Labor & Employment Law

Republicans Out of Step: New Survey Finds Two-Thirds say Raise the Minimum Wage

By Mike Hall

Recently, a host of major Republican candidates have attacked the federal minimum wage while GOP party leaders have been silent about the assault. From Alaska to Connecticut and in congressional races in-between, Republican Senate candidates have called the minimum wage unconstitutional, too much, or just plain unneeded.

Maybe that?s the mainstream view on their native planets, but down here in the good old USA it is far out of step. A new poll from the Public Religion Research Institute finds two-thirds of us say that $7.25 an hour minimum wage should not be abolished but should be raised to $10 an hour with automatic cost of living increases. Are you listening Joe Miller, John Raese and cronies?

Christine Owens, executive director of the National Employment Law Project (NELP) says the poll is

yet another affirmation that maintaining a strong minimum wage is a core American value. Americans overwhelmingly support a minimum wage rate that will help working families make ends meet and provide the boost the economy needs for full recovery.

Even a majority of Republicans?51 percent?support raising minimum wage. Also, 47 percent of the responders who identified themselves as Tea Party members favor the higher minimum wage while 50 percent oppose raising the wage.

Just where does the Republican party stand on the minimum wage? Well, the party is funneling tons of campaign cash to candidates who want to abolish or lower the minimum wage. Republicans spent better part of a decade fighting every effort to raise the minimum wage until Democrats gained control of both houses of Congress and passed a wage increase in 2007.

Then there is Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele?s stubborn refusal to answer a “Yes” or “No” question?Does the Republican Party believe the minimum wage is unconstitutional, should be abolished or reduced? Silence is telling, very telling.

The poll asked 3,000 people a range of questions on the economy and social issues.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on October 07, 2010 (boomark / email).