The idea being that if Congress votes to raise their own pay they MUST also raise the minimum wage by the same percentage. If they fail to enact the minimum wage increase then they get no raise either.
2007-02-26 10:22:29 · 8 answers · asked by John B 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
RE: the comment "less than 4% of workers earn minimum wage" - this is a distortion caused by "clever" employers. What many do is pay their workers just a little above the minimum wage (usually 5 cents more), this distorts the statistics by showing less people earning the minimum whereas in reality if you figured those earning the bare minimum PLUS those earning within, oh say, 5% there are a HELL of a lot more than 4% who fall into that "lowest wage earner" category!
Also, the argument that the prices for everything would skyrocket if the minimum is raised is old hat, it was been made and disproved when the minimum was established, and has been made and disproved every time it has actually been raised since. Stands to reason, you put more money in the hands in the hands of those who need it, they spend it, demand increases, business booms and everyone is better off.
So what say we keep the nonsense and false statistics out of the answers, shall we?
2007-02-26 11:22:14 · update #1
No one wants to put together an intelligent, well-reasoned response to this? Come on out there . . . . . .
2007-03-04 04:50:47 · update #2
Yes, of course it should. After all we do not have the ability to raise our own pay simply by voting for a raise. Also, since we have to pay thier salaries, we need an increase to offset our ever increasing taxes.
2007-02-26 10:27:23 · answer #1 · answered by psycmikev 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they should peg the Congressional wage to the rate for hanging drywall, and if Congressional wages have not gone down since the 1980s, they should go down proportionately until they catch up with the wage loss in that profession.
Most jobs don't pay the minimum wage, and it is the middle class that is losing out.
2007-02-26 12:31:34 · answer #2 · answered by DAR 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Congress is paid by taxpayers, and minimum wage is paid by private employers. That is a silly idea. It would also create a cycle of minimum wage increases, causing lower employment levels among unskilled workers.
BTW, less than 4% of workers earn minimum wage. And, you can vote a pay raise for yourself. Work harder, become more productive, and demand one.
2007-02-26 10:28:52 · answer #3 · answered by desotobrave 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The minimum wage should stay the same.
Raising the minimum wage:
-reduces buying power for struggling families
-increases inflation
-cheapens the dollar internationally
2007-02-26 10:29:54 · answer #4 · answered by infobrokernate 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it should be tied to the average inflation-adjusted wage. If that doesn't move up, then their pay doesn't either. That way, it's not tied to something they can directly influence by legislation, but rather as a mark of how well things are going for the economy overall.
2007-02-26 10:34:31 · answer #5 · answered by mattzcoz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2007-03-04 09:43:35 · answer #6 · answered by seattleogre 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they should live on the minimun wage. They should use public tranportation and live on medicare. Only then would they be people of the people.
2007-03-03 12:28:14 · answer #7 · answered by jason m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RASING THE NATIONAL MIM WAGE IS SORTA A SHOT IN THE FOOT CUZ ALL THE PRICES WILL GO UP ON EVERYTHING LEAVING US IN THE SAME MESS
2007-02-26 10:30:24 · answer #8 · answered by crazy_cooter0101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