2/26 Biden Promotes War in Syria, Chooses Legislation that Favors Wall Street Donors Over Raising the Fed Min Wage in a 5 year Period; Open Thread (updated with Bernie’s comment about Syria)
A $15 minimum wage would cost employers. Inequality costs all of us
n the 1960s, the federal government marshaled its resources to fight a “War on Poverty.” More recently, however, we’ve been fighting what amounts to a “War on the Poor” — a sustained campaign of denial and neglect that we can begin to end by raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
The current figure of $7.25 — unchanged since 2009 — is so absurdly low that the country effectively has no federal minimum wage at all. As of May 1, when Virginia’s minimum wage rises, 29 states will mandate higher wage floors. Assuming a 40-hour workweek, a $7.25-per-hour rate adds up to $290 before taxes. Try stretching that to cover a week’s worth of food, housing, clothing and transportation for an individual, let alone a family. It can’t be done.
Nor is it realistic to expect workers to survive, much less thrive, on $10 an hour, as Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) proposes, or $11 an hour, which Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) would prefer. The richest country on Earth can surely afford to accept the following proposition: Anyone who works a full-time job should be able to afford at least a working-class life. At less than $15 an hour, that simply is not possible.
Republicans cite the principle of federalism in arguing that states and cities should be able to set their own minimum wage levels according to local conditions. Indeed, many states do impose higher minimum wages, and some cities, such as Seattle and D.C., are on a path to $15. But five states — Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi and Louisiana — have no minimum wage at all, meaning employers are bound only by the $7.25 federal standard. And Wyoming and Georgia bizarrely set their minimum wage at just $5.15; again, the federal rule applies to jobs covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Federal policy recognizes that the current minimum wage is not a living wage. We help low-wage workers survive with tax credits, food assistance, subsidized housing and other sorely needed programs. But why the reluctance to require employers to compensate an honest day’s work with an honest day’s pay?
Other important principles once championed by the Republican Party are being undermined by this hesitance: Self-reliance. Self-respect. The idea of work as its own reward. The notion of idleness as damaging to self and to society.
Setting a nationwide floor of $15 an hour would require many employers to fine-tune their business plans. The cost of a Big Mac might marginally rise.
Yes, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 1.4 million workers could lose their jobs, although many other economists argue that the impact on employment would be marginal or nonexistent. The CBO also estimates that the net impact would be to lift 900,000 Americans out of poverty.
Look beyond the fact that the federal poverty level — a family of four making a penny more than $26,500 annually is not considered poor — should really be called the federal penury level. And leave aside that a full-time, minimum-wage job would earn only $15,080 per year. Consider instead how seldom we even talk about poverty today, as though the poor have magically become invisible or ceased to exist.
Activists are trying to get us to pay attention. The Rev. William J. Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, has been holding virtual and socially distanced events across the country — including in Manchin’s home state — to argue that a $15 minimum wage is a vital component of any effective covid-19 relief package. “The truth of the matter is it will lift millions of people out of low wages and poverty,” he says, taking a more realistic view of where the poverty line should be drawn than the federal government does.
President Biden included the $15 wage in his proposed relief legislation. But because the Senate parliamentarian has ruled that the boost cannot be approved through the arcane “reconciliation” process requiring only 51 votes, Democrats would have to pursue it independently.
But I fail to see the political downside of supporting the measure for any Democrats — or even for the few reasonable Republicans left in the Senate. Raising the minimum wage is a popular idea; a Vox poll this week showed that 62 percent of voters support the relief bill’s plan for a gradual increase to $15 by 2025. Some of the nation’s biggest employers have already made the move: Costco this week announced that it would raise its starting hourly wage to $16, outflanking major corporate rivals. Small-business owners would have four years to adjust and adapt.
And the moral calculus could not be clearer. A $15 minimum wage would cost employers. Growing inequality costs all of us even more.
Instead of having the VP overrule the Parliamentarian, or even fire her as Bush/GOP did in 2001 when the Parliamentarian Would Not Rule in Favor of Tax cuts, Biden Administration decides to cut the life line to workers in retail, home health care, and fast food. Yes, he can spend more money on useless COBRA, which doesn’t guarantee good health care to anyone. It’s just catastrophic insurance. People still will continue to go to emergency rooms. In 2020, health insurance profits continued to soar in the pandemic.
Using the parting gift that McConnell left on Biden’s doorstep, $750B funded military, Syria draws the lucky number of hearing the echos of John McCain: Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran.
Biden administration conducts strike on Iranian-linked fighters in Syria
The Biden administration conducted an airstrike in Syria on Thursday that officials believe killed a number of alleged Iranian-linked fighters, signaling its intent to use targeted military action to push back against violence tied to Tehran.
