NationStates Jolt Archive

Which of course, means it'll never pass (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:S.2725:).

A brief digression--those of you who are only slightly familiar with my politics might say "but the Nazz is a partisan Democrat--of course he loves Hillary." You would be wrong. I thoroughly dislike her, and the only way I would vote for her is if she gets the Democratic party nomination in 2008--and I'm going to do as much as possible to see that that doesn't happen.

But on this bill, she deserves kudos, and I'm giving them to her. (And I'd like to add that I'll give the same to any Senator or House member who supports the bill, regardless of party.)

Here's the short version:
Standing with Minimum Wage Earners Act of 2006 (Introduced in Senate)

S 2725 IS

109th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 2725

To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage and to ensure that increases in the Federal minimum wage keep pace with any pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 4, 2006

Mrs. CLINTON (for herself, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. JEFFORDS, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. HARKIN, and Mr. OBAMA) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Now, here's why I think this is a terrific bill. Congressional pay raises are very nearly always passed by a voice vote, which means that no one ever has to go on record saying that they voted themselves a raise. There's no political fallout from it--it's part of the incumbency protection that both parties take part in. I don't like it, but there it is.

But what this bill means is that if Congress is going to do that, then they're going to have to explain to their business contributors why their labor costs just went up by whatever percentage Congressional salaries just went up--or they'll have to stop giving themselves raises.

Personally, I'd just as soon see the minimum wage go up, and go up regularly--this decades between raises stuff is bullshit. But tying it to congressional pay raises is perfect--they're supposed to be public servants after all.

And that's why it will never pass.

Of course it won't pass, it's political leverage for this fall, and a brilliant bit of it. Now they can start the ads saying how their opponents voted against raising the pay of average Americans while voting themselves raises.

It's quite good. Ought play well in rural and low income areas.

Let nobody say that Hillary is stupid.

Bill Clinton was a very smart man and Hillary is even smarter.

Let nobody say that Hillary is stupid.

Bill Clinton was a very smart man and Hillary is even smarter.
She's a little too openly calculating for my tastes, and seems more shifty than necessary--never really seems to have a base belief that she's unwilling to compromise on. But this is a case where she's used that calculating ability for the good, I believe.

She's a little too openly calculating for my tastes, and seems more shifty than necessary--never really seems to have a base belief that she's unwilling to compromise on. But this is a case where she's used that calculating ability for the good, I believe.

Of course. That's why I'd never vote for her. She is far too open about her total lack of scruples.

We should abolish minimum wage altogether. Let the people decide for how much money they are willing to work. It will ultimately be advantageous for us all.

We should abolish minimum wage altogether. Let the people decide for how much money they are willing to work. It will ultimately be advantageous for us all.
Says the person who's never had a minimum wage job or never had to take one because there was nothing else available.

Of course. That's why I'd never vote for her. She is far too open about her total lack of scruples.
Yeah... I guess it's better to vote for people who lie about having scruples instead.

Of course. That's why I'd never vote for her. She is far too open about her total lack of scruples.
I'd vote for her over any current Republican, but I'd probably cry a lot and take a long shower afterwards. Sort of like what I did for Kerry.

We should abolish minimum wage altogether. Let the people decide for how much money they are willing to work. It will ultimately be advantageous for us all.

Surely though the minimum wage that people will work for is lower than the minimum wage to provide an acceptable standard of living. I know that I've held down more than one job and effectively been killing any form of 'life' outside of work, just to meet bills before. Why should people be forced into that state permenantly? Anyway, more to the point, democracy/capitalism's main strongpoint is that it means that there is an increasing standard of living brought on by that system of government. To deny a minimum wage would therefore deny some of the point of the inherent system.

Says the person who's never had a minimum wage job or never had to take one because there was nothing else available.

Says the person who's never been unemployed because nobody was willing to hire somebody for a job that paid under minimum wage. Why do you think unemployment is so high? Welfare and minimum wage. Get rid of them and more people will be willing to work.

