Why has Kerry announced that he wants to increase minimum wage

[merh]

to $7.00. Why won't he come out and share our outrage with the bushco lies regarding the war? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

[oasis]

1. The war is a done deal. Americans still need a living wage.

[merh]

2. Yes, I know you are right about Americans needing to make a living

wage. I am just frustrated with the media. My local news covered the wage increase and then questioned small business owners who said the increase would put them out of business. I want to hear him (and maybe I never will unless I attend one of his campaign appearances which is doubtful in Miss) say we can turn things around.

It is so frustrating.

[BeFree]

21. Don't believe the media

Or small business owners, either. The last time the minimum wage was increased, the economy grew and business's gained many a paying customer because more people had more money to spend. What you have been hearing about are the greediest of the greedy bitching and moaning. Ignore their whines. We need a minimum wage increase to at least $10.

[merh]

22. Thanks for the advice and info, I will take your advice. (n/t)

[2Design]

3. actually $7 hr is not a lving wage....but the rethugs have been

so against raising the rate at all.....at least he might bring in all the workers to vote for him....college studnets and such....

[Elidor]

4. $7 is a starvation wage

[Union Thug]

5. a decent min wage would be upwards of 12/hour eom

[Nikia]

23. I agree it should be raised, but that is too much

Too many employees make that much or less in a variety of businesses and lines of work. Some of these people think that they are making "good money". Some people are just starting out their professional careers. Some people are making a couple dollars an hour more than most "unskilled" people employed in the area because their business owners want to attract and retain better workers. Some people are dependents and would be "rich" working at that wage through high school. Many of these people making near $12/hour are getting good insurance too.
The fact is too that if you give everyone a raise to make $12.00/hour, you would have to give everyone a raise, especially all the people who had been maiking $12-$20/hour. You can't be paying the people who had been making $11/hour only $12/hour either when you also have people in your business who had previously made $8/hour. I don't think that most businesses could handle the increase in labor costs which would probably affect all businesses. They may cut benefits too.
I'll agree with the $7/hour raise in minimum wage as there are fewer people making less than that and in fewer jobs and businesses. In most cases businesses pay under $7/hour because they can and won't if they can't (Think fast food chains.). Desperate people shouldn't be taken advantage of.

[Union Thug]

6. a decent min wage would be upwards of 12/hour eom

[punpirate]

14. A bit less starvation than...

... $5.15/hr.

But, the failure of Congress, and of recent presidents, to raise the minimum wage is, to my mind, perhaps the most disgraceful lack of action since Rwanda.

Of course, much of the blame for this failure goes to Greenspin, for his ever-constant cry that upward wage pressure breeds inflation, which is bad for the markets.

Every living wage program instituted in the last few years has been a success for everyone concerned. Because people in the lower income groups usually end up spending most of what they earn (for obvious reasons), a good portion of the additional money is spent, thus benefitting the local economy. All the fears about it causing widespread unemployment have turned out to be untrue.

And, yeah, to keep pace with inflation, minimum wage ought to be more like $8.10 an hour.

[I thought so.]

7. Because he isn't stupid.

Temper tantrums don't win votes.

[Catholic Sensation]

8. ooh la la, i agree why should he focus on something like minimum wage

in accordance with prophecy

[Brahma Bull]

9. THATS WHAT YOU THINK

:evilgrin:

[newyawker99]

20. Hi Brahma Bull!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[leftist_rebel1569]

10. ooh la la, that's what YOU think.

in accordance with the prophecy

[Catholic Sensation]

11. ooh la la, i was being sarcastic by the way in accordance with prophecy

[Brahma Bull]

13. THATS WHAT YOU THINK

[kiahzero]

12. Ooh la la

Expecting Kerry to "share outrage" is ridiculous (it isn't his style)... he will have measured rhetoric that is both accurate and stirring, taking him to the White House, in accordance with prophecy.

[Catholic Sensation]

15. ooh la la i agree wholeheartedly about kerry's style not being like that

in accordance with prophecy.

[leftist_rebel1569]

16. ooh la la,

it would be interesting to see Kerry in a fit of rage, don't you agree in accordance to the prophecy?

[Catholic Sensation]

17. ooh la la when he cursed in rolling stone was about as angry as he's ever

gotten in accordance with prophecy

[reprehensor]

18. Just the other day...

I had a co-worker say, "Kerry hasn't tried to relate to the regular Joe."

The working poor are a growing demographic in America. I can't think of a more 'Joe' kind of 'Joe'.

He's not sharing the outrage, because he hasn't so far, and right now he is the last man standing. What does that tell you?

Kerry '04, Kucinich '08, when Dennis has had time to work his base.

[merh]

19. I agree with all the posts and thank you one and all.

Unfortunately for me, the majority of my friends are small business owners who will freak when they hear he wants to increase the wage.
Guess I will have to face that issue with them and then remind any of them with children nearing draft age that the draft should be a greater concern to them than a decrease in profit.

[sangha]

24. Then get to work

dig up the facts that show raising the minimum wage is GOOD for their buiness.

[AP]

25. Yeah!

Why sit around and let your friends believe bullshit.

Get to work is right.

[merh]

26. I will, thanks! (n/t)