I'm watching some very interesting debate in the Senate, on C-SPAN2, on a Ted Kennedy amendment to a bill that would increase minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.25. Sen. Dodd is getting angry, throwing around his charts, showing how energy costs are rising, inflation is rising, wages are falling, and poverty is increasing. While corporate profits have increased by more than 100 percent, wages have risen only 3.2 percent in the same period (didn't catch which period).
Sens. Clinton and Durbin made similarly eloquent speeches and are saying, "why is this even a bipartisan issue?"
Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) stands up and extols the merits of FLEX time! Because that's what poverty-stricken families want -- more time with their families.
Yes, I'm sure that McDonalds allows its employees to work flex time.
It's not about time off you rich prick. It's about money in my pocket!
It galls me how anyone can buys the line that the Democrats don't stand for anything and that we don't have a plan. Raising minimum wage seems like part of a plan to me and these Senators are standing up and talking about working families, increasing profits for corporate bandits who do not want to share with the people who helped them get to where they are.
They even had to change the amendment, which originally raised the wage to $7.25, because they thought it would have a better chance of passing. And yet!
It's a good debate, tune in if you can.