Thursday, June 02, 2005

Minimum Wage / Maximum Disaster

Dear Governor. This is not compromise. This is horse-apples, as my dad would say.

It is a first in my memory. A raise in the minimum wage is usually allowed to pass by the party of the ultra-rich ONLY if a substantial tax break is put into the bill for those 'ultra-rich'. This time it didn't happen this way. The ultra-rich convinced the Guv to prevent any locality from raising their minimum wage higher than a statewide minimum for all eternity. This in return for a paltry increase in the minimum wage.

The Republicans apparently think that the cost of rent is the same in Milwaukee, Madison, and Oshkosh, as it is in Ubet, Luck, and Spread Eagle, Wisconsin. (Yea...Race to your favorite map site and look those up!) They are complaining that it would be too hard to keep track of the minimum wage if it was different in various parts of the state. They must think that folks are brain dead. If it is that hard to keep track of wages maybe we could have uniform prices on bread, milk, and gasoline statewide too. Haven't they heard of computers? Wages could change once a day---like auto fuel.

Guv Doyle was wrong to let the Republicans suck him into this morass. Minimum wage increases should stand alone EVERY time they come to a vote.

Points to remember...
-Personal taxes are extremely high in this state.
-Corporate taxes are extremely low.
-Raising the minimum wage is not going to send businesses to Illinois.

Further...
Aren't the Republicans the party of 'local control'? Why would they be against localities determining their own minimum wage?

It is my sincere hope that Peg Lautenschlager can throw a wrench in this thing and put a stop to the nonsense.

We need a raise in the minimum wage.
Any locality should be able to raise theirs.
NO MORE tax cuts for the rich.

In the words of William T. Evjue: "Let the people have the truth, and the freedom to discuss it, and all will go well".

1 comment:

AngelAiken AKA Thee U.M.O.G said...

this all sounds right to me cause i am thinking of moving someday and where i would possibly like to move they have many wages but some increase does help.
(and note to gary that they did change it to 5.70 last week)
with that increase I would make more than $200 here (instead of only 180)and yet that wont cover rent or anything really
this is the way it has always been for my family and how it will be for me. And i sit by seeing the rich get richer so now i aint sitting no more
yes NO MORE
NO MORE tax cuts for the rich!!!