[Sean Flynn]

The Democrats claim that a min. wage increase will life poor workers out of poverty, but it will only increase unemployment and put the most unskilled workers out of a job. Countless economic studies have proven the damage caused by price floors like the minimum wage, and most economists agree that the concept is inherently flawed. But the Democrats continue to disguise the real effects of a min. wage hike with their rhetoric.

[demkicker]

And the Dems keep getting pummeled. I love that everyone is witnessing that they are on the wrong side of every issue these days...

[facedown]

The vote came one day after House Republican leaders made clear they won't allow a vote on the issue, fearing it might pass.

More comedy from the AP.

[Mikey_1962]

What if at your best you can only produce $5.00 worth of goods or services?

[Straight Vermonter]

What is the need for a minimum wage? I thought all Americans were so prosperous that we had to bring in Mexicans to do those jobs.

[Buckeye McFrog]

totally irrelevant....as it is, virtually nobody pays minimum wage now anyway. You can't get even a minimum-quality worker for that wage anymore. I only know of one place near my home that does start out at minimum, and ironically, it is a grocery store under UFCW contract, where that starting wage is written into their contract!
(hey, guys...McDonalds is stating almost two bucks an hr. higher!)

[stopem]

Something to consider is while keeping minimum wage at that level we the taxpayers have to pay for their welfare benefits.

$5.15 x 40 hours = $206 week who could live on $824 a month?
Under $10k a year I believe that's poverty level. So again I point out that we the taxpayers will have to pay to provide welfare benefits.

[Cobra64]

Kennedy noted Congress has raised its own pay for the past nine years by $31,600, while the minimum wage remained unchanged.

And by the looks of it Ted, it shows.

[MikeA]

Additionally, only about 4% of minumum wage earners are heads of household. Most are either second income earners like a wife or teenagers, so Teddy Kennedy's sob story of minumum wage earners only making $10K a year is basically just appeal to emotion with little practical meaning in this debate. Minimum wage is a starting place for most employees who quickly move up in pay and promotions. Raising the minumum wage now will lock many of these people out of the job market by squeezing hiring and ensuring they don't make the move up in wages they could accomplish on their own if govt. got out of the way.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Unfortunately, the federal minimum wage is irrelevant. There's nothing to stop states from raising their wages. Dims are already targeting the minimum wage at the state levels. Wisconsin just raised it's minimum wage to $6.50, thanks to the gutless GOP legislature that compromised with Governor Doyle.

[rawcatslyentist]

Minimum wage shminimium wage....

If the marxists had any brass, they'd impose a Maximum wage!

[Protagoras]

I'll celebrate when they repeal the whole damn thing. Hell, I'll celebrate if they even try.