Senator John McCain joined his fellow Republicans to vote to maintain a filibuster on the minimum wage hike. This is clearly a vote to win him financial backing and support from the elites, but it is one that should come back to haunt him in his Presidential bid.A hike in the minimum wage is supported by at least 75% of Americans -- that number includes a large percentage of Republicans. And it's an issue you can use to win -- as Sherrod Brown learned in Ohio, a state where I'm guessing McCain will want to perform well.
2008 will likely be the year when the rightwing economic vision and electoral reality collide into eachother. This vote is a clear example of how that will happen.
Reader Comments ( Page 10 of 11)
136. I switched my political designation from Rep to Indep this past year. I have never really considered myself anything other than Republican, but in '08 I will not be voting for ANY Republicans. I may even vote for Hilary...I am so disillusioned with Republican politics and it would serve them right to have a woman (and a Clinton) beat out another rich white male.
-Renee (30)
Renee at 5:49PM on Jan 24th 2007
137. The minimum wage was never meant to support a family. With all the child care available both parents working at minimum wage can afford to live, only not with much luxury. In other words, like our parents did back in the 30's. Limiting family size would help more than a raise in mimimum wage.
Ken Scoggins at 10:07PM on Jan 24th 2007
138. The rightist's have been saying minimum wage increases will cause more unemployment since it was 0.90 an hour.
Stanley King at 5:53PM on Jan 24th 2007
139. I don't like Mr mcCain for different reasons but voting against the minimum wage does not help anybody,inflation goes up unemployment goes up, and having been there for a short period of time when California raised theirs was not fun at all, The poor folks who work at Temp jobs really get stuck
Marv C at 6:03PM on Jan 24th 2007
140. Good Day,
To Mr. John McCain, his Supporters, and the Republican Party. All of you forget about the people who put you into office to begin with, remember it was the middle class, the minorities, the everyday Joe, and those persons struggling to work 2 or 3 jobs to get by everyday "WHO PUT YOU INTO THAT OFFICE POSITION!!!" A position you love so much that you defend it with tooth and nail when election time comes along and you go to the public seeking our votes to keep you in that seat, making promises of a better life, as though we were children listening to our parents read us a fairy tail that "Ends with Happily Ever After"...Remember all of you who were elected by "WE" the people of the United States, to fight for us,be our voice and speak on our behalf in Congress and in the Senate...To deny the people of the United States a minimum wage that will allow us to put a decent plate of food on our tables, feed our child, put a roof over our heads, pay our electric and heating bills, and put clothes on the backs of ourselves and our children...is ludicious, is down right shameful, and should not be tolerated. You Mr. John McCain and your Republican comrades give yourselves pay raises every so often...How about starting the new year giving "WE" the people of the United States a raise? (One that does not involve a middle finger...)(Remember that one Mr. George Walker Bush)Everyone who works 9 to 5 or more everyday, who works 2 or more jobs, and whos struggling everyday to make a living...should not tolerate any politician who seeks to deny or eliminate the opportunity to raise the minimum wage... "WE" the people should respond to those politicians that only seek to benefit themselves (MR. JOHN McCAIN) and not the American people...ON ELECTION DAY REMEMBER THEIR RESPONSE (ESPECIALLY MR.JOHN McCAIN'S)AGAINST RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE...AND CAST A VOTE AGAINST THEM AND VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE...IF MR. JOHN McCAIN IS CAPABLE OF DOING THIS NOW,WHEN HE IS JUST A SENATOR!!! YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT MR. JOHN McCAIN IS CAPABLE OF DOING IF HE IS ELECTED PRESIDENT!!Thank you for your time and your patience reading this. If anyone is offend by this, it is and was not my intent....
Good Day Sir and Good Day America...
Devious882 at 4:47PM on Feb 1st 2007
141. Some people are so narrow minded. Get a grip on the entire issue before spouting off. Minimum wage hikes have never been the cause of an increased or decrease in this countries GDP. Everyone wants a market economy until it comes to handouts. Let the job market set wages. If you don't like what wage you are earning, or don't have any skills to improve your life position, do something about it. Just stop asking the government to just give it to you. You are not owed anything. As far as John McCain being a hero, come on! He doesn't agree with you on minimum wage, so his service in Vietnam and being held as a P.O.W. means nothing? Give me a break.
Scott at 6:05PM on Jan 24th 2007
142. You know I worked my butt off for McCain in 2000. I still like the guy, but he's not the same mcCain that ran in 2000. I htink this will hurt him more than help him. Wish we could get the McCain of 2000 back. That would be a winner!
Bobby Wieland at 6:12PM on Jan 24th 2007
143. Every darned time there is an attempt to raise the minimum wage, some idiots predict that it will cost folks their jobs. Nonsense. It hasn't happened yet and won't happen this time either. It is high time we thought about somebody besides ourselves, and started looking out for each other, as Americans. This government of ours sure as hell won't look out for us. John McCain is an old has been who needs to give it up...he is annoying as hell, as he kisses the ass of those who run the Republican Party. What an annoying old man he has become...
Mary at 6:39PM on Jan 24th 2007
144. To the person who said, "Raising the minimum wage will cost a lot of people jobs," all I can say is EVEN IF the minimum wage were raised to $15 an hour, a person working 40 hours a week in this country...
WOULD STILL BE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.
No President in the history of our nation has failed to raise taxes during a time of war, but, our current genius-in-charge, Ernest T. Bass, has slashed them for the folks who can most afford to pay.
He claimed our "bustling" economy has created some 7 million new jobs in the past six years.
Of course, he didn't say ANY OF THOSE JOBS WERE ACTUALLY ON AMERICAN SOIL.
To John McCain: In the words of that great American, Pvt. First Class Gomer Pyle,
"For shame, for shame, for shame!"
Reese Thompson at 7:47PM on Jan 24th 2007
145. Does anybody,persoanaly, know any legal,English speaking, individual working for a minimum wage?There isn't any where I live.A lot of youngsters will be without jobs.
Alex at 7:08PM on Jan 24th 2007
146. John McMcain should be ashamed of himself. I'll bet he didn't vote against his own congressional pay raise!
A. Sellers at 12:39AM on Jan 25th 2007
147. My father owned a small business and always payed his employees well over the minumum wage. He was rewarded with employees that stuck with him and he didnt'have high turnover.
If you are a cheapskate business owner and can't afford two dollar an hour more, you should take a few business lessons.
Retraining new workers due to high turnover is much more expensive than retaining knowledgeable employees.
A. Sellers at 12:38AM on Jan 25th 2007
148. No increase in minimum wage, but we can give $770 Million to Lebanon.
Christopher Rivera at 9:13PM on Jan 24th 2007
149. Two years ago, I thought he was the man to bring the Republicans in step with the majority of Americans. Since that time, he has been spouting the same non-positional bullshit stance(s) that plauges(sp)the typical politician today.
larry edwards at 9:36PM on Jan 24th 2007
150. It truly amazes me that some people can't see beyond their own pockets! They fail to realize that by raising the minimum wage will cause a chain reaction that will cause a lot of unskilled workers to loose their jobs and will lead to more jobs being sent overseas. Not to mention the price increases that will take place. Most people that want to raise the minimum wage are just looking for another handout from the government when they should be looking at ways to better themselves to be worth a higher rate of pay in the workplace.
Robert at 9:54PM on Jan 24th 2007