Everyone knows we Americans love war. We have a beautiful internal war raging in the Senate as Democrats propose to raise a national minimum wage that hasn't been raised in eight years.
In those eight years, congress has given themselves seven wage increases.
The minimum wage is $5.15. That comes to $206 a month before taxes.
Let's approximate amonth's living, after taxes. A minimum wage employee makes $618 a month.
Rent is, lets say, $500 a month.
Utilities, at the bare minimum, $35.
A bus pass, $32.
The bare minimum of food, $240.
That's $807.
Let's get a roommate in our tiny one bedroom.
That's $557.
An extra $61 per month!
The federal guidelines for the poverty level in the 48 Contiguous
States and D.C. of $ 9,570.
But some Republicans feel an increase $1.10 over 18 months is enough.
And many Republicans feel no increase is necessary.
It is unlikely an increase would survive the Senate and the House has no plans to vote this year on a minimum wage increase. They claim it would force drive up costs and force small businesses to lay off workers. Which could very well be true.
As this is debated, a bankruptcy bill, long a priority for Republicans, is intended to make it more difficult for people to eliminate personal debts by declaring bankruptcy.
Isn't it ironic?
2 comments:
35 in utilities is low as well. My phone bill alone is about 20 and I am notorious for being non-comunactative
"In those eight years, congress has given themselves seven wage increases."
That's the part that bothers me most, especially with all the other perks they get.
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