Political Quotes

“we know what distinguishes America from Third World countries, not just its democratic processes but its standard of living, the high quality of life we have in this country. Well, at least that is the way it used to be when people could get good paying jobs in industry. That is not the case now. USA Today says, ``How would you like to raise a family on $8,800 a year?'' That is what we get with the current minimum wage. We ought to raise it. I am appalled when I hear my Republican colleagues who make over $100,000 a year say that they will fight a 90-cent increase in the minimum wage with every fiber in their body. It is absolutely shocking. We need to maintain a high minimum wage so that we can have the high standard of living in this country. The current minimum wage is $1,100 less than the poverty level. People cannot exist on the current minimum wage. If we increase the minimum wage, 12 million Americans will benefit. And do not let the Republicans tell us they are just teenagers. Thirty-nine percent of those Americans, 39 percent of those 12 million, are breadwinners, heads of households. Mr. Speaker, the equation is very simple. Decent minimum wages mean less welfare. The people who are getting welfare are there because many of them cannot get a decent wage even though they work.”