Time to support a minimum wage increase

Written by: Evan Tribley on Jul 12, 2006 1:31 PM EDT

Members of the United States Congress will be enjoying a nice pay raise come next term while Americans most in need will be left to suffer yet another year. For the ninth time in a row, the Republicans have blocked an increase to the minimum wage all while passing pay increases for themselves. It is time to send leaders to Washington who have common sense.

Republicans will argue that raising the minimum wage is bad for business and hurts the economy. They will also argue that cutting taxes is good for the economy because it puts more money in people's pockets--more money to spend. So which is it? Is putting money in people's pockets good for the economy or bad for the economy? You can't have it both ways--if it's good for the economy to cut taxes then it's good for the economy to raise the minimum wage. Either way you look at it, it's more money in people's pockets.

Still, those tax cuts are predominantly going to the wealthier people of America who will spend regardless. In other words, there isn't a whole lot more money in the pockets of most Americans. And what do they think raising the minimum wage will do for Americans who are strapped for cash? Well, I'll tell them, unlike the tax cuts that benefit those who don't even need it, it puts more money into more people's pockets--which is good for the economy.

Contrary to what they lead Americans to believe, states with higher minimum wages have consistently created more jobs. As Lou Dobbs recently wrote on CNN.com "The myth that raising the minimum wage will lead to job cuts is just that: a myth. In fact, research suggests just the opposite. According to the Fiscal Policy Institute, since 1998, states with higher minimum wages experienced better job growth than states paying only the federal minimum wage. Among small retail businesses in those higher minimum-wage states, job growth was double the rest of the country."

The GOP argument is bogus. There are many more reasons to raise the minimum wage than just the economy. Quite frankly, this is America and people deserve the opportunity to make enough money to survive. The current minimum wage provides nothing of the sort, leaving poor families even poorer and thousands short of the poverty line. With increases in gas by over 100% percent in just the past few years, families living on minimum wage will soon be unable to even afford to get to work.

It is time for a change of leadership in Columbus and Washington D.C. The Republicans are the roadblock to better wages for Americans. It is time to reopen the roadway to opportunity for all Americans, not just the ones who have enough money to influence politicians. If elected to Congress I will join a new Democratic Majority that will quickly push for minimum wage increases. There is only one candidate in the 4th District race that will really fight for families by providing better wages and he is not from Urbana.

Please help support my campaign for honest leadership in Ohio's 4th District by volunteering, sending in a contribution, and spreading the word about my Campaign. Please visit my website for more information.

Rick Siferd,

Democratic Candidate for Ohio's 4th Congressional District

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Location: Lima, OH 45805