Surely though the minimum wage that people will work for is lower than the minimum wage to provide an acceptable standard of living. I know that I've held down more than one job and effectively been killing any form of 'life' outside of work, just to meet bills before. Why should people be forced into that state permenantly? Anyway, more to the point, democracy/capitalism's main strongpoint is that it means that there is an increasing standard of living brought on by that system of government. To deny a minimum wage would therefore deny some of the point of the inherent system.

I do object to your linking of democracy to capitalism, but you're pretty much one of the few to hit the nail on the head so succinctly. The capitalist system, in its ideal form, is about the democratisation and fluidity of the labour market.

Current social and economic situations in countries like the U.S. deprive both. That's not capitalism and it's little better than a defacto flavour of the sort of dejure stifling of economic flexibility that exists in more 'socialistic' societies.

We should abolish minimum wage altogether. Let the people decide for how much money they are willing to work. It will ultimately be advantageous for us all.
You forget this has already been tried that and the complete and utter failure of that idea is what led to powerful unions, minimum wages, and OSHA and other worker protections laws.

The minimum wage stays, just like it should. No minimum wage=bosses hiring hobos for 10¢ an hour. If they don't like it, there's a bunch of more hobos that want their jobs. And getting rid of welfare... I'd like to see you in the position of a guy who just got fired and has no particular skills to speak of. The fact is that most of america isn't college graduated, and a sizeable enough portion of it isn't hight school graduated. There are only so many mcdonalds to go around you know, if you flood the market with cheap labor it means an immediate decrease in everone's standard of living.

I remember a joke I heard once: A boss who pays you minimum wage is basically telling you "hey, if I could pay you any less, I WOULD!"

The question is, how much is too little?

bottom line: minimum wage stays.

Says the person who's never been unemployed because nobody was willing to hire somebody for a job that paid under minimum wage. Why do you think unemployment is so high? Welfare and minimum wage. Get rid of them and more people will be willing to work.
Wow--this makes sense. I can't afford to live on the minimum wage, so instead, get rid of it so I can work for even less and starve even more. :rolleyes:

There's a cure for what you're describing--it's called "report the fucking companies that are hiring people for less than minimum wage." It's a federal law they're breaking. The solution is enforcement, not get rid of the law and fuck more people over.

Personally, I'd just as soon see the minimum wage go up, and go up regularly--this decades between raises stuff is bullshit.
You do know that minimum wage increases create the need for more minimum wage increases via inflation, right? I simply do not understand the logic of making people think they are making more money when, after inflation inevitably sets in, they are no more rich than before. It only makes sense from the position of politician trying to buy votes at the expense of the middle class, whose cost of living wage increases may not keep in step with the inflation caused by a constantly rising minimum wage.

Not that I’m totally against the minimum wage; it is, after all, a great way of placating the lower classes. It needs not be increased until their clamoring threatens productivity and/or may precipitate violence. That is simply not occurring right now.

You do know that minimum wage increases create the need for more minimum wage increases via inflation, right? I simply do not understand the logic of making people think they are making more money when, after inflation inevitably sets in, they are no more rich than before. It only makes sense from the position of politician trying to buy votes at the expense of the middle class, whose cost of living wage increases may not keep in step with the inflation caused by a constantly rising minimum wage.

Not that I’m totally against the minimum wage; it is, after all, a great way of placating the lower classes. It needs not be increased until their clamoring threatens productivity and/or may precipitate violence. That is simply not occurring right now.

Yeah, well inflation is a constant factor in a healthy economy. It's going to happen anyway, so why not keep wages in line with it rather than making people suffer?

And beyond that, maybe people are too busy or dog-tired from working two jobs to go bang pots and pans and hurl rocks at riot police on Pennsylvania Avenue.

You do know that minimum wage increases create the need for more minimum wage increases via inflation, right? I simply do not understand the logic of making people think they are making more money when, after inflation inevitably sets in, they are no more rich than before. It only makes sense from the position of politician trying to buy votes at the expense of the middle class, whose cost of living wage increases may not keep in step with the inflation caused by a constantly rising minimum wage.

Not that I’m totally against the minimum wage; it is, after all, a great way of placating the lower classes. It needs not be increased until their clamoring threatens productivity and/or may precipitate violence. That is simply not occurring right now.
If you were talking about an unreasonable raise in the minimum wage--say to 15 bucks an hour--you'd have a point. But this is minimal, and the fact is that minimum wage increases have been larger percentage increases in the past and haven't had that effect on the economy.

