Posted on 11/16/2006 11:10:42 AM PST by Quilla
It looks like full steam ahead for a significant boost to the federal minimum wage when Democrats assume control of Congress in January.
Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts said Thursday that increasing the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 would be his top priority as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
On the House side, incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., already has listed an increase in the minimum wage as one of the issues that would be taken up during the first 100 hours of the next Congress.
"Americans are working harder than ever, but millions of hardworking men and women across the country aren't getting their fair share," Kennedy said during a speech outlining his legislative agenda for next year. "We're not rewarding work fairly anymore, and working families are falling behind."
President Bush signaled readiness last week to consider some Democratic priorities such as a minimum-wage increase, overhauling immigration policy and finding compromise on renewing the No Child Left Behind education law.
Critics of boosting the minimum wage say it kills job creation as employers hire fewer entry-level workers to compensate for the higher wage expenses. Kennedy said the minimum wage has remained at $5.15 an hour for nearly 10 years.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Oh, yeah, remember Charlie Rangel and Mississippi? Put simply, wages and standard of living is higher in blue states. In MA and NY, it's not easy to find a job for less than $7.25. But it makes the wages (even union wages) at the auto plants in Alabama shoot up.
Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2005
...you forgot one major characteristic...THEY ARE LOSERS!
There goes the .99 menu at Wendy's!!
No its not!
It's the illusion of free money.
If everyone makes the minimum wage then the cost of goods and services rise proportionately and the minimum wage worker can't afford anything he couldn't afford before.
The minimum wage only makes politicians (Democrats)look good.
1. It starts teenagers out as Democrats because they are naive enough to think the politician got them something.
2. It makes unions happy because it gives them an excuse to demand more money.
$7.25/hr would kill most state governments because it would price union road construction costs through the stratosphere.
Good point. Lots of avenues to consider with this issue.
Yep, and that's just the beginning.
But maybe now I can order at McDonalds without talking to people. I can work that stupid cash register myself.
And that means more self-checkout lines at Walmart, and maybe a few at my Target, too.
Of course, unemployed teenagers means lots of crime, but what do I care, I don't live in a dysfunctional city.
Try to remember...dems do not have a MANDATE! Bush has a veto stamp!
Bush better have a veto pen ready
It was sarcasm dude.
Twelve of my 15 employees have been with me since the day I opened in 1988. Many of the gents make well over $20/hour and have health insurance, dental, and retirement provided entirely by company monies. It's all a matter of what they are worth, if they producing. I offer advancement. If one chooses not to accept additional responsibilities, how does that fit your "what goes around, comes around" theory?
Oh, I think the dims know full well that it will cause inflation and unemployment. It will give them something to use against the GOP in 08. "It's the economy stupid" attack.
We'll see how long after this is implimented it takes for the unemployment numbers to go up.
No, but I once had a 29.17% increase in my salary. But, I had to leave one employer for another in order to obtain that increase.
Well, don't forget that most minimum wage earners are young unmarried kids or young adults with minimal education and job skills - NOT breadwinners.
But, if you are over 25, have a high-school diploma or less, are not married, have no marketable skills, still live at home, and earn minimum wage... that would in fact tend to indicate the Big "L"
Minumum wage is a government construct created way back when workers first started organizing unions, and the Govmnt figured this was a way to keep employers from taking advantage of the labor force. Now it is primarily for entry level jobs for those with out any real work experience or skills. It was never intended to be a "living wage" and the Dems need to stop seeing this as the issue. People working for minimum wage need to be encouraged to move up the employment ladder, not just accept another government handout. They will never be able to get ahead by waiting for the Dems to give them more.
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