MiniWage Pot Philosophy

Ted Kennedy and others are going to fight for the poor, in regard to raising the federal minimum wage. "It's a fairness issue, and everybody gets the concept of fairness," said Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, a long-time proponent of a higher minimum wage. ''It's a moral issue. It's a value."

Ten states already have a higher minimum wage and the idea is "the Democrats have a new strategy that may finally get the Republicans off the pot." Dems working to get a minimum wage increase on state ballots hope putting a minimum-wage increase on the ballot does for them what putting on an anti-gay marriage proposition does for Republicans -- it gets out the base. Every state has federally sanctioned "exceptions" to the minimum wage laws, such as workers under 20 years of age, certain types of work, length of time of work, family business work, etc.

Molly Ivins writes : "If the minimum wage had kept pace with inflation since 1968, when it was $1.60 an hour, it would be $7.60 an hour today, according to the AFL-CIO. A year-round, full-time worker would have to make $7.74 an hour just to be at the poverty level for a family of three -- $2.59 above the current minimum wage. The gap between middle-class workers and those making the minimum wage is the largest on record."

So Bubba, when you finally get that minimum raise to $6 or $7-sumpin' sumpin' you can thank the moral thinking Democrat pols for lifting you up "just to be at the poverty level" - it's only fair.