I live in of the most beautiful states in the country. We have majestic mountains, rivers, lots of empty space. Even our dessert has its own stark beauty. The biggest problem we have is that many of our workers earn minimum wage or near minimum wage. That means people are trying to feed their families on $7.25 hour. Sometimes times 2 for both adults. These people work very hard for their money. They qualify for food stamps and their children qualify for free lunches and medicaid.
These people can be home buyers. Heck they cant feed themselves without help. Many work 60 to 80 hours a week at several different jobs.
The employers who pay minimum wage are already asking for the government to subsidize the low pay they give their employees by default.
In Idaho we have a ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage http://www.raiseidaho.org to $9.80/hour. It's not a great increase but it will make a difference. It will raise standards throughout the state. It will give people hope that they will not be in poverty forever. Less people will need medicaid, foodstamps and free lunches. If a man is hungry and I give him a fish he will eat for a day. If I train him to fish he will eat for life. Raising the minimum wage is the right thing to do for Idaho and for Idahoans.
Many issues are either Democrat or Republican. This is an Idaho issue. It defies party. I know many people in both parties that are signing the petition. Raise the minimum wage raise our dignity!
By the way if we do more people will be able to buy their own home. That gives people dignity.
Comments(6)