Paul Chehade - Raise the Minimum Wage Now
1888 PressRelease - America needs a living wage so the lowest-paid workers are able to lift themselves out of poverty and bring economic equality to our nation. Paul Chehade.
1888 PressRelease - America needs a living wage so the lowest-paid workers are able to lift themselves out of poverty and bring economic equality to our nation. Paul Chehade.
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<strong>Paul</strong> <strong>Chehade</strong> <strong>Raise</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Minimum</strong> <strong>Wage</strong> <strong>Now</strong><br />
1888 Press Release America needs a living wage so <strong>the</strong> lowestpaid workers are able to lift <strong>the</strong>mselves out of<br />
poverty and bring economic equality to our nation. <strong>Paul</strong> <strong>Chehade</strong>.<br />
On Wednesday, <strong>the</strong> Senate failed to move forward with legislation that would increase <strong>the</strong> minimum wage to<br />
$10.10 over <strong>the</strong> period of 30 months. The minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009. Recent figures<br />
show that more than three million Americans earned that amount or less last year.<br />
What do <strong>the</strong>se numbers really mean? Assuming someone earning <strong>the</strong> current minimum wage works 40<br />
hours in a week, that amounts to a total of $290.00. This is before any taxes or deductions. Could YOU live<br />
on that amount per week?<br />
Let's take it one step fur<strong>the</strong>r. Assume a 40hour workweek, 52 weeks per year. That yields an annual income<br />
of $15,080.00. If you are a single parent with only one child, <strong>the</strong> poverty line for your household is<br />
$15,730.00. If you work fulltime, never miss a day of work and don't take any vacations, you are making<br />
$650.00 LESS than <strong>the</strong> poverty line!<br />
But that's not all. The likelihood of a minimumwage employee consistently working a full 40hour week is<br />
low. Think about who holds <strong>the</strong>se jobs: fastfood workers, lowlevel retail employees, etc. It is wellknown<br />
that many companies schedule <strong>the</strong>se employees less than a full week so <strong>the</strong>y do not have to pay for <strong>the</strong><br />
benefits which are due to fulltime workers.<br />
Yes, it's true that <strong>the</strong>re are some benefits available to <strong>the</strong>se, <strong>the</strong> most vulnerable workers in our society. But<br />
no one should have to depend on government handouts to make ends meet after an honest day's work. I<br />
believe that what people truly want is to be responsible for <strong>the</strong>ir own fates. These people are working, and<br />
<strong>the</strong>y are working hard. They deserve to live a life of dignity, and to take pride in providing for <strong>the</strong>ir families.<br />
The solution seems clear to me: raise <strong>the</strong> minimum wage. Where will <strong>the</strong> money come from? End tax breaks<br />
for <strong>the</strong> wealthy. Don't misunderstand me. I believe that market forces should be allowed to exert <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
influence in business, but not to <strong>the</strong> extent that it means exploiting <strong>the</strong> least fortunate among us.<br />
We all want to believe that America is <strong>the</strong> land of opportunity. But right now, that does not apply to<br />
everyone. We are creating an underclass of indentured servants who toil day and night with no visible<br />
recompense for <strong>the</strong>ir labors. Let us break this vicious cycle and empower our bro<strong>the</strong>rs and sisters to reach for<br />
<strong>the</strong> economic freedom so many of us enjoy. Let us raise <strong>the</strong> minimum wage to a living wage and truly make
America <strong>the</strong> land of opportunity for all of us.<br />
<strong>Paul</strong> <strong>Chehade</strong>:.<br />
Honor and Truth<br />
For more information please visit: http://www.paulchehade.org<br />
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