House GOP leaders say vote on minimum wage now likely

Boston Globe ^ | July 4, 2006 | Rick Klein

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

Though Boehner said it was a ``cynical ploy" for Democrats to make it a campaign centerpiece

Welcome to election year politics, slappy. It's not like we don't do it too. I mean, come on, the flag desecration amendment? Sure, it's also an effort to reign in the judiciary, but it is really even in the top ten list of things we want from a GOP congress?

polls indicate that voters clearly favor an increase in the wage

So fricken what? Have a debate, maybe use the debate to teach a little economics 101, and kill it.

Boehner acknowledged that GOP leaders are ``probably going to have to find some way to deal with it."

Yeah, let me guess. Bend over. Again.

Being in the majority ought to mean something.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

But a group of GOP moderates told Boehner last week that they believe the House should take up the issue before the midterm elections, to blunt its potential impact at the polls.

What's wrong with RINOs. Right there in a nutshell. Do "GOP moderates" have any priciples?

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

Great Post!

I laughed, I cried, and agree all the way.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

bread and circuses.

[kentj]

If this passes - you might as well get in on the action - buy Dollar Store stocks -

[Coldwater Creek]

I had a great dollar store stock, then the union came in and poof the stock disappeared.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Here's a novel idea: instead of hiking minumum wages and drying up even more jobs, why not lower taxes?

Lol, my bad?

[TheSpottedOwl]

Ooops, #8 was for you too :)

[MinorityRepublican]

They should tie this in with ANWR, unless Senate passes oil drilling amendment, there won't be a "debate" on minimum wage.

[durasell]

Almost assuredly will drive many businesses to turn to illegal immigrants to fill slots.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Almost assuredly will drive many businesses to turn to illegal immigrants to fill slots.

Yeah, I know. Didn't want to include that in my post, though. Watch and see the trolls come out for their morning nutrition break :-/

[durasell]

The increase in the minimum wage is well-intentioned (and probably even needed), but not thought through all the way. In truth, it does nothing to end the "race to the bottom" in terms of wages.

[OldFriend]

Great news for the underground economy!

[durasell]

Which underground economy is that? The underground economy of drug dealers, illegal aliens, eBay, flea markets, the high end service industry, etc. etc.???

[stopem]

Minimum wage has nothing to do with the illegals they get an excellent wage MINUS taxes taken out, they have the best of both worlds.

We spoke with one of those greedy-have-to-hire-illegals type the other day, (we were interviewing lawn services)
he was complaining because the illegals demand an 8 hour day, 2 hour lunches, and leave 5 minutes to 5pm.

[durasell]

There are different tiers in the illegal thing. There are those guys with steady jobs w/established businesses. And, there are those guys who float from job to job working both for established businesses on an "as needed" basis or directly for the individual.

In this second group, taxes aren't paid and the pay is well below minimum wage already. My point was that a rise in the minimum wage will drive businesses to enter the second group.

With unskilled or semi-skilled labor, price is a major factor. Why hire ten Americans for $10.00 an hour to hang sheetrock, when you can hire 15 illegals for $6.00 an hour? Not only are per hour costs are down, but the job gets done in less time.

[TheSpottedOwl]

You're correct that an increase could be needed, but look who's behind it. Some areas in the US could benefit from a desperately needed minumum wage increase. I can't believe how low it is in some states.

At least four things happen when minumum wage goes up. One-less people are hired, two-people get laid off because the employer can no longer afford to keep them on, three-those remaining employees have to do the work of two or three "missing" employees(which inevitably leads to mistakes), four-the cost is passed down to the consumer.

Hiring illegals in some areas of employment will look more attractive, and maybe that's what the game is. I've given up thinking how their minds work in Washington. I just know that I've been there, my grown kids have been there, and if they really gave a damn, they'd lower taxes across the board...starting with the gas tax, income tax, everything they tax.

[stopem]

Hi durasell, I beg to differ. Point being the sheetrock illegal workers in your scenario are not getting paid $6.00 per hour anymore the illegals are getting at least $12 to $15 per hour now and do not have taxes taken out and also receive welfare benefits for their entire family paid for by the American worker. With the exception of the minimum wage earner who doesn't pay any taxes either.

Don't get me wrong I am not saying minimum wages should be higher I am saying the minimum wage earner gets LESS than the illegal who is referred to as cheap labor when in truth they get higher than minimum wage and no taxes taken out.

[xjcsa]

The increase in the minimum wage is well-intentioned (and probably even needed), but not thought through all the way. In truth, it does nothing to end the "race to the bottom" in terms of wages.

How on earth are government price controls on wages "needed"?