This Labor Day, President Obama has the opportunity to defend the economic rights of millions of Americans by supporting a substantial increase in the minimum wage.
Presently $7.25 per hour, the federal minimum wage is inadequate. The purchasing power of a worker earning minimum wage in 1968 is equal to $10-11 today. That means, at $7.25 an hour, workers today have less wage power than workers in 1968.
Consider that an individual working full-time and taking no vacation or sick time will earn only $1,160 per month. Housing costs alone in a neighborhood in my hometown of Cleveland can easily approach most of the income of a full-time employee earning minimum wage. What about food? What about transportation? What about health care? What about providing for children?
The minimum wage is not a living wage. Taxpayers, through financing a range of social programs, end up subsidizing corporations who do not pay a living wage. Every worker should be paid enough to meet the essential needs of his or her family. Economically secure families make stronger communities which in turn strengthens our nation. This Labor Day let's show that our nation values families by increasing the minimum wage to $10 an hour.
We know that some corporations won't like it. If corporations don't place value on the dignity, happiness or well being of the American workers, then government must step in to protect workers' economic well being. Workers are more than a line item in a corporate budget. The United States of America must be more than a profit-seeking machine. I am not suggesting a government handout, but a hand-up, enabling workers to climb out of a fiscal ditch.
The wealth in this nation has been accelerating upwards, leaving behind too many people who helped build America. The wealth that is produced by working Americans must be accessible to working Americans through an increase in the minimum wage. The Federal Reserve is incapable of stirring the economy, which is another reason to act. With unemployment at at least 8.3 percent, an increase in the minimum wage will stimulate the overall economy
Labor Day 2012. There can be no better way to honor the American worker then to support an increase in the minimum wage to a living wage of at least $10 per hour. Workers deserve a raise. America deserves a raise. The President can show his recognition of workers by supporting H.R. 5901, Catching Up To 1968 Act of 2012, which would increase the minimum wage to $10 per hour. That would be one Happy Labor Day.
Follow Rep. Dennis Kucinich on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RepKucinich
Colin Gordon and Donald Cohen: Do America's Corporations Care How Much American Workers Earn?
I see all the buying gold shops popping up and I think its sad to see whatever treasure we poor have is being taken also.
The solution is barter and self sufficency. Thailand the gov pushes the populace to grow their own food and to make their own stuff to make money.
Here they have made it so tuff to start a busness.
China may channel reserves to U.S. infrastructure -minister | Reuters
"Dec 2 (Reuters) - China may channel part of its huge pool of foreign exchange reserves into investment in U.S. infrastructure, including rail and transportation networks, Commerce Minister Chen Deming said on Friday.
"China is unwilling to take on too much U.S. government debt. We are willing to turn that money into investment," he told U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke and U.S. businessmen.
Chen did not elaborate on how China might channel some of the country's war chest of $3.2 trillion foreign currency reserves to invest in U.S. infrastructure, such as rail and transportation systems.
"U.S. infrastructure in some areas needs rebuilding, for example its electricity grid, railways and transportation networks," he said.
"This type of investment, even more, can help resolve the unemployment issue in the United States," he added...."
That is completely out of touch with reality.We are in a recession; or haven't you noticed? Here in Michigan the employee schedules on the wall in many fast food restaurants are filled with former GM workers, and other skilled laborers.
40 hours a week at $8 and hour is $320 a week, without taxes taken out.
So, just to simplify the math, let's say you take home $300 a week, $1,200 a month.
In CA, with rents, food, gas, utilities you could never survive.
The GREED at the top is the problem, not the minimum wage at the bottom.
that is what drive-thru is for.
"fries with that?" ;)
If we don't get the pay up in this country who is going to buy "Made in USA"? It will continue to be "Made in Anywhere Else".
Why are so many Amercans happy to embrace the lowest minimum wage in the modern world? Because they are not Americans at heart?
It's ironic that Ford Motor Co. now makes its Ford Fusions in Mexico, using Mexican auto workers who make $26 per day.
"Made in the World" labels
http://www.manufacturingnews.com/news/11/0930/madeintheworld.html
European Technocrats May Soon Deprive Americans Of Knowing Where Everything They Buy Is Made
"The World Trade Organization, the OECD, the International Chamber of Commerce and the European Commission are moving aggressively to eliminate "Country of Origin" labeling, claiming that it does not reflect the current structure of global trade. The Europe-based
organizations instead want to adopt a "Made in the World" logo for all products on the grounds that global supply chains have rendered country of origin labeling inaccurate and obsolete.
The intent of the proposal is to reduce public pressure on politicians for protectionist trade policies..."
More at:
http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/miwi_e/miwi_e.htm
WTO | Made in the World
http://farmwars.info/?p=8951
“WHY in the World are They Spraying?”
Following your logic, why not pay $2 a day so I can keep my business open?
"Greed is good" has become "Greed is God"