Next week, the House will be voting on raising the minimum wage:
Here are the facts on raising the minimum wage:
* It's been too long: The federal minimum wage has now remained unchanged for almost 10 years, the longest stretch in its history. Since Congress last voted to increase the minimum wage, the cost of living has gone up by 25% and Congress has increased their annual salary by $31,600 dollars.
* It's too low: A full-time minimum wage worker brings in just $10,712 a year, less than half of the poverty level for a family of four. The proposed increase to $7.25 an hour would help approximately 13 million low-income people, most of whom are women. The $4,400 annual raise is equal to about 15 months worth of groceries.
* It doesn't cost jobs: Real world studies have consistently found that cities and states with higher minimum wages often retain or even increase job levels. And 86% of small business owners report raising the minimum wage would have no effect on them.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other corporate interests are mounting a vigorous lobbying effort to squash the minimum wage raise—despite the fact that the average CEO these groups represent earns more than 821 times the average minimum wage worker. A letter to the editor is a perfect way to help show where the American people stand on this issue of basic fairness.
If you've got a personal story about yourself or someone you know struggling to get by on the minimum wage, please consider sharing it. Or if you just think it's time hard working Americans get a raise, it's time to share the facts and call for change.
With this historic vote coming in less than a week, there's no time to lose. Please take a minute to write your letter today or email or call... it's time to raise the minimum wage.
-----
(information from organization email -- if you'd like the source PM me).
Last edited by mmcd3182; 01-06-2007 at 13:09 PM.
Life is something that you can't control.
When you try to hold on to it, it makes you let go!
The following member(s) give a big groan to mmcd3182 for this post:
A single person living in a apartment in Demopolis Alabama cant afford not make it without having a roommate or two. Only people with white collar jobs are the ones that will opose this and Big Company owners. lets see how our elected officals realy think of the lower class people in our country. I truly belive since the Democrats are out numering the Republicans it will pass because to me republicans are "Big Business" people anyway. JMO
PawPaws Darling
The following member(s) give a big groan to AUFAN for this post:
Just a few short comments. The minimun wage needing to be raised is a given. A gradual increase over the next two years or so may be more accepted in the business sector. After the increase is fully implemented it then needs to be raised every year by the same percentage of the CPI which determines the increase of our military and federal employees. This year it is about 3.3%. This proposed increase is about 40% if y math is correct. That averages out to about 4% per year for the last 10 years. This will never happen because the minimun wage is a football that helps the polititians fire up voters.
The following member(s) give a big groan to Eagle101 for this post:
An increase in the minimum wage is needed, but I don't think people are looking at the big picture. An increase of over $2/hour will help people have more money in their pockets, but what happens when small businesses have to pay after school help $7.25 an hour? Prices are going to go up. Look around the country, the minimum wage in New York is now $7.15/hour, but the price of living is almost double what it is here. The same is true in Seattle and L.A. Such a drastic increase, I feel, will have negating affects on the economy.
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to e_s_p33 For This Useful Post:
I understand the desire and need in some cases to raise the minimum wage. There are hard working people out there who find it very hard to make ends meet if they are working a job that only pays $5.15 an hour. But there are a couple of comments that I saw that I have to disagree with slightly.
1) RJ, I wish I could honestly think that raising the minimum wage would get everyone off of welfare. However, it will not get any of the SORRY people who want to sit on their tails and draw a check from the government off of their respective tails. But, I do believe that it could persuade SOME of them to make an effort. If it could be the magic cure for welfare, it would be wonderful.
2) AUFAN, I know people in the situation you referenced. The only thing is that if the minimum wage is increased, you can bet that prices on everyday items will also go UP to match. To many big name retailers are going to adjust their prices on everyday items to match the raise of the minimum wage. And that just ain't right.
I'm afraid that e_s_p33 hit the nail on the head. Many of the things that everyone NEEDS will go up in price as soon as this happens and it will put those people who really deserve a break back in the same boat. You can only hope that with more money, more people will visit the small businesses to offset the scenario you mentioned.
I wish it could be a cure-all or at least a partial cure, but there will be people who will use the increase to their advantage. Those people should realize that the increase is meant to HELP people and not be greedy.
(Maybe that made some sense.)
All sunsets are not created equal.
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to N8RPX For This Useful Post:
I have to agree and disagree with some posts. Once the minimun wage is raised, prices will rise also. When employers, both in the manufacturing and business fields, have to pay more for labor they have no alternative than to charge more for goods and services. Look back at when the price of gasoline and diesel went up after Katrina. Businesses that used a lot of these fuels started raising their prices. Delivery vehicles like UPS, FEDEX, the trucking industry and such started charging more. Basic business sense. Higher expenses for business equal higher prices for customers. Also look at the history of ice cream. A couple of years or so ago most 1/2 gallon ice cream could be bought on weekly specials for 2 for $5.00. Now they advertise for 2 for $6.00 or even $7.00. The price of ingredients was raised on the processor. In many businesses labor is the largest expense for employers.
Yes, that 99 cent junior burger will be costing more.
The following member(s) say Thank You to Eagle101 for this post:
PawPaws Darling
