Why aren't people more outraged by the fact that we are doing nothing to keep the heat on in America's poorest homes? I really don't care about the Miers nomination when you compare it to poverty and a lack of minimum wage. People need to be more upset that we don't have a Livable Wage Law. Why can't we get someone on the news everynight saying, "The cost of living increased by X dollars a day today, bringing the total to X thousand dollars a week since the last minimum wage increase."
Why doesn't that stir people up? Why don't the Democrats try running on a platform like that this mid-term? They'd win with this: "The Republicans are costing you money. The cost of living has gone up. A dollar buys a nickel's worth. Shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter. We'll raise the minimum wage and give you free healthcare." (Sorry. I really like Network.) Instead, they'll go with this: "Hey, vote for us, we're not George Bush! Please... Maybe?"
Not only do the democrats need to do it because it's a winning strategy, it's the right thing to do. And I know alot of Republicans seem to think raising the minimum wage would strain the economy, I say, "Bullshit." You give people who need more money more money and what do they do? Spend it. Instantly. You're reinserting that money right back into the economy. Poverty stricken people can't afford savings accounts. They'll blow every extra dollar at the local big-box superstore.
If you work 40 hours a week doing ANYTHING you deserve to be able to support your family of four. We need to make that a reality. Get pissed off about this. Forget about Harriet Miers and Staged News Conferences. We need to get mad about this goddamnit. This means something.
"We are healthy to the extent that our ideas are humane." --Kilgore Trout
UPDATE: I'm not saying I'm not pissed off about Harriet Miers. I'm just saying we need to shine as bright a light on stuff like minimum wage and poverty. Don't forget about her (yes, I know I said to forget about her) but raise the level of debate to issues like these and keep them in the forefront. Guys like Bush will never win on these issues.
But yes, the idea of Harriet Miers on the Supreme Court does scare the bejesus out of me.
But yes, the idea of Harriet Miers on the Supreme Court does scare the bejesus out of me.
1 comment:
Maybe you'd get a bit more upset with the Miers nomination if you stopped to think of how she could rule unconstitutional any attempt to implement a national living wage or help dismantle anti-poverty programs.
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