Former War-Hero and Arizona US Senator John McCain will forever be remembered for his valiant vote to keep health care for millions of Americans in need.
The late Senator was a Republican, and so I did not share his political philosophy. Nevertheless, I respected the hell out of the man. He was a man who demonstrated character, and courage, not just as a POW in Vietnam, but as a Senator who stood on principle as a Presidential candidate who ran a clean campaign before Sarah Palin was brought in supposedly to save his campaign and brought with her the raw uncut Racism that is evident in the country today.
This is Arizona US Senator Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat, registering her ‘NO’ vote in a style reminiscent of John Mccain’s no vote against the skinny repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
A US Senator makes about $174 000, in salary; they are servants of the people. A $15-per hour for the people at the bottom would essentially mean an annual salary of roughly $31,000 annually.
Even if the $15 per hour were passed, it would be phased in over a four-year period, maxing out in 2024.
By the time workers at that level receive the $15-per hour, inflation will have already eaten away the increase.
The Federal minimum wage has not been increased since 2009.
Yet, here is a public servant who is earning $174,000 at tax-payers expense, in tone-deaf Marie Antionette fashion, flippantly gives the thumbs down to an increase that over four years would give people struggling to pay rent and buy food a $31,000 annual salary.
And she did so while decked out in the latest couture.
Former Massassachutes Democratic Senator, the late Ted Kennedy once asked Republicans in an impassioned outburst of anger, “what is it about poor people that you hate so much”?
Sadly, if Senator Kennedy were here, he would have to ask Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema, Jean Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, Jon Tester, Tom Carper, Chris Coons, (Angus King, independent ) the same question.
With Democrats like these, where do progressives go to get parity in a country that long ceased being a Democracy, and has for all intents been a plutocracy?
The consensus for voting against raising the minimum wage is that businesses cannot pay the increased wages; there is no credible data that proves that businesses would suffer; in fact, there is evidence to the contrary.
Like Republicans, the (DINO) Democrats threw their support to business, effectively telling tens of millions of Americans struggling to pay rent and feed their families, ‘go to hell’.
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Mike Beckles is a former Police Detective, businessman, freelance writer, black achiever honoree, and creator of the blog mikebeckles.com.