To the editor:
Fifty Republicans decided to raise minimum wage, only if Democrats agree to tax cuts. It was a decade ago, in 1996, that Congress voted to increase minimum wage. Someone working 40 hours per week at that rate makes $10,700 - below the poverty line for workers with families.
Inflation eroded the minimum wage's buying power to the lowest level in 50 years. Lawmakers have given themselves cost-of-living increases totaling $35,000 since then.
I'm a stay-at-home dad. Following the math and mindset of our representatives, here is what I should be paid for what I do, in hours spent per week: housekeeper, day care teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, CEO, psychologist and nurse. That totals $134,121 a year.
I don't make that.
Neither do the 30 million Americans that live (I use that term loosely) on $5.15 an hour. They should be paid a real living wage, just like our poor, overworked representatives in Washington give themselves every year.
You do the math.
Steve Craven,
Lawrence
Comments
Speakout 10 years, 12 months ago
We have a congress that thinks first of themselves and what ever the president wants. They have yet to think of what is best for Americans. What to do about it. ELECT someone else. This is the cuppupance they deserve. If they cannot represent me and my state, then we should have someone there who will.
Pure and simple. But that means lots of people have got to get out and find via good leaders and get them elected. This is hard. The good ones stay home, the bad ones will jump into the ring.
Jamesaust 10 years, 12 months ago
I suppose I could be churlish and ask why anyone would attempt to raise a family on a minimum raise. What ever happened to the concept of waiting to marry (a quaint institution) and start a family until they had the resources to support them?
The only people who should have so little skills as to be worthy of only a minimum wage are teenagers. How many people make use of the education provided by the taxpayers and yet still cannot command more than the minimum wage?
MWIV 10 years, 11 months ago
Jamesaust - You said it best. For some reason, some people think that all their needs and wants should be provided by someone else. Let's see.........why not make the minimum wage $25 per hour? No! I'm sorry, let's make it $50 per hour. Maybe that will be enough. Minimum wage is an entry level wage, Nothing more. If one is stuck in a job where they only make minimum wage, well, I also ask the question, where were they during all of that "free", "tax paid" education?
blessed3x 10 years, 12 months ago
Any shmuck can earn $7.50/hour at McD's. Get over it.
Christine Pennewell Davis 10 years, 11 months ago
yep but does not matter been shot down.
craigers 10 years, 11 months ago
You want a living wage, then say hello to a nice inflation increase. When making the minimum wage argument, there is more to consider. It will never be enough. Once there is a living wage and inflation sets in, then those people won't be able to make it again. Well let's raise the wages again. It is a vicious circle. Living wage is not the answer. I'm not sure what is but the different levels of income throughout our population is what keeps inflation in check. If we all had the buying power to get what we wanted then the prices would go up. Think about it.
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