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 6 of 11)
76. It is a great crime that the great United States of America has a minimum wage that is so low. It clearly demonstrates how much we think of the working men and women of our society.
It simply irritates me that people who have no idea what it is like to make $5.15 an hour will decide and determine that the wage should not be raised.
Senator McCain is not in touch with the real world and real people and is bowing to political interests. My respect for him is greatly diminished. Do what is right not what is politically correct for your personal ambitions.
J. Young at 5:06PM on Jan 24th 2007
77. Appendage to previous comment:
Correction people. On the prvious comment I wrote " Almost every EMPLOYEE ALREADY pays over minimum wage anyway." I meant to type " almost every EMPLOYER ALREADY pays over minimum wage anyway. Also wanted to inform you that ONLY 4% of the work force is ACTUALLY ONLY paid the minimum wage but ALL Americans will PAY for these 4% by paying much higher prices for PRODUCTS. Employers ALWAYS "pass on" wage increases to the general public by SIMPLY raising the cost of the goods and services so that Minimum wage increases HURT Americans rather than HELPING them. Again, I WON'T be returning here to view the MORONIC and Uneducated arguments against the FACTS that I have posted here.
code at 4:23PM on Jan 24th 2007
78. McCain won reclaim as a soldier. I like to remember him that way, even though the Vietnam war was a futile and unnnecessary as the one in which he wants to give the misguided Bush policies another chance.
How many families at home and in Iraq are going to continue to suffer?
Paul Weeks at 4:28PM on Jan 24th 2007
79. Jan 24, 2007
I once thought McCain would be a good president. But after watching him, I find him a big, gutless whimp. If he was eve eleccted , He would be worse than George Bush. Maybe this min wage action will finish him sooner than later.
Merrill Johnson at 4:36PM on Jan 24th 2007
80. Well at least he stands up for whats right. For those who say that it will not raise prices are just plain stupid. It will bring up the fixed costs when figuring the cost of an item. Which in turn will bring up the cost of the item on every level of the supply chain. Then it will cost you more to buy the item.
Deano at 4:28PM on Jan 24th 2007
81. John McCain was a POW and a hero in my book.
One does not run for President on just that issue.
I hope he gets the nomination so that I can vote against him.
I bet he didn't think twice about giving himself a raise.
Ruth at 4:28PM on Jan 24th 2007
82. Sad. This is the same politician who less than 8 months ago worked to keep the filibuster from being used, declaring it should only be used in most extreme cases. Sam Alito wasn't extreme enough, but preventing minumum wage is. Is supported McCain and he would have had my vote in 2000. After his visits with Jerry Falwell, continued support of Bush's war plan, and now this, I've lost respect for him. Larry
Larry at 4:28PM on Jan 24th 2007
83. It is scary to see how many people are so terribly mis-guided when it comes to the issue of the minimum wage. While it is true that you cannot support a family on a minimum wage job, you are not supposed to. Raising the minimum wage increases costs for small businesses that cannot afford it. This will in-turn cut jobs available. Young people trying to go to school and work part-time will not have the jobs available to do so. Business owners will reduce the number of jobs that pay minimum wage and expect salaried managers to take on more to pick up the slack. Thank you Mr. McCain for saving me money at the register and for saving jobs across America!!!
tODD at 4:29PM on Jan 24th 2007
84. I'm a registered independent and look for moderate candidates to vote for. Honestly, Rudy Giuliani is the best option running for president. He is very moderate, yet economically sensible and socially compassionate. (FYI hes supports minimum wage increase) While he's a registered republican he has supported democratic candidates in RI and elsewhere when he feels they are the best person for the job. Someone who is not afraid to vote for the best person (or lesser of the two evils) regardless of political affiliation is honorable in my eyes. Also, I was in NYC during the whole 9/11 crises and he was an amazing leader during a really tough period. He showed true ledership skills. While Bush and Cheeney were hiding he was standing out in the middle of the action and helping. I suggest giving Rudy a serious look, regardless of your political affiliaton.
Dave at 4:32PM on Jan 24th 2007
85. I am sorry people, however in no way possible will an increase in the minimum wage adverseley affect the rate of inflation. There is not one major compnay in this country that can not afford the wage increase. Most of the major reatailers pay their employees over the proposed minimum wage increase to begin with.
The only argument here is the big unknown of small business sector. However they have already experienced the financial equivalent of a minimum wage increase..... Gas Prices. Either gas prices directly or gas prices indirectly in the form of increased materials costs. The small business community has somehow managed to thrive over the last few years, while it only gets harder for the people at the bottom.
So spare your republican spin, only the most ardent brethren amoung you believe it anymore.
Sid Icarus at 4:30PM on Jan 24th 2007
86. Hell why don't we raise it to $50 an hour while we are at it!
Deano at 4:39PM on Jan 24th 2007
87. I would not put my seal of approval on any of them Republican or democrat, I am down on federal govenment, State and Local also, they can spend billions of dollars to build up Iraq but the people of the United States have nothing but a hard way, but what can you do? People are still busting the doors down to get in.
Bobby L. Edmiston at 4:40PM on Jan 24th 2007
88. The ruse that jobs will be lost if wages go up is overplayed and has been since day one. John McCain has also lost my vote...if indeed, he ever had it. I am ready to see what the new power base does in Congress. I am seeing, so far, it doesn't matter who is there...they take care of themselves.
Jack at 8:13PM on Jan 24th 2007
89. Your comments are pretty funny to read. The votes are not done without much thought. There has got to be another plan which I'm sure McCain would vote for. Just because you vote one bill down doesn't mean you vote the whole idea...duh.
Also, McCain has gone against many Bush/Republican idea's so nice try on that one but it holds no weight.
Lastly, someone mentioned that the minimum wage bill could cost people jobs...there's truth to that. Most of America is made up of small business owners. Do you really think they'll pay the higher wage to cut into their own profits? Or do you think they'll just cut one or two employees to make up for the higher wages with the rest?
Most small business owners ARE AGAINST higher wages. So do your homework before you spew your baseless negativity on here.
And for Gods Sake...open your damn minds a bit, it would do you some good.
Sher at 5:16PM on Jan 24th 2007
90. Here is a thought for everyone that supports a min. wage increase. While we are all in favor of those Americans on the lower end of the economic scale being able to keep pace with rising costs and to make a decent living.
However this is a 2 edged sword, by raing the minimum wage you also increase the gap between wages in the USA and those in Mexico which will increase the number of illegals coming over the boarder. That will further stretch our health care and education systems for non tax paying individuals. Those employers that can't afford the increase in wages will cut jobs or hire illegals.
Take your pick. Remember the Dems are against any type of imigration enforcement and all for giving illegals Driver's Licenses while at the same time pushing the Motor/Voter program to have people be able to register at the local DMV using only your Driver's License as ID to register. And God forbid that a poll worker be allowed to ask someone trying to vote for ID.
Considering that most low wage workers (legal & illegal) tend to favor the party that gives the most Gov't handouts. Their motives for an increase in the minimum wage has less to do with their caring for those less fortunate and more to do with trying to increase their political base.
JC
JC at 4:34PM on Jan 24th 2007