Bush, Republicans Remain Disingenuous On Raising Minimum Wage

[JABBS]

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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.

[rollopollo]

1. I say we do it

It matters what we want. If we want to pick a fight that we know we're going to lose because any bill needs 60 senators and Bush's signature, fine. But I'd prefer half a loaf to starving. The min wage is near its lowest rate in real terms- its a shame. Lower taxes on small businesses- not high on my priority list, but if that's the cost...I'd say its more than worth it.

As the minority, we had to fight the good fight and lose. As the majority, there's an opportunity to make things right again, but only to the extent that we're pragmatic.

[JABBS]

2. I wonder if there aren't 60 votes available in the Senate

The game has changed. There are several Republicans who don't want to be on the wrong side of a popular issue. They have to work with the Dems now.

[bookman]

3. Devil in the details

What is their definition of "small business"?

[JABBS]

5. that's the thing

you and I think of a mom-and-pop shop with a handful of employees. but you watch, "small business" will probably include places with up to say, 200 employees, or include affiliates of larger businesses (like real estate agencies that are part of multi-billion companies.)

long-short is that one thing does not need to be tied to the other, and shouldn't. if bush wants to play games, fine, but the Democrats should fast-track their bill and make Ebenezer Scrooge sweat out whether he wants to be a "compassionate conservative" or not.

[Hubert Flottz]

4. The democrats can use the repub trick now when they want stuff.

Like those quickie midnight sessions where they sneak the stuff through repub style and tell the other side to sit down and shut up.