Congress Passes Minimum Wage Hike

In a 315-116 vote, the Democratic controlled congress did what had not been accomplished in 10 years. They gave the poor a chance to come up higher. They voted to bring the minimum wage up to $7.25 over the next 26 months, with the first boost to start within 60 days. Of course, now the Senate has to give their version, and hopefully they will see that minimum wage increase is reasonable.

Housing, food, and gas have all significantly risen over the last ten years, but poor earners were expected to raise families and add to economy on $800 per month. By the way, that is the average rent in Los Angeles, so a person would have to have two jobs to have a roof over their head and food.

This is a long overdue hike for the working poor. Many critics only look at it from the small business owner’s point of view, but it is difficult to see all points when the leaders of these groups go home with more in a year than some will make in a lifetime.

The Senate should follow through and help the working poor because it is good for the economy. If people have more money then they will spend it. They will not have to subsidize their income with social programs such as Food Stamps, and they will be able to relocate from crime infested neighborhoods.