Minimum Wage: Now is the time, folks!

We're pushing this a lot today, but that's because this is happening right now in the Senate. We really need to up the pressure to get some action.

The Democrats in the House and Senate backed by some House Republicans are pushing for the first increase in the minimum wage since 1997. Their efforts are being blocked by a Republican filibuster in the Senate and is being held up by no fewer than 121 amendments, mostly benefitting special interests. The pressure has to come from us to get the Republicans in the Senate to stop blocking the first pay raise for America's working poor in 10 years.

This comes from 21st Century Democrats:

Today, the U.S. Senate is poised to vote on finally giving the hard working people in this country a raise. The only thing stopping it… the Republicans are filibustering a final vote by opposing closing debate of the bill and moving to final passage of a increased minimum wage. As of this morning, 121 amendments to the increase in the minimum wage have been filed - largely to benefit special interests or put anti-labor language into the bill. Even though the legislation is enormously popular across the country, the Republicans in the Senate are using this as a way to stall the one thing they don’t want to deal with; the Iraq War...

The fact that this bill sped through the House of Representatives and is only being held up in the Senate by the Republicans as a purely political move is simply horrendous. We cannot stand idly by as they play politics on the backs of hard working people in America.

Defeating poverty is the key to solving most of the social issues in our country. A minimum wage worker at $5.15/hour working 40 hours a week for 52 weeks a year makes barely $11,000 BEFORE taxes. This doesn’t make room for so many of the essentials in life like health care, school supplies, and transportation. A raise to $7.25/hour is a good start towards giving hard working Americans the opportunity to live healthy and happy.

This simply comes down to dignity and respect. Individuals who work a full-time job, regardless of what that job is, should be afforded the dignity of having enough income to provide for them and their family. Passage of a minimum wage increase will say to these people, “we have respect for you and your family.”

This is good for our businesses and communities in America. CEO’s from around the country are supporting this wage increase because it makes smart business sense and adds a much needed boost to our local communities. Business for a Fair Minimum Wage has been leading a group of bold business leaders, including Costco Wholesale CEO Jim Sinegal, in this all important fight. Costco has continued to be a profitable business while still providing a solid living wage and health care for its employees...

Please take a moment today to speak out for working people everywhere. Tell your Senator that you have had enough. Tell them you are ready for bold leadership in the face of political games.

Go here to find out how to call your Senators to tell them to get off their asses and pass this minimum wage increase. This is particularly important if you have a Republican Senator because THEY are the ones filibustering it. Also, please contact the media and tell them you want to see the Republicans join with the Democrats in helping working Americans get a fair break. Make your voice heard.

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