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Ben Carson backs raising minimum wage
The Hill ^ | May 08, 2015, 12:12 pm | Ben Kamisar

Posted on 05/08/2015 9:42:14 AM PDT by SoConPubbie

Conservative presidential candidate Ben Carson says the $7.25 federal minimum wage should be raised.

“I think, probably, it should be higher than now,” Carson told CNBC’s John Harwood in an interview Friday.

Carson added that government assistance often provides more than the minimum wage in several states, allowing people to ignore the long-term benefits of a job.

"I don't necessarily blame people for saying, 'Look, I can stay home and make this money, or I can go and work this little chicken job that doesn't have many benefits,’ ” he said.

"However, recognize that if you go and take that chicken job, you gain skills, relationships, the possibility of moving up the ladder. So a year or two or five down the road, you're no longer in that position. This is what people have forgotten."

His stance on the minimum wage makes Carson an outlier among the likely field of GOP opponents and comes with Democrats looking to make it a key issue in the 2016 election.

Among fellow GOP contenders Carly Fiorina, former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.) and Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.), Ted Cruz (Texas) and Marco Rubio (Fla.), Carson is the only one backing a wage hike.

Two likely contenders, former Gov. Jeb Bush (Fla.) and Gov. Scott Walker (Wis.), don’t back an increase either.

Bush said that the federal government shouldn’t raise the wage during an event in March. Walker told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in October that he doesn’t believe the minimum wage “serves a purpose.”

Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.), who is weighing a bid, would be the only other Republican candidate open to raising the minimum wage. His advisers told The Hill in February that his stance could help him earn support from working families.

Democrats believe the issue will be a winner for them in 2016, with senators earlier this week proposing a measure that would raise the federal minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020.

That figure goes well beyond the $10.10 wage that Democrats failed to pass when they controlled the Senate.

President Obama initially suggested a $9 minimum wage before backing $10.10. The administration is now supporting the $12 push.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Arkansas; US: Florida; US: Pennsylvania; US: Texas; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: 2016election; arkansas; bencarson; california; carlyfiorina; carson; carson2016; election2016; florida; gope; huckaboob; jebbush; marcorubio; mikehuckabee; minimumwage; pennsylvania; ricksantorum; santorum; scottwalker; tedcruz; texas; wisconsin
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To: EternalVigilance

“Conservatives” argue with “liberals” about what the minimum wage should be, and whether it should be increased, or decreased, and what would be the economic impact of doing so.

And they miss the point entirely.

Communist tyrants sit back, grab the popcorn, and laugh their asses off. THEY HAVE ALREADY WON!!! The “liberals” and “conservatives” have accepted the EXISTENCE of a minimum wage.

“I already know what you are, madam. Now we’re just haggling over the price.”


41 posted on 05/08/2015 10:01:23 AM PDT by NorthMountain ("The time has come", the Walrus said, "to talk of many things")
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To: thorvaldr

I know, I seem to recall seeing this show before only starring Colin Powell.


42 posted on 05/08/2015 10:02:55 AM PDT by mrsmel (One Who Can See)
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To: LS

Dr.Carson is a fantastic neurosurgeon and person. But I don’t know what he’s doing running for President. I’d take Herman Cain , any day!


43 posted on 05/08/2015 10:03:39 AM PDT by 2nd Amendment (Proud member of the 48% . . giver not a taker)
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To: SoConPubbie

Ya....Ben has many great qualities but HHS Secretary is about the right role for him.


44 posted on 05/08/2015 10:04:18 AM PDT by G Larry (Obama Hates America, Israel, Capitalism, Freedom, and Christianity.)
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To: the OlLine Rebel

“If minimum wage was eliminated as it should be since it violates natural law and rights, the illegal alien problem would dry up.”

Not really. If an American won’t do the job at 7.50 he darn sure ain’t gonna do it at 5.50.


45 posted on 05/08/2015 10:04:21 AM PDT by TexasGator
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To: skeeter

In a few years he’ll be older than Hill is—with still no political experience.

He’s the classic case of a guy who wants to transfer to politics from another field at too high a level.

Like Herman Cain, he could have done better running for Congress to start.

But these guys, as they enter their seventh decade are in a hurry and only are interested in being at the top.

Too bad.


46 posted on 05/08/2015 10:04:31 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: NorthMountain
Yep. The liberals (D) and (R) have already lost when they accept the premise that government needs to be involved.

