Weekly Address: This Labor Day, Let’s Talk About the Minimum Wage
Source: White House
In this weeks address, the President wished Americans a Happy Labor Day weekend, highlighted the important economic progress weve made, and reaffirmed his commitment to accelerate our progress and ensure that our growing economy fuels a strong middle class.
To do this, the President reiterated that Congress should do right by hardworking Americans across the country and raise the minimum wage, and he praised the 13 states and Washington, D.C. as well as employers large and small who have heeded his call and taken action to provide their citizens and employees a fair wage.
The President underscored that America built the worlds greatest middle class by making sure that everyone whos willing to work hard and play by the rules can get ahead an economic patriotism worth remembering this Labor Day, and every day.
Read more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/08/30/weekly-address-labor-day-let-s-talk-about-minimum-wage
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/08/30/weekly-address-labor-day-let-s-talk-about-minimum-wage
(snip)
We set aside Labor Day to honor the working men and women of America. And this Labor Day, weve got more to celebrate. Over the past 53 months, our businesses have added nearly 10 million new jobs. Last month, for the first time since 1997, we created more than 200,000 jobs for six straight months. And for the first time in over a decade, business leaders worldwide have declared, two years running, that the number one place to invest isnt China its America.
(snip)
The bottom line is, America deserves a raise. But until weve got a Congress that cares about raising working folks wages, its up to the rest of us to make it happen. And in the year and a half since I first asked Congress to raise the minimum wage, Americans of all walks of life are doing just that.
Thirteen states and D.C. have done their part by raising their minimum wages. Four more states have minimum wage initiatives on the ballot this November. And the states where the minimum wage has gone up this year have experienced higher job growth than the states that havent.
Business leaders at companies like The Gap are doing their part. Theyre raising base wages for tens of thousands of workers because they know its good for business.
Mayors across the country are doing their part. Mayor Emanuel in Chicago and Mayor Garcetti in L.A. are working to lift their cities wages over time to at least thirteen dollars an hour.
Ive tried to do my part by requiring companies that get contracts with the federal government to pay their workers a fair wage of ten dollars and ten cents an hour.
And earlier this month, the president of Kentucky State University set a great example by giving himself a $90,000 pay cut, so that he could give raises to his lowest-paid employees. His sacrifice will give more of his workers and their families a little extra money to help make ends meet.
Thats how America built the greatest middle class the world has ever known. Not by making sure a fortunate few at the top are doing well, but by making sure that everyone whos willing to work hard and play by the rules can get ahead. Thats the bedrock this country is built on. Hard work. Responsibility. Sacrifice. And looking out for one another as one united American family.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)but only a start.
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)1. The minimum wage is just a stepping stone to higher wages within the company. (Yeah, like hamburger maker to floor washer)
2. Most minimum wage jobs are held by young people and teens. (An outright lie and they KNOW it)
3. A lot of minimum wage jobs have insurance benefits (Ah..What planet are you from ??)
4. You can always get food stamps with minimum wage jobs. (Oh yes..that's a WONDERFUL way to live) plus...we taxpayers are supporting the companies that have low-wage jobs.
...and there's more..
darkangel218
(13,985 posts)The minimum wage should be at least $15 per hour.
I may be wrong, but that's my opinion.
DireStrike
(6,452 posts)socialist_n_TN
(11,481 posts)For any sort of family, it should be over $5 per hour more.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)-Laelth
socialist_n_TN
(11,481 posts)I'm ready to talk about a living wage based on the COL in each area. A living wage with job sharing AT THAT LIVING WAGE NO MATTER THE HOURS WORKED, until every person that wants a job, HAS a job. A living wage that tied to a COL adjustment set by the workers themselves.
And these are just the basic economic demands. An economy that doesn't provide a living wage for a full time worker and work for everyone who wants a job is NOT an economy that working for the people. It's only working for the bosses.
yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)Minimum wage is just more smoke and mirrors.
http://livingwage.mit.edu/
BumRushDaShow
(129,440 posts)And glad he again emphasized the minimum wage issue and underscored how that ties in with all the other positive labor reforms that have occurred over the past century, thanks to the establishment of unions....
Alkene
(752 posts)So we're expected to work multiple jobs, except that places like Target don't schedule fixed hours- so you can't coordinate blocks of time to work other jobs.
Here, in Seattle, they're raising the minimum wage by $7/ hr. (!) - over the course of seven years.
Not sure I can hold out until 2021.
Better situation than most locations, however. I'm thankful for that.
quadrature
(2,049 posts)President Obama.
this is the moment you have been
waiting for.
Andy823
(11,495 posts)Then so should everyone in this county who is no underpaid. Hell congress works "part time", or should I say very, very part time, and yet they get benefits, and raises, so why won't they do the same for the low wager earners in this country?
Most members of congress don't need a raise, and they can all afford health care, yet they let the taxpayers pay for their health care and retirement, which most don't need either. Let them rely on SS like most of America, and let them pay for their own health care. Cut all the benefits they get until they vote to raise the minimum wage for all Americans, and if they don't vote to increase the wages of Americans then vote the out of office, period.
There are so many reasons why we have to get out and vote these dumb ass republicans out of office. The meme that both sides are the same is BS and those who spew that lie need to be called out when they use it. Not voting and allowing a republican to win office is not going to help this country one damned bit. Yes we need to weed out any corporate democrats, but we need to do that in the primaries. Not voting only allows for republicans to gain seats, and that's just plain insane!
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Explained that employers giving under that are stealing from taxpayers. It's a subsidy to those who don't need it.
They know people will have to go to government for housing, healthcare and food. Government has to respond to be legitimate. Meanwhile the owners pocket the difference, refuse to support that government and escape their tax burdens.
And no one wants to have to take time off work to go and apply for housing, healthcare and food that is determined by the month instead of what they would buy out of that $15 a hour and have contracted for a year. No one would choose that goatrope.
Obama has visited cities across the nation to push upping the minimum wage, including my city. Our Dems have pushed taxes on the wealthy, social services, education and other progressive measures like upping the wage. We are still faced with a stalemate from the baggers elected in the red area of our state on just about all of those things. Most critical is education, wages, fair taxation to make it progressive, funds for transportation. It's a hostile atmosphere even in a blue state. But that is where the battle is since Congress refuses to act.
After I talked with my friend, I could see the light bulb and enthusiasm light up over the phone from over two thousand miles away. Obama has visited her state, too, to push upping the wage. Now the people must GOTV to get it.