Wow--this makes sense. I can't afford to live on the minimum wage, so instead, get rid of it so I can work for even less and starve even more. :rolleyes:

There's a cure for what you're describing--it's called "report the fucking companies that are hiring people for less than minimum wage." It's a federal law they're breaking. The solution is enforcement, not get rid of the law and fuck more people over.

When you have a minimum wage and employers are artificially forced to raise wages, they cut jobs. Minimum wage limits jobs, like many unions today. It makes it better if you are employed, but harder to beomce employed as employers see their proftis go down and act acordingly.

Minimum wage needs to be abolished. It would create more jobs, and no matter how hard living off a low wage would suck, it would be better then the no wage that many people suffer from because of minimum wage. Abolish minimum wage and wages might go down somewhat, but remember it's still your choice to work, no one is forcing you to.

they say that living cost goes up about 3% every year?

Why not raise the min wage the same way?

or am i just too niave and shouldn't be asking this question.

When you have a minimum wage and employers are artificially forced to raise wages, they cut jobs. Minimum wage limits jobs, like many unions today. It makes it better if you are employed, but harder to beomce employed as employers see their proftis go down and act acordingly.

Minimum wage needs to be abolished. It would create more jobs, and no matter how hard living off a low wage would suck, it would be better then the no wage that many people suffer from because of minimum wage. Abolish minimum wage and wages might go down somewhat, but remember it's still your choice to work, no one is forcing you to.
No one is forcing you to? Did someone suddenly start handing out free food and free housing and I didn't hear about it? :rolleyes:

Raises in the minimum wage don't force employers to cut jobs--at worst, it causes them to either raise prices marginally or cut profits a bit.

Yeah, well inflation is a constant factor in a healthy economy.
No. It’s a constant factor in an economy where the government prints too much money so that people will have enough to loan them when they overspend, generally in the realm of the military.
It's going to happen anyway, so why not keep wages in line with it rather than making people suffer?
Suffer? What healthy worker in the US is “suffering.” The only ones I can think of are those with too many kids, kids they were perfectly capable of not having had they taken readily available contraceptive measures. Besides, I am not against raising it when necessary, but it just isn't right now.
And beyond that, maybe people are too busy or dog-tired from working two jobs to go bang pots and pans and hurl rocks at riot police on Pennsylvania Avenue.
It doesn't matter why they aren't rioting, the point is that they aren't.
But this is minimal,
Define minimal.
and the fact is that minimum wage increases have been larger percentage increases in the past and haven't had that effect on the economy.
Yes it did.

She's a little too openly calculating for my tastes, and seems more shifty than necessary--never really seems to have a base belief that she's unwilling to compromise on. But this is a case where she's used that calculating ability for the good, I believe.


A politician that is self serving :eek: Say it isn't so! ;)

No one is forcing you to? Did someone suddenly start handing out free food and free housing and I didn't hear about it? :rolleyes:

Raises in the minimum wage don't force employers to cut jobs--at worst, it causes them to either raise prices marginally or cut profits a bit.

First of all, employers will not cut profits, and shouldn't have the government forcing them too. If the government forces their expenditures to go up, they will try to find a way to bring their profits back up. They could raise prices, which given many buisnesses sell at a price to get maximum profits already (raising prices leads to less purchases), may not work at all. By raising wages, they will probably lay off a few people. This happens all the time when unions demand higher wages, better conditions, or something else that makes it more expensive for the employer.

Also, yea, the government and many private charities do give out free food and money.

I restate that they still aren't being forced to work. An employee is better off after taking a job or he wouldn't take it. If employees are worse off after taking the job, they won't take it and the employer will be forced to raise wages. If they do take it, it means through their job they are better off and the employer is helping them and the economy by providing jobs.

No. It’s a constant factor in an economy where the government prints too much money so that people will have enough to loan them when they overspend, generally in the realm of the military.

