So, I'm watching the great documentary on Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamil, and I was awestruck by...

[Yavin4]

this. Breslin wrote a column about the man who had the honor to dig President John Kennedy's grave. The grave digger made $3.10 an hour in 1963.

Today, the federal min. wage is $7.25 an hour, an increase of $4.15 over a period of half of a century+.

This is the effect of making elections about race, abortion, guns, etc. Everything except making sure that labor equally participates in the economy.

[flor-de-jasmim]

1. Disheartening...but for accuracy, the min. wage in 1963 was about $1.25.

[Yavin4]

3. Okay. So, it's gone up a whopping $6 over a half century plus.

Unreal.

[mr_lebowski]

6. The fact that it's 6x more is probably the more pertinent fact TBH ... still ridiculously low though

Considering the cost of everything has gone up by about 10X since then, at least.

[Yavin4]

7. And when you break out life essentials like housing, healthcare, and education....

those have gone up a ridiculous amount probably much more than 10x.

[Dennis Donovan]

2. Thank you for reminding me!

I love Pete and Jimmy and I intend to watch this ASAP!

[lame54]

4. $3.10 in 1963?...

1983 i earned $3.35
25 cent rise in 20 years

[Paladin]

5. Outstanding documentary. Everybody watch it, if you get the chance. (nt)