SW comments

SW comments on "Money Talk" - post on minimum wage:

"while it's no secret that Republicans and budgets rarely equal good intentions, i do have to say the economics are not as cut and dry as we would like to think. more than cutting jobs, both small and big businesses would make more of their workers part-time, the consequences of which would mean both that the two dollar an hour difference would make no difference in total income because of the reduction in hours, and that a lot of workers would lose full-time benefits, like the ever-important healthcare, which for a worker with a minimum pay job can be much more important than 2 dollars/hr. there should be a focus on guaranteeing healthcare and child care for those who need it, followed by an all around revitalization of the economy to create more of a demand for jobs (which generally leads to higher wages).

and you are right - estate tax breaks? pssh, why not give the rich free pony rides while you're at it..."

I love it. SW offers a comment that is both intelligent and critical. And I totally agree with her that it is not cut and dry. If it was, there would be no two sides. And she is totally right that even if minimum wage does go through, many times it comes not only at the expense of other workers, but also at the expense of themselves, but giving up benefits like healthcare.

But that leads to another reason why these Republicans have left a huge distaste in my mouth. In 1997, which was the lst time the wage was increased from $4.75 to $5.15, it was proposed by Democrats and finally passed when Republicans "bargained it to tax- and health-insurance related issues." What does "related issues" mean? Cut the health-insurance.

This year, they offer a counter offer under the same light. They counter with an increase to $6.25 (which is about right for a minimum after inflation), but paired with reductions in overtime pay and tax cuts for businesses.

Though we're not talking about health insurance cuts this time around, overtime pay is one of the more essential entities in a lower class family's living. Cutting overtime pay for them is like cutting a piece of their salary in many cases.

In terms of tax cuts for businesses, I'm for it. But if the Republican party has shown us anything, it will probably be businesses who must be worth at least 300 billion dollars, with a chance of light showers, fraud, and criminal conspiracy, ending up in a lifetime of prison for the CEOs.