Suffer? What healthy worker in the US is “suffering.” The only ones I can think of are those with too many kids, kids they were perfectly capable of not having had they taken readily available contraceptive measures. Besides, I am not against raising it when necessary, but it just isn't right now.


The 30 plus million Americans living below the federal poverty line plus the millions more living just above that statistical baseline aren't exactly living the American Dream, you know.

The ability to pay the bill for medications to fend off preventable and treatable conditions, poor nutrition, and increased rates of illiteracy and high school drop-out are not trifling issues.

Also, most people with children who end up living in dire straits didn't start out there. My parents happened to be doing quite well when they had me, but they got nearly wiped-out by the recession in the late 80s and early 90s so to suggest that workers who are suffering suffer because they're essentially unable to keep their pants on is a crock of steaming polemic.

I mean, I respect the views of you and the other total freemarketers, and I really do want to believe you, but I simply cannot bring myself to because I've lived the worst of it.

You do know that minimum wage increases create the need for more minimum wage increases via inflation, right? I simply do not understand the logic of making people think they are making more money when, after inflation inevitably sets in, they are no more rich than before. It only makes sense from the position of politician trying to buy votes at the expense of the middle class, whose cost of living wage increases may not keep in step with the inflation caused by a constantly rising minimum wage.

Not that I’m totally against the minimum wage; it is, after all, a great way of placating the lower classes. It needs not be increased until their clamoring threatens productivity and/or may precipitate violence. That is simply not occurring right now.
How does this common doomsday slippery-slope position explain the fact that inflation has outpaced the minimum wage for years. Inflation continues to screw the value of a dollar while minimum wage hardly changes.

The 30 plus million Americans living below the federal poverty line plus the millions more living just above that statistical baseline aren't exactly living the American Dream, you know.
First of all, the poverty line is an arbitrary distinction.
Second, I don’t care if they’re living the “American Dream” (also an arbitrary construct), I care if the middle class, which supports me through rampant consumerism, thinks they are living the “American Dream” or are at least close to it.
The ability to pay the bill for medications to fend off preventable and treatable conditions, poor nutrition, and increased rates of illiteracy and high school drop-out are not trifling issues.
Did you miss where I said healthy?
Also, most people with children who end up living in dire straits didn't start out there. My parents happened to be doing quite well when they had me, but they got nearly wiped-out by the recession in the late 80s and early 90s so to suggest that workers who are suffering suffer because they're essentially unable to keep their pants on is a crock of steaming polemic.
Your situation is rare. Most Americans stay in their economic class for nearly all their lives with little deviation, and I wasn’t saying that hey should keep their pants on. Men should learn to wrap it up when they do, and women need to realize that remembering to take a pill once a day isn’t that hard.

See, the thing about minimum wage is, corporations are too greedy for it to be safe to abolish it, but they are too greedy for it to be safe to raise it.

Nader wanted to double minimum wages. Corporate responses would obviously be to 1) outsource jobs to sweatshops overseas, where labor costs pennies a day, and 2) double prices for everything. Prices have been steadily rising while minimum wage has stayed put, but it seems logical for a double in cost to produce something to mean a double in its price, which is logic enough for corporate goons. This means that raising minimum wage = making you more poor than you are now.

However, it's obvious from looking at corporate workings overseas that minimum wages cannot be removed. That will lead to sweatshop labor, and prices will only marginally decrease, because the CEOs will still want to make the same amount of money.

Hence, maybe we shouldn't screw with it?

How does this common doomsday slippery-slope position explain the fact that inflation has outpaced the minimum wage for years. Inflation continues to screw the value of a dollar while minimum wage hardly changes.
As I have already stated, a government which prints more money so that their will be more in circulation for them to borrow will cause inflation.
Our current Republic is one such example as they simply do not have the funds to handle foreign wars and incompetently handled social programs.
Raising the mimum wage will just make things even worse.

As I have already stated, a government which prints more money so that their will be more in circulation for them to borrow will cause inflation.
Our current Republic is one such example as they simply do not have the funds to handle foreign wars and incompetently handled social programs.
Raising the mimum wage will just make things even worse.
Then you havn't explained what minimum wage will do to something that is being affected by something not related to minimum wage.

