturing with their onerous regulations, well that's just tough on them and they better learn to live with it.
That was just the headline........later in the article it was stated that $450,000 was also in the realm of affordable housing.
I'm sure it is for those that choose to get up in the morning and leave for work saying "Bye house, I'm off to pay for you'" and return in the evening to say "Hello house, I'm back from today's effort to pay for you."
I can't imagine living that way.
As I said, you listen to Hush Bimbo too much.
Raising the minimum wage means everybody else gets a pay cut.
Not true. Economy is not a zero sum game.
Not implying that it is a zero sum game.
Inflationary pressure...When prices go up it effectively drops your wages. And every dime you have banked is devalued.
So if higher wages are bad, then lower wages must be good according to you? What about zero wages ie restoring the slavery or serfdom?
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