Bush, Republicans Remain Disingenuous On Raising Minimum Wage

[JABBS]

Click here to read the whole story.

<snip>

President Bush and Congressional Republicans continue to disingenuously discuss hiking the minimum wage.

The headlines today are misleading. "Bush Supports Democrats' Minimum Wage Hike Plan," reads the Washington Post. But in truth, Bush only will support such a hike -- from $5.15/hour to $7.25/hour -- if it comes with a corresponding tax break for small businesses.

It's not much different that the effort from Congressional conservatives this summer to tie a hike in the minimum wage with deep cuts in the estate tax.

Democrats should reject the conservative spin. Once they control Congress, they should "fast track" a hike in the minimum wage. The legislation should pass quickly. Then let President Bush look like Ebenezer Scrooge as he decides whether to be a "compassionate conservative" just once in his presidency.

[hughee99]

1. While I don't think the two should be necessarily linked...

I do not have an issue with the government offering corresponding tax breaks for small businesses to help offset this new expense and keep costs down. While their method may not be much different from their attempt to link the minimum wage to the estate tax, the target audience is much different. People who inherit estates are not affected by an increase in the minimum wage, people who run small businesses are.

[JABBS]

2. check the linked story

a report from earlier this year essentially showed that raising the minimum wage doesn't hurt small businesses or overall job growth.

but regardless, why does the GOP always have to have an if/then clause to raising the minimum wage? If they support a wage increase, then they should pass it. It shouldn't be that the only way they care about lower-income families is if the rich get a break, too.

[hughee99]

3. I read the linked story, and it's linked report as well...

and I agree that raising the minimum wage should not be contingent upon the small business tax credit, but if the do pass one, I don't have an issue with passing the other. I do not see giving small business a small tax break as giving "the rich" a tax break.

[JABBS]

5. how about this

pass the minimum wage first, and then in a separate bill, the Democrats can entertain the idea of another tax break for small businesses?

[hughee99]

6. I'm all for that...

Personally, I think the minimum wage is far more important to pass, with or without any tax cuts for small businesses, I just wouldn't opposed giving a modest tax break to small businesses as a result. Nor would I be opposed to the break being phased out eventually.

[sutz12]

4. Screw them.....they had their chance.

Put up a simple one item bill. Minimum wage increase, vote up or down. Make all of the repubs go back to their districts and tell them why they voted the way they did. Compare and contrast with the increases they approved for themselves over the last 10 years.

Make Shrub veto it, and listen to his numbers hit bottom. Let's see him put a good "Christian, moral" spin on why the minimum wage should be below the poverty line.

This should be on Bush's desk before the end of January, and take effect before the end of 2007, if not immediately upon signing.

[JABBS]

7. i agree

and that's what pelosi has said she plans to do.