Minimum Wage Battle in Congress, and a Dumb New Jersey Law
July 17th, 2006 by Brendan SteinhauserÂÂ
Ann McFeatters has a column in today’s Washington Times about the minimum wage and congressional pay raises.
She writes, “The argument against [the minimum wage] is that employers will curtail hiring low-income workers. President Bush argues tax cuts are a better way to raise all boats.”
I happen to agree with the arguments against the minimum wage.
But the more interesting thing is this comment by New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez. “The same Republicans who believe it’s fair for an oil executive to make $84 million in one year believe it’s a sin to pay $7.25 an hour to the gas-station attendant who pumps that gas.”
Can someone explain to me why, exactly, it is against the law to pump your own gas in New Jersey? This just might be the most ridiculous law in a state filled with ridiculous lawmakers.
Why not pay gas attendants $20 or even $50 an hour? Then the teenagers who work at these gas stations can afford HBO On Demand and that iPod Nano that they’ve always wanted.
In the words of John Stossel, “Give me a Break!”
August 3rd, 2006 at 8:30 am
I keep hearing the retoric about how raising the min wage will hurt the average bussiness etc, i beleieve first of all like everything else the increase will be passed along to consumers, the min wage earner today can’t realistically live on the increase requested not alone what it is now, let the one’s who decide on this matter try existing on this wage and also i heard that most of these jobs are for tempy or part time work, well unfortunately not everyone out in society has a degree etc, and i believe raising the
rate to $7.25 or what ever is still impossable to live on!!
Thank You
Otto Staszko