It is also as American as a hamburger or hot dog but congress has too few "serious" public servants and too many clowns to deal with the situation. President Obama proposed raising the minimum wage over a year ago and both houses of congress has failed to act on the matter.
Republicans and business call it a job killer but there was no raise in the minimum wage during the administration of George W. Bush and he left office as the greatest job killer since the great depression of 1929. Republicans have a hard time getting anything right because of their ideology. Business are worst because they believe millions of dollars should be spent on executive bonuses rather than on their employees who make those bonuses possible.
We know from all the reports the top 2% earners have received most of the economic benefits over the last two decades and that every else's economic earnings have been flat at best. America the beautiful with the greatest economy that drives the world markets can not afford a minimum wage increase to those that could use and put it to good use.
The business community can deduct business expenses to lower their tax burden, take advantage of tax loopholes and breaks to lower their burden even more and claim raising the minimum wage will put them out of business. They even have a depreciation deductible expense that is a non cash expense. What do the minimum wage earners have? According to those who oppose raising the minimum wage increase, they should just be glad they have a job.
It makes good economic sense to raise the minimum wage, but there is no economic sense to the great disparity between the wealthy and the middle class and no justification for CEO's to make 300 times what their average workers make.
President Obama needs to put more pressure on congress to take an up or down vote on the issue. Those elected officials who are not "serious" public servants need to be identified.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
