Here are my concerns about a Bernie candidacy ...

[TheKentuckian]

186. Nobody is solely focused on the minimum wage, wages in general are a huge problem

those at and near the bottom are just in the most desperate shape, every day a losing struggle. Put yourself in those shoes the best you can is all I can ask. It isn't any inability to multitask, it is triage and it isn't just minimum workers but millions and millions making little more and still not enough to make a life.

It is a real struggle around where you mention, doable but uphill. Still not much in the way of vacations or saving anything that adds up but almost swimming. At, 8 to 12 or 13 bucks you are drowning in most situations, rent and food are killing you unless you found some cherry deal on a pad and maybe still anyway depending on location.

It just seems that a lot of folks just don't see the numbers from an in the shoes point of view. It is really bad, check this article out.

http://www.nelp.org/news-releases/movement-higher-pay-grows-report-examines-makes-less-15-u-s/

"New York, NY – As workers across industries prepare for a historic day of strikes and protests for higher wages, a report by the National Employment Law Project (NELP) shows that nearly half, (42 percent) of workers in the US are paid less than $15 an hour."

"The report finds that six in 10 of the largest occupations with median wages less than $15—including restaurant jobs, retail jobs and personal care jobs—are among the occupations projected to add the most jobs in coming years, shedding light on why the “Fight for $15” has spread quickly from the fast-food industry to include workers from various sectors of the economy."

"NELP’s analysis of recent wage data provides breakdowns by age, gender, race, occupation and industry. It finds that nearly half (46.6%) of workers paid less than $15 an hour are 35-years-old or older. More than half of African-American workers and close to 60 percent of Latino workers make less than $15, and more than 90 percent of workers in fast-food, child care and home care are paid less than $15 an hour—jobs that are overwhelmingly filled by women."

“The idea that low-paid service jobs are only a stepping stone for teenagers or young people starting out in the workforce is plainly wrong, said Irene Tung, senior policy researcher at the National Employment Law Project. “Many people are spending decades working in jobs that pay too little to survive—and the people who fill these jobs are overwhelmingly workers of color and women. The prevalence of low wages in many of our economy’s growth sectors is a national crisis, and one that industry leaders in these sectors must take greater steps to address.”

It isn't a case of myopia but rather of dealing with an epidemic that is also most likely to affect the most otherwise disadvantaged at that. It is also hoped that some improvement at the bottom would act as some upward pressure on wages in general as perhaps higher skilled folks that aren't doing so hot either could squeeze a little more out of Mr. Burns, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Scrooge because the threat of "for 3 or 5 dollars less, I can tell you to shove it and make fries" or at worst set some kind of workable floor if the downward pressure on wages can't be reversed or slowed.

It is a big bore issue that directly and indirectly potentially will impact a majority of workers particularly people of color and women.

No question the gender disparity has to be addressed but I'm not seeing this next step from Ledbetter making much more difference than what it already is because it is a small population that is going to ever going to seek it then a much smaller group that is successful.

Yes, a must have avenue but big picture it won't and can't move the needle significantly. I think where hay can be made is maternity, not just the money lost but the potentially career and often long term advancement effects as well.

Guranteed, paid, and non disciplinary sick time would probably add up too, women have a disproportionate responsibility for children and elders and sacrifice in that regard which also can add drag that stacks up against from losing money to taking reduced hours and benefits to job loss and instability. Which reminds us we have a bit of an elder and child care nightmare for folks of limited means.

There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle and the picture won't be completed without yours here but it is just a piece and one of very questionable broad impact, it takes time, focus, and money that make it I guesstimate a 1 in 500,000 or lower solution.
Hell, as far as I can tell declining wages for men has generated more wage equality than Ledbetter has or probably ever will and it isn't a good thing or any boon for women.