Mark Kennedy attacks Dems for blocking the minimum wage bill.

This is a crazy world we live in. The Republican controlled congress actually presented a bill that seemed- on the surface to favor the working poor. Then, they filled the bill with obstructionist legistlation, knowing that noone who truly cares about the plight of the working poor and their families would let such a bill stand.

The proposal was to raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to 7.25 per hour. Not a bad deal- doesn't go far enough but it would have been a great start. This is a bill that every Democratic congressperson and Senator woul dhave fully supported.

But, the devil was in the details. Details that are at the heart of the real intent of this Republican legistlation. First, the bill included a provision that would have eliminated overtime pay for hours over 40. This pay at 1.5 times the rate of pay for hours over 40 would be gone. While the R's claim that there is still a net gain for minimum wage employees (5.15 x 40 hrs -$206.00- + say 20 overtime hours at 1.5 x $5.15 $7.73 x20 = 154.60 / $154.60 + $206.00 = $360.60) Compare that to the same 60 hours at $7.25 per hour $435.00.

But that is a false argument. If a person makes as little as $7.50 per hour, their time and one half at $11.25 would be gone. Their pay for a 60 hour work week would drop from $525.00 to $450.00, a weekly employer savings of $75. That was the real intent of the bill.

The other poison pill added to this legistlation was a clause that would soften safety standards- some are calling this a return to sweatshops. While that might be a slight overstatement, the point cannot be missed. In the guise of AN INCREASE TO MINIMUM WAGE the Republicans in congress have attempted to make life much easier for business.

The FAMILY VALUES candidates have attempted to use their power to devalue human work, dismantle the 40 hour work week and soften the standards established through years of employer/employee negotiation (unions).

These baffoons have been in the majority and have controlled the white house for almost six years. Mark Kennedy has been in his place in congress for that same period. If they truly wanted to increase minimum wage- they could get it done. That has never been on their agenda.

Mark is proud to tell us that he is an accountant- therefore, he must have known full well what he was doing, and what he was intending to do. He says it would be good to have an accountant in the senate. Maybe, but give me an accountant with a heart please.

Mark Kennedy's campaign slogan is "It's time for a Change in Washington" and on that he and I agree.