Then you havn't explained what minimum wage will do to something that is being affected by something not related to minimum wage.
Inflation is affected by both. Why is that so hard to understand?

Inflation is affected by both. Why is that so hard to understand?
You havn't explained how.

First of all, the poverty line is an arbitrary distinction.
Second, I don’t care if they’re living the “American Dream” (also an arbitrary construct), I care if the middle class, which supports me through rampant consumerism, thinks they are living the “American Dream” or are at least close to it.

Did you miss where I said healthy?

Your situation is rare. Most Americans stay in their economic class for nearly all their lives with little deviation, and I wasn’t saying that hey should keep their pants on. Men should learn to wrap it up when they do, and women need to realize that remembering to take a pill once a day isn’t that hard.
I didn't miss where you said healthy, but unfortunately life is an unpredictable thing. The fact of the matter is that accidents and sicknesses happen. If people have neither the proper insurance nor a substantial amount of disposable income to sock away into an interest-earning fund of some kind, the situation becomes precarious and the potential for poverty begetting poverty increases.

You can't just assume people are going to be healthy all the time. And besides that, workers get old.

I *will* accept the fact that on most points of the debate you have me beat, but I won't be happy with the federal government taking it's hands off of the wage earning potential of the worker and the profit earning potential of the employer until it backs off of it's coddling of the industrial upper class.

You havn't explained how.
Higher minimum wage=more money needed in circulation to pay workers=inflation
Higher minimum wage=higher prices=inflation
Happy?
You can't just assume people are going to be healthy all the time. And besides that, workers get old.
Which is why I am in favor of a carefully managed system to provide those who prove that they can’t afford private medical insurance, the money to do so, so that the poor have access to preventative healthcare, if only to decrease the number showing up terminally ill at county hospitals and clinics which must treat them for free.
but I won't be happy with the federal government taking it's hands off of the wage earning potential of the worker and the profit earning potential of the employer until it backs off of it's coddling of the industrial upper class.
Aye. In todays globalize economy there is no reason beyond personal interest and lust for power that the government should subsidies business. It hurts the consumer by promoting products that are obviously sub-par and creates friction with trade partners (see Canada).

I won't be happy with the federal government taking it's hands off of the wage earning potential of the worker and the profit earning potential of the employer until it backs off of it's coddling of the industrial upper class.

Raising minimum wage won't stop that. If anything, raising minimum wage is an excuse for employers to charge more for a product disproportionately to the increase in price of production through labor.

Never, ever assume the rich don't know how to abuse the system to stay rich.

Consider a very simplistic example. Let's say that a certain product requires a certain number minimum wage labor hours to produce and sells for a certain price. Now assume that you double minimum wage. Obviously, the price will double (decreasing the employee's real wages twofold). Who is this increased price hurting? First of all, it's hurting those who earn more than minimum wage and are forced to pay more for the product. Second of all, it is hurting the companies, who cannot compete with other countries in which the same product sells for a lower price. Third of all, the poor are hurt because unemployment increases as a direct result of the high price needed to hire a menial laborer that many companies cannot afford. The unemployment will probably mean more stress on the welfare system, which ultimately hurts us all. There are many negative consequences if you increase minimum wage. The optimal solution would be to abolish it altogether, lower unemployment, make America more competitive in the world market, increase real wages for those currently making over minimum wage, etc.

A brief digression--those of you who are only slightly familiar with my politics might say "but the Nazz is a partisan Democrat--of course he loves Hillary." You would be wrong. I thoroughly dislike her, and the only way I would vote for her is if she gets the Democratic party nomination in 2008--and I'm going to do as much as possible to see that that doesn't happen.

That's the thing with Hillary. The Left hates her because she's a cowardly opportunist, the Center hates her because she's supposedly liberal, and the Right hates her because she's a Clinton.

Running her would be idiotic.

But yes, this bill is an excellent proposal, on a variety of levels.

Although I dislike Hilary Clinton, and politicians in general, I think that tieing (sic?) the minimum wage to congressional pay is absolutely brilliant. The only thing smarter might be to pay congress the minimum wage so that they would get an idea how the other half lives.

