Since 2009, the federal minimum wage has been $7.25 per hour. This translates to just over $15k a year, substantially lower than the official poverty line for a household of three, which is $19,790. Considering that we have 46 million people in poverty today, 20 million of which are in deep poverty (at or below half of poverty line), and another 40 million that if not for food stamps, EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), and other forms of temporary assistance programs would be in poverty, it’s pretty astonishing that the Senate Republicans blocked a bill to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 from getting a vote. More shocking though, is the lack of indignation and outrage that one would expect from such a fallacious act. Poll data consistently show a majority of 73%-78% of Americans support a minimum wage increase. Further, more than half of Republicans support the measure. Even Presidential Candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney recently came out in support of a mi...
Cuts through the political and media-driven rhetoric that keeps attacks on democratic and civil ideals out of the public consciousness.