Political Quotes

“Mr. President, it really comes down to this: Working Americans deserve the opportunity to earn a decent wage. It has been more than 5 years since the last increase in the minimum wage. You would think when it has been more than 5 years, that would be enough reason to increase the minimum wage, just that issue alone. But during the last 5 years, living costs have not stood still. In fact, the cost of living has gone up. Since 1991, the average monthly gas bill has gone up. Since 1991, the average monthly electric bill has gone up. In fact, in my home State of Vermont, where many Vermonters use wood stoves to heat their homes, and when it is 20 below zero--that is not a luxury in heating your homes-- but since 1991, the average cost of a cord of wood has gone up. But throughout all this time, the minimum wage has stayed the same. The basic living costs of working Americans in every area--food, heat, shelter, transportation--have gone up. But the minimum wage has remained the same. In fact, the minimum wage is at a 40-year low, as far as its buying power. The minimum wage earner today grosses only $8,840 a year.”