Although I dislike Hilary Clinton, and politicians in general, I think that tieing (sic?) the minimum wage to congressional pay is absolutely brilliant. The only thing smarter might be to pay congress the minimum wage so that they would get an idea how the other half lives.
They shouldn't be paid anything at all. Serving as a public servant should be a sacrifice.

They shouldn't be paid anything at all. Serving as a public servant should be a sacrifice.

I'd agree, but there is one problem - such a stipulation would mean that only independently rich politicians would be capable of serving in public office.

I'd agree, but there is one problem - such a stipulation would mean that only independently rich politicians would be capable of serving in public office.
And that would change what exactly?
Seriously, they should be provided transportation, meals and lodgings, but not allowed to take home a paycheck.
They should also have to do their own paperwork.

They shouldn't be paid anything at all. Serving as a public servant should be a sacrifice.

But having to struggle to pay their bills on a minimum wage job would be punishment.

Oh and in case I missed it, when did any of them actually act as anyones servant? Oh I forgot: they serve the god callled Dollar.

I'd agree, but there is one problem - such a stipulation would mean that only independently rich politicians would be capable of serving in public office.
You seem more than willing to dictate that people should do jobs for nothing or next to nothing.



Are you a producer?


Really, these nightmare scenarios require that there be such a huge amount of the work force that is working at minimum wage that simply giving them an extra twenty-five cents an hour so that their wage is now only 6% behind inflation instead of 12% would hurl the economy into chaos, the dollar would be crushed by the peso and CEOs would be selling apples and pencils in the streets.

If there are that many people working at minimum wage, that's a problem. A problem that would become much much worse if all those people suddenly started making less.

Higher minimum wage=more money needed in circulation to pay workers=inflation
Higher minimum wage=higher prices=inflation
Happy?
No, that was not an explanation.

Which is why I am in favor of a carefully managed system to provide those who prove that they can’t afford private medical insurance,
How do they prove it? Hire a lawyer better than the opposing lawyer who says you are wealthy enough to afford a minimum of health care?

Let nobody say that Hillary is stupid.

Bill Clinton was a very smart man and Hillary is even smarter.

You should have said "and Hilary is an even smarter one".

It is a good bill. if she actually gets a good bill passed then Il be impressed,

You seem more than willing to dictate that people should do jobs for nothing or next to nothing.



Are you a producer?


Really, these nightmare scenarios require that there be such a huge amount of the work force that is working at minimum wage that simply giving them an extra twenty-five cents an hour so that their wage is now only 6% behind inflation instead of 12% would hurl the economy into chaos, the dollar would be crushed by the peso and CEOs would be selling apples and pencils in the streets.

If there are that many people working at minimum wage, that's a problem. A problem that would become much much worse if all those people suddenly started making less.

Where did I say that I was opposed to a minimum wage? I'm not, I support it, and I support current efforts to achieve a living wage as well.

The minimum wage stays, just like it should. No minimum wage=bosses hiring hobos for 10¢ an hour. If they don't like it, there's a bunch of more hobos that want their jobs
The unemployment rate in the United States is less than 5%. Fact is, there isn't a huge surplus of unskilled labour, and there'd be even less if the government got serious about dealing with illegal immigration.

And of course, some of that unemployment is caused by the minimum wage.

they say that living cost goes up about 3% every year?

Why not raise the min wage the same way?

Because that would cause the cost of living to go up by even more -- for everyone. Even if you raised the minimum wage enough for those who earn it to keep pace with inflation, you'd be effectively making everyone else poorer -- doubling damning, because those who earn the minimum wage have little to no savings, so they don't suffer from the depreciation of their value -- and, of course, virtually no one works minimum wage for a living.

Where did I say that I was opposed to a minimum wage? I'm not, I support it, and I support current efforts to achieve a living wage as well.
My bad, I actually quoted the wrong post. I meant to quote the other dude, not you.

The unemployment rate in the United States is less than 5%. Fact is, there isn't a huge surplus of unskilled labour, and there'd be even less if the government got serious about dealing with illegal immigration.

