N.C. waitress applauds minimum wage hike (Dem Radio address)

[rodeodance]

Source: ap





N.C. waitress applauds minimum wage hike

48 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - A North Carolina waitress on Saturday lauded the Democratic-initiated increase in the minimum wage, saying in the party's weekly radio address that the extra money will have a ripple effect on millions of lives.


Fawn Townsend, a nightshift server in Raleigh, N.C., criticized Republicans for blocking efforts to raise the minimum wage over the last 10 years. The Democratic-led Congress approved the increase earlier this year and President Bush signed it into law in May.

"Millions of Americans now have a little more in their paychecks to help pay for basic necessities like food and clothing. And now more Americans can save to build a better future for themselves and their families," Townsend said.
.........

Townsend criticized Bush for threatening to veto a bill that would provide more money for the Children's Health Insurance Program. The Senate has voted to add 3 million lower-income children to the plan at a cost of $35 billion, and the House has approved a more ambitious and expensive version. Bush has proposed spending just $5 billion more on the program.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070818/ap_on_go_co/democrats_minimum_wage;_ylt=AlXKLY1tfl1LsVqaVB79CdA8KbIF

[TomClash]

1. A working class woman giving the Dem radio address?

And not some professional/business class type?

I love it.

[rucognizant]

2. High time!

Do I detect Howard Dean's touch here?:bounce:

[maseman]

3. I work in radio

and have NEVER heard a Democratic radio address on the radio. Where do they broadcast? When? Am I missing something here? Has anyone ever actually heard one of these broadcasts besides recaps on cable news?

[LiberalFighter]

8. It follows Bush's radio address on Saturdays usually around noon

[msongs]

4. listened to her on KNX in LA this morning. plain spoken & direct. wonder if she wrote it? nt

[Laughing Mirror]

5. slave wages, and barely that, minimum wage

It is impossible to save anything on minimum wage, let alone pay for the basics. Sorry, no way "to build a better future."

[Rosemary2205]

6. This waitress likely will never see a penny of the increase.

The min wage used to not apply to tipped or part time employees. Did they change that?

[LiberalFighter]

9. Not that I have heard

[dsc]

10. It does apply just at a lower level

[peacebuzzard]

11. I hope there is a provision for the tipped fast food server

in all of the right to work (right to fire) states where there has been a general blockade against unions.

But, under the microscope, w/ increase in minimum wage more of the working poor may be able to afford to eat out more often. Thus, leading to more customers, more tips?

[Solar_Power]

12. min. wage does not apply to waitresses

and other "tip-based" employees

[CreekDog]

13. minimum wage does apply to tipped employees

though by federal law it is lower than minimum wage, it increases as minimum wage increases. Also in states like California, the minimum wage is the same for both tipped and non tipped employees.

[OzarkDem]

7. Thanks, can we talk about universal health care now?

Thx on minimum wage Dem leades, but lets move on to the next thing you promised to develop a plan for - universal access to affordable health care. K Thx.