The attack on a border-crossing station in eastern Syria, the first lethal operation ordered by the Biden administration against Iran’s network of armed proxies, was “authorized in response to recent attacks against American and coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
The facilities were used by Iranian-linked Iraqi militias, including Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, he said.
There’s always enough time and money to bomb countries and never enough time to run people life saving checks and medicine.
— People for Bernie (@People4Bernie) February 26, 2021
I am very concerned by last night’s strike by U.S. forces in Syria. The president has the responsibility to keep Americans safe, but for too long administrations of both parties have interpreted their authorities in an extremely expansive way to continue war. This must end. pic.twitter.com/AnU2On6QC1
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 26, 2021
Biden administration looking at their options like… pic.twitter.com/erbgVv0LPt
— RootsAction (@Roots_Action) February 26, 2021
Bernie Sanders has no reason to support the OMB nominee. He should vote his conscience.
More news, tweets, videos in the comments.
No tips for Biden Administration…
The first article I posted was written by an Establishment Op-Ed author, Eugene Robinson, fyi.
maybe his old, more progressive roots are trying to sprout again. here’s hoping. it seems like all of them basically say that if you’re not working 40 hours, too bad, which is a shame. another way to divide and keep a huge part of the population down, especially women, the sick and the elderly.
but hurrah for the workers, if this would only go through.
U.S. Billionaires’ Pandemic Profits Could Fund $3.9K Stimulus Checks—Obama-era Economist
BILLIONAIRES!!! What are they good for??? Absolutely nothing.
Exactly what I had in mind, Benny with my comment above. Thanks.
Totally agree, but that will be a cold day in h3ll. 🙁
Some Democrats want to fire the Senate parliamentarian who scuttled $15 minimum-wage plans. It’s been done once before.
Ilhan Omar is paying attention.
As much as we may not like the parliamentarian’s ruling, the ultimate problem is the 60 vote filibuster. There is absolutely no reason that some stuff can get through at 50 while other stuff needs 60. The rules are stupid and arbitrary.
https://twitter.com/davidsirota/status/1365314442896941056?s=19
Bernie pointed out in the last week or so that the parliamentarian approved Trump’s Tax Cuts.
Yesterday, the Media mentioned that the parliamentarian’s words are merely suggestions/opinions with no actual prohibitive values.
The parliamentarian’s words are neither the hammer nor the sword.
Democrats are acting like the parliaments words mean something they don’t. You cannot interpret this as anything other than complicity.
We are in Alice in Wonderland territory here, folks. “Words mean just what I want them to mean,” says Alice. “No more and no less.”
But in this case, no one is willing to overrule, so unfortunately, the ruling will stay unless she is fired.
The GOP fired a parliamentarian.
So can we.
They won’t. Call me a CT, but I think she was pressured to rule this way.
Most of the Democrats are wealthy frauds. How many are up for re-election next year?
I could do the research but for now am just musing aloud but am Curious what the financial disclosure rules are for the position and who, if anyone actually is making sure these unelected but all powerful individuals in this or similar positions are accountable to something so their personal opinions do not overrule actual good faith judgements. At least Supreme court justices have confirmation hearingss.
Seems they might as well make Neera parliamentarian.
Allegedly, this one was appointed by Harry Reid.
And could be dismissed or reassigned by Chuck Schumer.
There you go! Thanks, LD
by the Biden admin.
My thought as well. She was pressured by the ptb.
I can guarantee this much if it was the R’s parliamentarian that said no they would over rule it and fire the parliamentarian and ram the bill thru. The D’s have no spine to do the job no matter what it takes. The neolibs are all talk no action when the going gets tough
The parliamentarian is doing what the neolib dems want her to do. She’s giving the cover.
Eviction Moratorium Deemed Unconstitutional by Federal Judge in Texas
tbh, you have to help the landlords, too. our problem is we can’t see our way to helping our own people, unless they work for Raytheon, et al.
unless it’s hurting people. blink of an eye–wonder how much mortgage and rent those bombs on Syria could have paid for?
thanks for some of the reasoning, here.
Bernie Sanders Won’t Give Up on $15 Minimum Wage, ‘We Are Going To Deal With This’
Wyden is on board with Bernie’s proposal.
https://www.businessinsider.com/sanders-democrats-devise-backdoor-plan-raise-wages-15-an-hour-2021-2
It will get voted down. While it’s nice to see support, we already know how that vote will go.
Not sure about that. Manchin and Sinema will lose some of their “arguments” they used against $15. It’s definitely budget related and it will not “hurt” small businesses. Most big corporations are doing just fine in the Pandemic. Biden who claims to be for the $15 should support it. If not, everyone would see his $15 support is a lie.