And of course, some of that unemployment is caused by the minimum wage.
I'd suggest that some of that unemployment's due not to the minimum wage, but to companies hiring illegal immigrants for way less than the minimum wage. It's use of illegal immigrants which is keeping wages down.
5% btw is not high - indeed, it's about right for keeping wage pressure down.

I can't see how raising the min wage a bit is going to have such an adverse effect on the economy as some posters seem to think.
For starters, not everyone is on the minimum wage, so the cost to the majority of companies is going to be minimal. Businesses that have a majority of employees on minwage are mostly food and service industries - and where do you think minwagers are going to be spending their money? So any increase in wage cost will prob be off-set by subsequent increase in profits.

I'd suggest that some of that unemployment's due not to the minimum wage, but to companies hiring illegal immigrants for way less than the minimum wage. It's use of illegal immigrants which is keeping wages down.
5% btw is not high - indeed, it's about right for keeping wage pressure down.

I can't see how raising the min wage a bit is going to have such an adverse effect on the economy as some posters seem to think.
For starters, not everyone is on the minimum wage, so the cost to the majority of companies is going to be minimal. Businesses that have a majority of employees on minwage are mostly food and service industries - and where do you think minwagers are going to be spending their money? So any increase in wage cost will prob be off-set by subsequent increase in profits.
That's usually the way it works, plus when you factor in that people at the lowest wage rungs spend whatever money they have, putting it directly back into circulation as opposed to spending it, you generally get an economic boost as a result. It's part of the reason that targeted tax cuts at the lowest income levels usually acts as an economic boost (as opposed to the ludicrous theory that says give tax cuts to the rich and they'll invest, which has yet to ever actually work).

Screw congress, I want minimum wage tied to average slaries (including bonuses) of the CEOs of the top 100 Corporations.

We should abolish minimum wage altogether. Let the people decide for how much money they are willing to work. It will ultimately be advantageous for us all.

I agree, something needs to get the peons to street with torches and guns.

So, does she still hate video games?

When you have a minimum wage and employers are artificially forced to raise wages, they cut jobs. Minimum wage limits jobs, like many unions today. It makes it better if you are employed, but harder to beomce employed as employers see their proftis go down and act acordingly.

Minimum wage needs to be abolished. It would create more jobs, and no matter how hard living off a low wage would suck, it would be better then the no wage that many people suffer from because of minimum wage. Abolish minimum wage and wages might go down somewhat, but remember it's still your choice to work, no one is forcing you to.

It's not really creating more jobs if everyone needs to work several in order to make enough to live off of.

That's usually the way it works, plus when you factor in that people at the lowest wage rungs spend whatever money they have, putting it directly back into circulation as opposed to spending it, you generally get an economic boost as a result. It's part of the reason that targeted tax cuts at the lowest income levels usually acts as an economic boost (as opposed to the ludicrous theory that says give tax cuts to the rich and they'll invest, which has yet to ever actually work).
I can certainly personally attest to that. 5 years ago I was getting $300NZ (~$190US) a week. My rent was $110 /week and cause I lived 30kms out of town, my petrol cost me another $50 /week. Suffice to say, I spent every cent I earned. When I finally got a pay rise (a whopping $75NZ/$45US /week) I just spent the lot. All it meant was that I was able to eat something other than bloody canned tuna and rice every night.

Last year I was on the equivalent of $750US /week and was able to save a bit. I'm now on $1200US /week and guess what? I'm not spending any more than I was last year. I'm just saving more (and paying off some debts faster).

So, does she still hate video games?
Yeah, I think so. Like I said in the OP, I'm limiting my praise to this bill only.

How do they prove it? Hire a lawyer better than the opposing lawyer who says you are wealthy enough to afford a minimum of health care?
Eh?
How do you even come to that conclusion?
You would simply apply by reporting your income and expenses.

Screw congress, I want minimum wage tied to average slaries (including bonuses) of the CEOs of the top 100 Corporations.
Hear hear.

"Hillary submits a good bill!"

Not a bad idea at all. Like you said, credit where credit is due.

Eh?
How do you even come to that conclusion?
You would simply apply by reporting your income and expenses.
And wealthy enough to afford a minimum of healthcare is entirely subjective, more so depending on the lawyer.