/johnny

47 posted on 05/08/2015 10:04:31 AM PDT by JRandomFreeper (gone Galt)
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To: skeeter
Carson seems a little too flaky for prime time.

Carson Herman Cain minus the sexual harassment scandals - an obviously smart and capable person with zero qualifications for the highest office in the land and zero chances of winning. With their complete lack of political experience and their often bizarre public statements, neither one of them would even be a blip on the GOP radar screens as plausible candidates if it weren't for a certain type of GOPer bending over backwards to prove to the world how non-racist and inclusive they are.

48 posted on 05/08/2015 10:05:04 AM PDT by ek_hornbeck
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To: TexasGator

You’re assuming that he’ll still have welfare alternatives.

Also, you’re forgetting those who become hire-worthy when the wage drops lower.


49 posted on 05/08/2015 10:05:41 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: CharlesWayneCT
Would anybody even care about Ben Carson if his skin was white?

Now that's the $64 million dollar question. I daresay that if it was a white man in his same position, with his same resume, and his same (as stated) stance on issues (or non-stance, as these things dribble out), the answer would be "no".
50 posted on 05/08/2015 10:06:17 AM PDT by mrsmel (One Who Can See)
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To: 2nd Amendment

I won’t disagree there. I favored Mr Cain until they dun ‘em in.

Dr Carson is different from all other candidates in that he is brilliant.

I think he has some big money corporate backers that want him to be the person to sort out the wreckage of Obamacare.


51 posted on 05/08/2015 10:07:07 AM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc.;+12, 73, ..... No peace? then no peace!)
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To: SoConPubbie
Thanks, Ben. I used to feel a little bad about being completely opposed to you running for POTUS because of your flip-flop 2nd Amendment stand.

Now I know was right.

52 posted on 05/08/2015 10:08:07 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (If Obama speaks and there is no one there to hear it, is it still a lie?)
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To: SoConPubbie

Ben carson jumps the shark.


53 posted on 05/08/2015 10:09:50 AM PDT by lowbridge
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To: kabar

Illegals are paid under the table. That is part of the “undocumented” stuff. They are paid under the table to avoid even the MW, which overvalues lots of jobs and skill sets.

My point is there would not be all these illegals flooding the country, and cow-towing to their language and paying for their kids and medical issues, by lib commies, if there were no MW. Americans could be paid less, documented, and there would be less “need” for these illegals if we let the market work all its own, including prices for labor.


54 posted on 05/08/2015 10:09:51 AM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Federal-run medical care is as good as state-run DMVs.)
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To: SoConPubbie

Dr. Carson’s life story is inspiring. He’s a good role model for many young men.

If only he weren’t running for office... Politics is a whole different game. I was hoping he wouldn’t throw his hat in the ring because it’s going to be heartbreaking watching both parties go after him now.


55 posted on 05/08/2015 10:10:16 AM PDT by Tired of Taxes
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To: CharlesWayneCT
Would anybody even care about Ben Carson if his skin was white?

I was waiting for someone else to point out the obvious. If a white neurosurgeon or Pizza CEO ran for President, they'd be treated as a local curiosity and fringe candidate by the media (like I've said before, do you remember software engineer/businessman Jim Lenane's candidacy for the GOP nomination back in 1992? Neither do most people, nor did many people know about him even then). In contrast, because Cain and Carson are black, the GOP's own version of affirmative action and political correctness requires everyone to speak of them with respect and awe as serious and plausible candidates.

56 posted on 05/08/2015 10:10:31 AM PDT by ek_hornbeck
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To: SoConPubbie

I thought it was just chronic, but clearly Arson’s foot-in-mouth disease is terminal. My condolences.


57 posted on 05/08/2015 10:10:36 AM PDT by montag813 (Pray for Israel)
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To: SoConPubbie

Bye bye, Ben!


58 posted on 05/08/2015 10:11:45 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (Conservatism is truth. Liberalism is lies.)
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To: LS

“With every new comment Carson shows why he has no business in the race.”

Yep. None.


59 posted on 05/08/2015 10:12:16 AM PDT by rockinqsranch ((Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will. They ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.))
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To: LS
With every new comment Carson shows why he has no business in the race.

I really love Dr. Carson, but I think you are correct, FRiend...

60 posted on 05/08/2015 10:13:08 AM PDT by nutmeg (ALL Lives Matter. Except Islamic Terrorists' lives...)
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