Debbie Dingell vows to be 'one of the loudest screamers' in support of $15 minimum wage

[JoeOtterbein]

Politico

She says that some of those being paid the least have been the most important workers during the pandemic.

By AUBREE ELIZA WEAVER

02/07/2021 10:43 AM EST

Democrats are facing an increasingly uphill battle when it comes to a $15-an-hour minimum wage and now their plans to include it in the $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill are in jeopardy.

But Rep. Debbie Dingell defended the call for an increase Sunday morning, arguing the people being paid minimum wage are the very individuals who have “kept us together” since the pandemic began.

“When it comes to the minimum wage, I am going to be one of the loudest screamers about it,” the Michigan Democrat said on CNN’s “Inside Politics.”

“The fact of the matter is if you look at who has kept us together these last months, almost a year now since Covid hit, it’s people we haven’t thought were worth paying $15 an hour. We need to pay people what their worth is and their worth in this society means they should be paid a minimum wage that keeps them above the poverty line.”

snip

more solid good political sense & morality at link

[Rick Rolle]

1. $15 is a good start...

But it could have been done years ago. Local and state governments already have the authority to mandate minimum wages. The fact that so few have indicates that not enough political careers have been threatened yet. I assure you, if enough people organize, protest, and get out the votes, then politicians will be forced to act out of self preservation.

Same thing can be said for underfunded school systems, universal health care (at the state level), and all manner of social services. We all know that when something becomes profitable, someone will start a business to make that profit. The same holds true for politicians: when something threatens their reelection, they suddenly find religion and make stuff happen. If you want something fixed, threaten a politician with being voted out of office. It's the only thing they truly care about.

[JoeOtterbein]

2. +1

Much to do to just barely catch up.

[Demsrule86]

4. I wish we had the votes. But it can't be used in reconciliation so I don't see any chance of 60

votes.

[Rick Rolle]

5. Bypass Congress!

Since the Congress won't/can't seem to get its act together, take it to the State government. If the governor believes his political future is at risk, he will make something happen. Let him, or her, know that failure to provide for the citizens will cost him his job, and all of the pocket-lining perks that go with it. No more "political contributions" to fund his big house/car/boat/vacation home/retirement fund. No more free meals, free rides, or free anything, unless he does the will of the majority, instead of the will of the big campaign contributors.

If you can't get to the governor, get to your county or city officials. Start small and good results will breed more good results.

[JoeOtterbein]

3. Also, Welcome to DU!

We need more voices like yours!

[Rick Rolle]

7. We have plenty of voices...

We just have to make sure they're heard. One person, standing on a sidewalk with a sign, is a crazy nut job. Tens of thousands of people, marching towards the seats of power, are a loud and clear message to elected officials. It says "listen to us or your gravy train is over."

Every election we vote for people who claim "vote for me and I'll fix the problems." Since the people we elect are the only ones with the authority to fix the problems, yet the problems rarely seem to get fixed, I can only assume those we've elected don't actually want to fix them.

[roamer65]

6. She's my representative.

MI-12.

[JoeOtterbein]

8. She is the...

...best!

[yellowdogintexas]

9. One of her staff members is a young woman I have known since birth!!

She just moved from the district office to DC; her 100% Democratic family is so very proud of her. Nice to see someone living her dream!