You take that back!
Posted on 01/12/2007 6:33:26 AM PST by GeorgiaDawg32
As part of their first 100 hours plan, Democrats are pushing a hike in the minimum wage. It's going to happen, with several Republicans and even President Bush prepared to go along with it. But did you know that American Samoa...a Democrat stronghold...is being exempted from the minimum wage increase?
And just what are the reasons being given for this? According to the chairman of the House, Education and Labor Committee, Democrat George Miller of California, the economy of American Samoa doesn't have the ability to handle the United States' minimum wage and should be exempt. Nice try...want to know the real reason? The answer is the tuna industry and like the product itself, this one stinks to high heaven.
The average wage for tuna workers in American Samoa is $3.60 an hour. One of the biggest employers there is Starkist Tuna...which is headquartered in San Francisco...Nancy Pelosi land. Anybody care to take a closer look at the campaign contributions of Democrats in the last election? One thing is for sure, the delegate from American Samoa, a Democrat, is loaded down with campaign cash from the tuna industry.
So there you have it...a double standard. On the one hand, we're told you can't raise a family on $5.15 an hour and the minimum wage must be raised to $7.25 an hour. But for the right price in campaign contributions, the tuna industry in American Samoa can avoid the minimum wage altogether...they just have to stuff the pockets of the right Democrats. Where is the media on this one?
Will the press be taking a closer look at Nancy Pelosi's campaign finance disclosures? Probably not. But somebody will.
It is only Democrats who mandate what every employer must pay every employee, except if you happen to be a contributor to the Democrats.
It is not so much that corruption is a purely Democrat trait. Far from it. It is just that since the Democrats seize power and support far-ranging policies that can make or break entire industries overnight, folks are far more eager to bribe them to protect themselves.
The surest way to get money out of politics is to get politics out of money. If politicians weren't intent on screwing with their business all the time, most businessmen would be happy to leave politicians alone. But if politicians are going to capriciously decide whether you enterprise prospers or perishes, a prudent businessman must do everything he can, including bribery, to protect his interests.
Nancy says starkist is the best tuna
Living on an island, any island, is more expensive than the mainland. Everything must be imported at great expense.
"I can't find any big bucks coming to her from Del Monte. Not to say they aren't there, but if they really aren't, I'm very curious why she did this. A quid pro quo? If so, for what/whom? Hope someone does some digging."
They have all sorts of ways of 'hiding' this stuff. Individuals that work for the company,other companies invested and/ or part of the company under different names, etc.
It would take a alot of time to track it all down.
Del Monte HQ in her district in SF. This move may be for future profiteering.
You take that back!
This is a silly issue to pontificate on. American Samoa does have significantly lower wages than the continental US or even some other overseas territories.
Here is the Annual Report link from the link you posted:
http://www.delmonte.com/company/annual/2006/index.html
Lots of info there.
Wonder how much StarKist has donated to Nancy over the years?
I think the point is 'meet the new boss, same as the old boss'. Surely you've been here long enough to hear the word RINO.
I watched Steve King (R-Iowa) on cspan with this debate last night. He's good!!
I saw King literally de-ball Spitboy Matthews on 'Hardball' on illegal-immigration... few can slice & dice'm any better.
Naaa. This is Big Tuna
This is Little Tuna
BUMP
I don't know how to look up campaign donations, but looking at the donations of the individual management team might lead us to some interesting stuff. Also, who is on the Board of Directors of Del Monte?
Paul Pelosi, Nancy's hubby, has a HUGE stake in Heinz/Starkist
PAUL PELOSI!!!
Well then. Ahem. Seems like someone should NOTICE THIS, shouldn't they?
Patrick McHenry's exchange with Barney Frank was great too. I love the way "we" make points using wit instead of hate.
But what about the Samoan Children, Nancy?
http://asoiaf.westeros.org/lofiversion/index.php/t14242.html
Billionaire owner of Snapple, Arby's, and TJ cinnimon, Nelson Peltz is currently locked into a proxy battle with H.J. Heinz Corporations board of directors. When Heinz sold StarKist to Del Monte, the terms resulted in Heinz stockholders becoming 74.5% owners of the new Del Monte. Peltz, H.J. Heinz' principle non-family shareholder, is attempting to increase his influence within the company by obtaining another proxy seat. To better his cause, Peltz has enlisted the help of business/real estate investor Paul Pelosi, Nancy's husband. Paul Pelosi's portfiolio includes 3 huge Napa Valley properties in addition to a 17 million dollar position in the H.J. Heinz corporation.
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