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Minimum wage question was a voting ploy

If the Democrats are the party of the people, looking out for the common man, and they believe that the minimum wage should be raised, then why haven't they raised it already? They control the House, the Senate, and the governorship. They could have passed this months ago. They make it sound like the Republicans are keeping it from happening.

Why did Democrats do nothing on this when there was a good chance they might not have the majority they held? The obvious reason is that they were just trying to get more of their voters to vote, having them think that by voting it might make a difference. But since it doesn't, it shows that they think people who will vote for the minimum wage really don't know what's going on. Actually, by waiting on this, they are showing that they don't really care about the minimum wage. They were just looking for something to try to make Republicans look bad.

There is also the possibility that in their hearts the Democrats know that raising the minimum wage will not really help anybody in the long run, as it will force price increases in all retail food stores and restaurants. That extra buying power will disappear very soon after the minimum wage takes effect. Maybe by having voters overwhelmingly favor the change, lawmakers can pass it and then blame the public when they see the unintended consequences of their action. Of course, they might just pass it in the lame duck session after they have used up the issue, or maybe just to spite the Republicans.

Larry Craig

Wilmette

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