Breaking: Senate blocks minimum wage hike

The bill to raise the useless minimum wage to a less useless level which still wouldn’t support a family and would still be below the poverty line for a family of four was defeated today. Does it matter? Honestly, no. Most places don’t pay people the bare minimum wage anyway, most people aren’t supporting families on minimum wage, and most people making minimum wage are unskilled folks who are doing the work thing while doing the school thing or the other thing. All in all, a stupid bill that was pointless to pass, gave no real benefit anyway (a few bucks over the course of a few years?) was defeated by people who are grossly out of touch with working America. How quaint.

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nathalie

I agree with you that the bill doesn't do much to change conditions for people, it's just a bunch of grandstanding by a bunch of spoiled, out of touch, overly coiffed hypocrites.

that being said, if somebody can't afford to survive on minimum wage, they can work more than one job. this is America and there is opportunity for everybody that wants to pursue it. The thing is, most people who are willing and able to work extra hard to get by usually end up moving up the ladder.

And what do the feds know about poverty lines? John Kerry said $200,000/year makes somebody rich enough for higher taxation-- you and I know that just ain't true in certain parts of the country. This is why my husband and I are thinking of leaving California.

Jeff

To be fair to Dave, I wasn't sure which way your sarcasm was going on this one. You psyched me out.

Vinny

Dave: You're the one lacking in critical thinking. Re-read the last sentence.

Nathalie: The change amounted to so little that not passing it was pointless and it would not have killed small businesses by any stretch. In fact, I reckon most smaller businesses are already paying more than the minimum wage anyway.

The feds can adjust minimum wage because the feds also determine what the poverty line is, so if you think about it it does make sense. I seriously doubt someone could support anyone, let alone themselves, in any part of the country on the old minimum wage ($10,712 a year) and the new 2 years from now ($15,080).

That's why I don't understand the hubbub about this bill and I think it was stupid not to just pass it and throw the poor folk a bone.

nathalie

If rates were to be raised, it could be argued that these lawmakers are out of touch with working Americans who happen to own/run small businesses. :-)

Guess I'm a big believer in the laws of supply and demand when it comes to the labor market-- I got by on $8.00/hour out of college in a terrible labor market. I wanted to be more comfortable so I worked my way into jobs that required skill sets that were worth more.

how about letting the states determine minimum wage-- it doesn't take the same income to get by in Nebraska as it does in California, so why should the feds even set the rate? just a thought.

Dave

oh yeah, the people who defeated the bill (conservatives right?) are so rich and up to their knees on stock options, that they have no concern for working america... conservatives obviously have more money... and they want to keep that money, so they defeated the bill.
that sounds reasonable and like nice good critical thinking on your part! very good!