I heard this a lot last night after the House was officially called. Many states already have state minimums above the federal rate. Several passed state increases yesterday. Federal rate has been $5.15 since September 1, 1997.

 

I'm pretty sure that this will be one of the very first items that the Congress will push; will be interesting to see if W brings out the veto pen.

 

My conservative friends argue that an increase will drive prices up. However, many of the same friends say that it's not an issue anyway, because nobody really makes only minimum wage. I'm not sure that those viewpoints are compatible, but that's what I hear.

I've also heard it will be first up.

I heard this a lot last night after the House was officially called. Many states already have state minimums above the federal rate. Several passed state increases yesterday. Federal rate has been $5.15 since September 1, 1997.

 

I'm pretty sure that this will be one of the very first items that the Congress will push; will be interesting to see if W brings out the veto pen.

 

My conservative friends argue that an increase will drive prices up. However, many of the same friends say that it's not an issue anyway, because nobody really makes only minimum wage. I'm not sure that those viewpoints are compatible, but that's what I hear.

The ones in so many cases that make minimum wage is the employees who have done nothing in their educational time to develop any skills.

 

If you are an employee that company's want, they will pay you more than minimum wage and provide benefits to get you to stay.

 

As many say with abortion, this is more of a political topic than it is a reality in doing anything to really help out.

The ones in so many cases that make minimum wage is the employees who have done nothing in their educational time to develop any skills.

 

If you are an employee that company's want, they will pay you more than minimum wage and provide benefits to get you to stay.

 

As many say with abortion, this is more of a political topic than it is a reality in doing anything to really help out.

I agree with you, but it's still time.

I agree with you, but it's still time.

Ohio passed something that up it to $6.something.

My conservative friends argue that an increase will drive prices up. However, many of the same friends say that it's not an issue anyway, because nobody really makes only minimum wage. I'm not sure that those viewpoints are compatible, but that's what I hear.

While that may be true that most do not make minimum wage, driving the national minimum wage price higher, I would assume, would drive the wages of all other employees (minimum wage or not) to a higher level.

 

Although many would abuse the power (which is part of the reason we have a minimum wage), I would like to see no minimum wage.

Ohio passed something that up it to $6.something.

$6.85, luckily I make a wee bit more than that already.

The minimum wage issue is a political topic, but its a good one for the Democrats. Its very much like presenting scientific evidence to a jury. Unless the Republicans can explain the inevitable increase in consumer cost resulting from a minimum wage hike in such economic terms that the electorate can understand (and history tells us the Republicans can't do this) and hold the Democrats accountable, the Democrats will get their minimum wage hike AND blame subsequent cost increases on the President. The impact on costs will be immediate, before G.W. leaves office.

 

If I were Republican leadership, I would make a bipartisan effort to agree in principle upon a minimum wage hike, do it AFTER April 15, 2007, and claim that 1) hey, we Republicans are being bipartisan 2) hey, we Republicans recognize that the electorate wants a raise in the MW; and 3) but the hike proposed by the Dems is too much, and propose a modest raise.

While that may be true that most do not make minimum wage, driving the national minimum wage price higher, I would assume, would drive the wages of all other employees (minimum wage or not) to a higher level.

 

Although many would abuse the power (which is part of the reason we have a minimum wage), I would like to see no minimum wage.

 

 

Let me add to this why I feel this way and give an example...

 

 

My mother owns a clothing manufacturing company. Predominatley, the people that work for her have no advanced degrees, experience, etc. There is nothing wrong with that.

 

She easily starts all of her employees above minimum wage, but I would not say a substantial amount. Let us say an employee starts at $7.50/hr. Naturally, with an increase in a minimum wage, it seems to me there will be pressure among business owners to increase their own minimum wages. Does this make any sense? I am not an economist, but just how I have always viewed it.

Let me add to this why I feel this way and give an example...

 

 

My mother owns a clothing manufacturing company. Predominatley, the people that work for her have no advanced degrees, experience, etc. There is nothing wrong with that.

 

She easily starts all of her employees above minimum wage, but I would not say a substantial amount. Let us say an employee starts at $7.50/hr. Naturally, with an increase in a minimum wage, it seems to me there will be pressure among business owners to increase their own minimum wages. Does this make any sense? I am not an economist, but just how I have always viewed it.

 

There might be some pressure, but it doesn't always happen. I've been around long enough to witness many increases in the federal minimum wage. Business are not obligated to raise either their own floor, or the wages of everyone else. Do folks that have been employed for several years get jobbed if their wages don't rise as a function of an increase in the minimum? Often they do, but there's certainly no guarantee that their employer will do anything other than raise the minimum to the federal standard.

It doesn't matter. The Dems are still not going to be able to pass an agenda.

It doesn't matter. The Dems are still not going to be able to pass an agenda.

Republicans and Democrats alike would be STUPID to think they can continue the partisan politics. Neither are on very firm footing.

 

My view is that voters are wanting to see now, who is going to work to get things done instead of continuing on with the same political posturing.

 

The Democrats have a GREAT, GREAT opportunity to cement their hold ala the Republicans with their contract with America, by working with the President (and that may mean giving up some concessions they would prefer not to), and showing they are the party that could get things done.

California is up to 7 going on 8 dollars aren't they? Yes, cost of living is more but still.

I think the Democrats get it up to $6.50 after a great deal of compromise.

 

Honestly, this is a good thing guys. They only people that pay minimum wage are fast food resturants in depressed areas of the country. A move even to $6.50 (from $5.15) means roughly 100 dollars every two weeks more for the full-time worker in depressed rural areas. It is not only decent, but it actually does something Republicans should like also, decreases the bottom earners dependency on the government for money. And who does it arguably hurt? McDonalds, Wendys, etc.

 

I think this is a move that Americans should get behind.

I think the Democrats get it up to $6.50 after a great deal of compromise.

 

Honestly, this is a good thing guys. They only people that pay minimum wage are fast food resturants in depressed areas of the country. A move even to $6.50 (from $5.15) means roughly 100 dollars every two weeks more for the full-time worker in depressed rural areas. It is not only decent, but it actually does something Republicans should like also, decreases the bottom earners dependency on the government for money. And who does it arguably hurt? McDonalds, Wendys, etc.

 

I think this is a move that Americans should get behind.

 

Is there any way that we could tie it to another huge tax break for the oil companies?

 

 

Frances