Given that he is not going to try to overrule the parliamentarian, at a minimum, he needs to get behind Bernie’s proposal, which is supported by other Senate Dems. The $15 minimum is not going to pass as a stand alone bill subject to the filibuster.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-wage/biden-weighs-path-forward-for-15-minimum-wage-after-senate-roadblock-idUSKBN2AQ1UY?rpc=401&&utm_source=reddit.com
Biden is lying. period. He already told mayors and business leaders it would not make it in the bill. I think his office pressured the parliamentarian to rule this way.
There was always a good chance it wouldn’t make it into the bill. The reconciliation rules are stupid and arbitrary. I agree that he is glad it didn’t make it into the bill because it actually makes passage of the bill easier. No idea about pressure on the parliamentarian or why she would be susceptible to it. Biden is a problem but an even greater problem is the 50/50 Senate with senators like Manchin and Sinema on our side.
Schumer could fire or reassign her. And should.
Biden is the problem. Manchin and Sinema are his excuse. Does he give one shit about the workers in AL who are being trammpled by Bezos with the most disgusting tactics? I haven’t heard a word and don’t expect to.
i imagine he will. since several of his high donors are, especially.
Manchin is beholden to corporate donors. Simena will only vote to confirm judges and that’s about all we can expect on a regular basis.
What rock did Sinema crawl out from under? She is real similar to Sick Rott ‘cept she didn’t buy herself a governor’s seat. 💩
But, but…she’s a fashion icon!
https://twitter.com/_dubbus/status/1364306637440319489
Yes. An insult.
Also a cover story.
Indigenous people and Bruno Latour collaborative effort
A professor of creative writing in Australia recently published a book
Stephen reviews Bruno Latour’s The Critical Zones and points out what needs to be learned from Indigenous people. The review is formatted as a dialogue with an neo-liberal economist who wants to continue PROGRESS vs Stephen who wants to return to the Earth.
Here are the last few paragraphs of the Book Review of The Critical Zones. The entire article is not much longer. The character of neo-liberal economist is in italics
“75 per cent of all newly emerged diseases in humans are ‘zoonotic’. That is, emerging from neglect of animals in factory farms and wildlife markets.”
if i could wave a magic wand, the msm would pound on this until we all get it and demand a complete restructuring of how we eat.
break up the agribiz farms and give em back to the poor families that first got sued over GMOs, and finally felt they had to sell, or even those who saw a little wealth finally. same thing happening in other countries where the govt. just takes over, people migrate to the cities, only to go hungry, lose their spirit, and die.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/25/fashion/norwegian-wool-coats.html?action=click&module=Features&pgtype=Homepage
Why are we looking at a fashion page from the NY Times?
Here’s why.
Joe Biden has been wearing one of these coats, a jacket length black version in his outdoor events all winter. Then I noticed various anchors wearing these coats.
They are sleek and distinctive. They have an inner zip that turtlenecks up to cover your suit and tie or leave open to display your proper business attire. The coats and jackets cost from 1000-2000 dollars.
Nobody is making a fuss about these coats are they?
Coat-gate whining is confined to Bernie only.
If you Google the company, Norwegian Wool, you can see the coats details clearly. I couldn’t get those photos to transfer to this essay.
Oh. And the NY Times article never mentioned Biden. That’s my garment center family background showing as I’d been wondering about those coats from the moment I first saw them on TV.
Bernie’s coat is a lot more practical. It deals with humidity as well as temperature fluctuations. I bet it’s cheaper, too.
The media will cover Joe’s elite purchase. That’s their job.
Harassing Bernie, also their job.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/26/the-fight-for-15-isnt-just-about-justice-its-good-economics?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
There is no common sense to serf level wages. High turnovers, bad morale, and constant hiring and training cost plenty of coin. Many businesses have failed cos of this abuse. It is just plain stupid greed. A major human flaw of which there may be no solution. 🙄🙁
Back when (Big) Al Franken was still in the Senate, he commented that CanCruz was not popular with the other members. So, how do these repugnant yahoos get elected?
The only thing going for John Boehner is that he favors the legalization of weed.
Why am I not surprised by still more amurikan backward, stupid thinking? 💩🤮 T and R, Ms. Benny!! ☮️😊👍
A good roundup of the three blue House seats set for primaries soon. Obviously Ohio is clear. We do not want McGinn in NM 😉. Chambers is the best in Louisiana but it’s more of a jumble.
NM is becoming a real wild card. It used to be part of the solid RWing SW bloc including AZ, and NV. Not anymore.