Posted on 01/12/2007 12:52:23 PM PST by GeorgiaDawg32
Video link on foxnews website, www.foxnews.com left side of the screen..
According to FoxNews, pelosi now says Samoa is INCLUDED..
Her trickle-up theory apparently won't go over very well with the people there, as their representative had this to say (pay attention to para 2) regarding the devastation of the Samoan economy if this goes through:
"In a statement in response today, Faleomavaega (American Samoa delegate) said "despite recent claims made by the Washington Post which suggest that American Samoa is exempt from the federal minimum wage process, I wish to set the record straight." He says since 1956, the Wage and Hour Division of the US Department of Labor has conducted Special Industry Committees every two years in American Samoa to determine minimum wage increases.
"While these Industry Committees have been phased out in other US Territories due to their more diversified economies, American Samoa continues to be a single industry economy. In fact, more than 80% of our private sector economy is dependent either directly, or indirectly, on two U.S. tuna processors, Chicken of the Sea and StarKist. As has been repeatedly stated at our Special Industry Committees, a decrease in production or departure of one or both of the two canneries in American Samoa could devastate the local economy resulting in massive layoffs and insurmountable financial difficulties," the Congressman says.
"For this very reason, I do not support efforts to apply mainland minimums to American Samoa at this time. The truth is the global tuna industry is so competitive that it is no longer possible for the federal government to demand mainland minimum wage rates for American Samoa without causing the collapse of our economy and making us welfare wards of the federal government."
Fred's gig with "Law and Order" is too sweet, especially comparing that to a run for the presidency.
I'm sure he's making $5 mil a year for six months work. Still, if he decided to run, he'd get my vote.
Actually, you hit the nail on the head. With the Federal minimum wage not changed in so many years, most states do set their own state minimum wage that is higher.
So in effect what you suggest is already standard practice, and the Dims are messing it up!
SAMOAGATE!
I'm sure he's making $5 mil a year for six months work. Still, if he decided to run, he'd get my vote.
I don't believe that for one minute. Anyone who runs and makes it does not do it for the money. He quit for some reason and I do not believe Law and Order had one thing to do with it. All that said, I too would vote for him.
Our first Dem-controlled Congress scandal of 2007, that is.
You guys alREADY make lots of money!!!!
No matter...
...we want Samoa!!!!
I don't think we have a COSTCO here in Midland.But that is not the point.
Pelosi is helping Starkist, therefore, I will not buy Starkist or any other Tuna that is processed/canned in an area that survives while we all suffer with unfair wage laws.
If that means I never eat canned tuna again - so be it. Just doing my part for my own conscience.
You have to wait for apple pie and Motherhood to be checked out first.
Since prior to today, that woman had not blinked even once since her last plastic surgery, it is an indication that she was lying through her teeth. She engineered this exception for the tuna fish plant, and now she's been caught.
Congressman Billybob
I don't believe the government has the right to tell any company how much to pay their employees.
Why don't we just reduce the minimum wage to 67 cents/hour so that everyone is on a "level playing field"?
My tiny little fish store here in Virginia can't afford the new minumum wage either. BUT, my fresh tuna is only $9 a pound!
SAMOAGATE!"
Republicans spent all of their 'leadership time' yesterday on the floor of the House, making speeches about this issue.
O.K., I'm going to go with the Kirkland brand now to fix their wagon! It tastes just as good!
Exactly. What ARE they thinking? Did they think no one would notice this exemption? I'm starting to think DelusionLand is a real place.
Good point.
I wonder if we have a FR W.I.C. expert, someone who knows how products become W.I.C. eligible and how the corporations are paid for those products. Tuna, cereal, baby food, milk/dairy, and fruit juice are the main products. And peanut butter.
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