John Edwards has a petition going to ask the Senate to raise the minimum wage - no strings attached. "It's a long overdue change that will immediately help over 13 million people, many living at or below the edge of poverty. But it will only happen if you speak up," Edwards wrote. "Last week, the Senate Republicans filibustered a clean version of the proposal, and now they're trying to force Democrats to either pass billions of dollars more in corporate tax breaks or give up raising the minimum wage."
Don't let them get away with this cynical ploy. Sign the petition now.
I'm surprised, in way, that the minimum wage hike hasn't gone farther than it has. Wherever a minimum wage initiative was on the ballot, it passed overwhelmingly. Looks like our representative would see the writing on the wall. This issue has also been identified by progressive groups as a potential “wedge issue” (to wedge people up off the couch) to counter anti-gay marriage initiatives etc. If this Congress doesn't move on raising the minimum wage, I bet there'll be more ballot measures placed before the voters. Yet another issue where the people are ahead of most leaders.
I hope Edwards keeps on his populist track, some candidate needs to be talking about these things. Geez, is it 2008 yet?
Posted by: Idagreen | January 30, 2007 at 02:17 PM