DUDE, WHERE'S OUR RAISE?

This just in from the Globalize This! Capitol Hill Desk:

Republicans have just defeated Democrat's attempt to restore the real value of the minimum wage on a party-line vote in the House: 223 Rs against to 191 Ds for.

The last raise for those working at the minimum wage came way back in 1997, when the federal minimum rate got bumped up to a whopping $5.15/hr. Since September 1997, the minimum wage has fallen by some 17 percent in real terms to $4.28. Congressional Democrats proposed raising the rate in three steps to $7.25 over two years. (If the minimum wage had kept pace with inflation since the late 1960s, it would stand above $8 today).

The minimum wage ain't just about teenagers working after school at McDonalds. Adults make up the vast majority of workers who would benefit from restoring the real value of the minimum wage, almost half of whom work full time. Working single mothers would disproportionately benefit. More on the benefits of a minimum wage increase here.

But even the minimum wage is not enough. What people really need is a living wage.

Thanks to IW, a.k.a. Posh Spice, for the tip.