How Does One Survive on $7.25 an Hour?

The American dream, we have visions dancing in our heads of a nice home, a nice vehicle or a nice saving account accumulating in the bank.  With a hourly wage of $7.25 that is just not a reality.  According to an article on the written in the opinion of Richard Trumka and Christine Owens on CNN.com “the American dream of just rewards for hard work has been fading fast”, the rich are getting richer and the poor even poorer.  Wage increases have gone to the wealthiest 10% according to the Economic Policy Institute.  There has not been an increase in minimum wage since 2009.  If minimum wage had kept up with inflation it would be $10.17 a hour instead of $7.25.  Tip workers have had the same wages for 20 years at a whopping at a mere $2.13.  Congress is considering a proposal, the Fair Minimum Wage Act, that if approved will raise minimum wage to $10.10 an hour over two years.  This will allow for growth to keep the pack with inflation.  

According to a research conducted by Hart Research associates, 80% of the public support a minimum wage increase, 62% includes Republicans.  Many Americans working for $7.25 an hour are having trouble paying the necessary bills such as rent and food.  The average family of four cannot survive off of $800 a month.  This would not even cover rent let alone utilities and food.  Even with the help of food stamps $7.25 an hour is unrealistic for survival.  There is no wiggle room for emergencies. 

I believe minimum wage should be over $15 an hour.  With the inflation of gas, food, utilities and health care, survival is almost impossible.  Hopefully congress will pass the Fair Minimum Wage Act soon. Americans will be  watching closely as we have just survived the government shutdown.  This would be a good time for the Republicans to show that they care about the middle and lower class of Americans and give back to the people who need it most.

           

Critique on Abortion Bill

Abortion such a sensitive subject was the critique topic of choice for Sasha Thomas.  Ms. Thomas, wrote about the Texas’ new abortion bill that went into effect on Nov 2, 2013 requiring abortionist to have local hospital-admitting privileges within 30 miles of where the procedure takes place in case of an emergency.  It seems that Ms. Thomas is pro-life yet there are circumstances where she feels that women should make their own decisions.   I personally am pro-choice.  I feel it is the woman’s decision on the issue.  In the end of the abortion issue we all have to answer to a high individual for all of our actions, so therefore I shall not judge.  On the issue of the actual abortion bill, I agree with abortionist have local hospital –admitting privileges.  We are humans and if there is a need for healthcare for any reason, no one should be denied.

Wife take Wife, Husband take Husband?

There are many mixed emotions over the same sex marriage laws.  As of October 2013, fourteen states issued marriage licenses for same-sex couples.  Just today Illinois voted to legalize same sex marriages making them the fifteenth state, reported Chicago Tribune.   For me, according to the Bible, God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.  On that same note how can we judge anyone, they have to answer for their mistakes just as I will have to answer for mine.  I have gay friends because I don’t discriminate, but everyone is not like me.  Making same sex marriages legal is making it okay for people to show displays of public affection.

 I believe hate groups are going to have another reason to have hate in their hearts against something that is legally acceptable now by the Statues of Frauds for fifteen states.  With so much prejudice in the world today against blacks, women, and Hispanics, we now will have to add gay to the list. I applaud Government for stepping in and making decisions on issues that we deal with on a daily basis.  Who are we to decide who someone can or cannot love?   One of the major things that disturbs me is we are going to see a rise of prejudice.  Times are changing and people need to sit back and enjoy the ride.  Like our parents always says if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say nothing at all.   For the people who just need to be upset about the same-sex couples law, just stay in your lane and don’t cross the lane. The world is changing and people are fighting for equality.  

Can You Say..."Angry Americans"

On Tuesday, October 23, 2013, The Huffington Post, published an article titled "Post-Shutdown Polls Find Americans Angry, GOP Majority Potentially Vulnerable” written by Ariel Edwards-Levy. Edwards-Levy is an associated polling editor at Huffington Post.  Edward-Levy gave her opinion about aftermath of the government shutdown and how angry Americans are.  There were two polls released on Tuesday that confirmed, Americans lay much of the blame on the GOP.  The wide majority believe the shutdown damaged the United States economy by 24 billion dollars.

Edwards-Levy uses information from the Washington/ABC polls to support the disapproval statistics of the American people.  The polls show that a low percentage of Americans think we are back on track since the shutdown is over.  With only 23 percent of Americans comfortable with how the political system is working, there is a lack of confidence in Washington.  The Congressional approval was also noted at a whopping 12 percent.  What really hit hard was the fact that 47 percent of American believe that if Congress voted out ever member it would improve. With the 2014 elections approaching and the finger pointing at the Republicans, the polls show that more Americans blame the GOP over President Obama for the shutdown.   Other polls show that Americans feel it is bad for the Republicans to be in charge of the house.  

Edwards-Levy intended audience would be anyone who cares about politics.  The Republicans would not like the low poll ratings that were mentioned in the blog.  At the same time the Democrats rating were also low, just not as low as the Republicans. I believe blogs of this nature could have an impact on the 2014 election if new polls do not improvements for the GOP ratings.  If America experiences another shut down in January 2014, next year’s presidential election will consist of finger pointing and name calling, but Americans will have the final say when we choose a Republican or Democrat to run the Oval Office.   

Campaign Donations Limits

On Monday, October 8, 2013,USA Today  published an article titled " Uphold Direct Campaign Donation Limits: Our View". There was no author mention for this article published under the opinion section. And was selected by The Editorial Board, USA Today


The article points out our First Amendment right to give money to elect politicians, or a political system free from the corruption money can buy.  This is a well debated topic for many Americans.  In order to help eliminate corruption, the need to place limits on contributions is recommended.  


Contributions are required to comply with base limits.  The limits for the 2013-2014 election cycle state  anyone can give a total of up to $123,200, with no more than $48,600 given to candidate committees and no more than $74,600 given to PACs and parties. Chief Justice John Roberts stated that limit "seems to me very direct restriction"  on free speech rights.  While Justice Antonin Scalia believes a donations should $3.5 million which is “not a heck of a lot of money”


The attended audience for this articles the people who do not have $3.5 million sitting in reserve.   These are the people who may be working pay check to pay check.  I feel more for moral people who believe in doing the right thing and play fair in politics.  Having money and being involved in politics is an ace in the hole for some.  The article can leave one guessing about all the bribes and favors created in our government that are not shared to the public.  The creditability of the author for this article is backed by facts with the laws governing contributions.  Placing a large donation to a campaign not only gets you recognized but can add you to the little book of favors for future use.  I feel it is what you know, who you know, and having the money to get you where you want to go is the name of the game.