tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post116793151137111417..comments2020-04-11T03:30:02.282-05:00Gary R. Welshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1167952712905970792007-01-04T18:18:00.000-05:002007-01-04T18:18:00.000-05:00anon 5:30, Are you aware the federal minimum wage has not been increased in a decade?Gary R. Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1167949823567156122007-01-04T17:30:00.000-05:002007-01-04T17:30:00.000-05:00"Raising the minimum hourly wage from $5.15 to $7.25 is long overdue"<BR/><BR/>Well, a $1/hr raise equals: $1/hr*40hrs/week*52weeks/year = $2,080/year more. So we basically just raised the income of min. wage workers $4,368.00/year. That is a pretty decent wage hike. Of course, I am hoping this affects other wages. When do I get my $4K raise? I doubt I ever will. Anyways, the min. wage will affect small business more than anything. My friends who own a fast food shop already pay over min. wage. They said a hike to $7.25 will cost at least one position. Depending on how many folks are working for them, someone may lose their job. I still say this will cause prices to go up. Everyone will disagree, but a .5% hike (if that) in prices will likely cover the wage burden.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1167939227691650502007-01-04T14:33:00.000-05:002007-01-04T14:33:00.000-05:00I just hope the Senate R's are prepared to filibuster the sh*t out of anything and everything coming their way from the House.<BR/><BR/>The biggest lesson of the last 13 years is that nothing can happen in the Senate without 60 votes, right?<BR/><BR/>My proposal: allow Democrat bills to go through ONLY if the new majority allows up or down votes on all of Bush's judicial nominees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1167938822043483492007-01-04T14:27:00.000-05:002007-01-04T14:27:00.000-05:00The "corporate jet" ban is one thing, what if you have your own plane and the Congressperson (or a staffer) is a licensed pilot?<BR/><BR/>I know it sounds like a silly question but keep in mind - the Law of Unintended Consequences.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1167936171423189662007-01-04T13:42:00.000-05:002007-01-04T13:42:00.000-05:00aMEN 1:35.<BR/><BR/>Let's just hope the Congressional leaders don't take ethics lessons form the Indiana legislature. There, a "commission" appointed by the legislature oversees lobbying expenses and reporting.<BR/><BR/>Which is all very convenient.<BR/><BR/>There is a glitch, though, AI--the wire services are reporting that the new rules will extend to all staff, as well. There are hundreds of low-paid reearch and go-fer grunts, who often get taken to lunch by reporters and associations. That's now off the table.<BR/><BR/>Nothing like smacking the little guys, huh? Gingrich & Co. promised these reforms 12 years ago.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1167935753420419852007-01-04T13:35:00.000-05:002007-01-04T13:35:00.000-05:00I prefer a legitimate debate over "tax and spend" (is what we want to spend the money on worth the tax) than what we have had for the last several years which is "spend on ourselves, tax the kids."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1167934356335929872007-01-04T13:12:00.000-05:002007-01-04T13:12:00.000-05:00I bet the first Democrat sponsored 'Tax & Spend' bill is introduced within 72 hrs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com