2006 election Values Agenda wedge issue ballot initiative-minimum wage!

[papau]

Thank God for the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, a Washington progressive think tank and political-advocacy group funded by labor unions and foundations that came up with a Democratic wedge issue to use against the GOP - a ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage -in 6 and perhaps as many as 9 states - so as to gain some seats in 2006 elections.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114644237570740071.html

Democrats Try to Split Republicans
With Midterm Ballot Initiatives
By JEANNE CUMMINGS
May 1, 2006; Page A4

WASHINGTON -- As Republicans resist efforts to raise the federal minimum wage, Democrats see the issue boosting party turnout in November's midterm elections -- and their chances of gaining seats in Congress.<snip>

It's a strategy stolen straight from Republicans, who for more than two decades have used ballot initiatives to create wedge issues and whip up excitement among core voters. Some analysts credit the Republican-driven Ohio ban on gay marriage for giving President Bush a critical lift in the 2004 presidential race. Social conservatives are pressing that initiative again this year in at least six states, while fiscal conservatives are pushing for caps on state taxes and spending on ballots throughout the country.<snip>

A new wrinkle in the Democratic effort this year is an effort to convert the minimum-wage issue into a moral one. That could rebut conservative charges that some Democrats are hostile to people of faith and provide their candidates with a chance to quote Bible passages urging rewards for honest work and supporting working-class families. "This is part of our values agenda," says Kristina Wilfore, the ballot initiative center's executive director.

A Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Trina Zelle is the lead organizer for the Interfaith Worker Justice of Arizona, a group that is helping to generate signatures to put minimum wage on Arizona's ballot. "I could quote scripture to you for hours," she says. "The message is very consistent and very clear, you just don't take advantage of vulnerable people. 'To whom much is given, much is expected.'"<snip>

[Warpy]

1. Well, hallelujah

I've been pushing WAGES as the wedge issue handed to the Democrats on a silver platter on this board for the last couple of months. I'm delighted to see somebody out there is reading it.

87% of people polled on the subject say the minimum wage has to rise--a lot--and those same people blame the pubbies much more than the Democrats for keeping it depressed. There is absolutely nothing the pubbies can do to answer this issue except whine about the poor business owners who may have to let people go, blah blah blah, same stuff we hear every time the minimum gets hiked unitl those business owners find their business increasing far beyond what they've had to shell out in wages.

The pubbies are quite simply out of gas. They've milked every social bigotry for all it's worth and their attempt to pit us against immigrants is starting to blow up in their smug faces, since immigrants wouldn't be able to drive wages down if the wage floor were not so terribly low.

I hope the rest of the party takes note. This is the winner issue. They need to use it.

[papau]

2. I agree :-)

:-)

[UrbScotty]

3. We in MI forced the GOP to raise it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=159&topic_id=5688&mesg_id=5688

[meow2u3]

4. The big difference between dem and puke wedge issues

Dem wedge issues involve money; puke wedge issues involve sex.