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[oy_angelina]

Minimum Wage just got raised from $5.15 to $7.25.  Bout freaking time America started giving the working class a chance.

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I am LOVING the Democrats in the House right now.

Comments

[alya1989262]

And, what's more, even when it does get signed, the 2.10$ raise isn't immediate. That's in 26 months... Over 2 years.

It's a step in the right direction, but only that; a step.

[oy_angelina]

Yeah I know. I haven't scheduled my parade to march on through but I'm just happy that the government is doing something other than wax philosophical. This wasn't even all the Dems either. Wasn't it 80 Republicans on board?

I'm sure it will go through, but it's a pain to wait

[alya1989262]

"The last time the federal minimum wage rose was in 1997. That's the longest stretch without an increase since the minimum wage was established in 1938. Inflation has eroded the minimum wage's buying power to the lowest level in about 50 years."

Wow... That almost sounds like my country. :P

Seriously, the mere fact that this is regarded as such a great accomplishment by Democrats is telling.

[oy_angelina]

Yeah well don't get us started.

In America we give huge points in the "A for effort" catagory simply because we're not used to effort.

[alya1989262]

Yeah, well, it's okay. I'm used to that, too.
Hell, last year, people've been cheering because we could actually choose between several candidates at the Presidentials. You know, like an actual election!

[oy_angelina]

Oh god, America hasn't been enthusiastic about that for ages. Which is SAD. We have the right to elect nearly anyone (in theory) to hold office but we always settle for the lesser of two WASPs. Or, as of late, the Greater.

::salutes Prez Bush::

[deviousgeke]

I'm happy about this development, as it's been a long time coming, but I feel there are bigger fish to fry. The new Congress is making a bid for popular support, and it's working, but raising the minimum wage won't stop jobs from being outsourced, or keep guns away from 5 year-olds, or provide health care for those in need... I feel it's too early in the game to start celebrating. But I'm hopeful.

[oy_angelina]

Well, let's just count it as a small step in the right direction to a bigger goal. Everyone always focuses on the big issues - war, violence, abortion, gay rights - and these are important, but the fact that there are too many American jobs being given to foreign nations so a company can save a buck and exploit TWO NATIONS or the fact the bare minimum wage isn't enough to provide for a family are problems that need to be addressed too.

It's far from perfect but, in the real world, I'm just settling for better.

[deviousgeke]

True, but then consider how many employers will flock to overseas operations because they don't want to pay the increased minimum wage... It's a slippery slope to climb. After all, think of the long-term consequences. It's fine to raise the minimum wage - but unless we can reduce inflation so that America's working class can actually benefit from the wage-hike, or unless we somehow arrange to give businesses more incentive to seek domestic workers, this will just perpetuate the cycle.

[alya1989262]

True, but then consider how many employers will flock to overseas operations because they don't want to pay the increased minimum wage...
... Providing employment for poor countries' working class. See? Democrats are Sekritly thinking of the third-world. ;)

Not to mention, more nice clothes manufactured here, ending up in our outlets. :P

[siriusly7]

Everyone above should cheer the hell up, JESUS.

I'm all about the new (maybe) minimum wage. =) It's almost as much as I make now.