Dear Ruth,
I need your help.
For ten years, the Republican leadership has refused to let us raise the minimum wage. Even now, the bill will barely lift 13 million working Americans out of poverty -- but it's progress.
Now the Senate has invoked cloture, which means that our opponents in the Senate have 30 hours to hammer away at the bill before we can vote on it.
Armed with scores of amendments, Republicans have proposed one poison pill after another to weaken and obstruct what should be a simple raise.
What are these amendments? Republicans have proposed $240 billion in tax breaks for corporations, $36 billion in tax breaks for small businesses, and many, many more -- most of which have nothing to do with giving hard-working Americans a well-earned and long-delayed raise.
We have to ask hard questions of Republicans in the Senate: What is your price for giving hard-working men and women the raise they deserve? After lavishing billions on the wealthiest Americans and largest corporations, can't we give these workers $2.10 more an hour?
When does the greed stop?
That’s the question. That’s the issue. Make no mistake. They have piles of amendments -- we have none.
It is absolutely essential that all who care about this clear issue of conscience step up and make their voices heard now.
Show your support for a clean Fair Minimum Wage Act:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/raisethewage What is it about the minimum wage that drives Republicans crazy?
Don't let them disguise their disdain for their fellow Americans by hiding it behind a pile of hostile amendments.
In the past week of debate each Senator has made $3,800 -- more than a third of what a minimum wage worker makes in a year! What is it about these hard-working men and women that they find so offensive? Why would they poison legislation on something as basic as the minimum wage?
It's time for some answers.
Sincerely,
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
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