Hillary Clinton refuses to support a $15 national minimum wage.

[Lancero]

[quote]Hillary Clinton on Thursday wouldn’t commit to supporting a $15 national minimum wage but said she is working with Democrats in Congress who are determining how high it can be set.

“I support the local efforts that are going on that are making it possible for people working in certain localities to actually earn 15,” Clinton said in a response to a question from BuzzFeed News during a press availability in New Hampshire on Thursday.

“I think part of the reason that the Congress and very strong Democratic supporters of increasing the minimum wage are trying to debate and determine what’s the national floor is because there are different economic environments. And what you can do in L.A. or in New York may not work in other places.”

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kyleblaine/hillary-clinton-declines-to-support-a-national-15-minimum-wa#.hhrVO0VjD

What was it that she told Fight for 15, just ten days ago? Oh yeah "I want to be your Champion"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/07/hilllary-clinton-minimum-wage_n_7530914.html

I guess she overlooked the part of Fight for 15's goals was to see all fast food workers being paid a $15 minimum.

http://fightfor15.org/why-we-strike/

Putting her statements together, what does she say? - "I want to champion your fight for a $15 minimum wage, but I don't think all minimum wage workers deserve a $15 minimum wage"

[GoneFishin]

1. I'll bet all the workers affected by this are going to give her an earful at her $2,700 a plate

dinner.

[Lancero]

9. How long away is that?

372.4 hours of work and the fast food workers will have enough to get a seat.

...Well, if they don't need to eat. Or pay rent. Or get gas. Or get insurance. Or pay electric bills. Or the water bill. Any bills. Or have to spend any money at all.

Thankfully Jeb Bush has a solution for this - They just need to work more hours. Afterall, who needs sleep?

[Cheese Sandwich]

17. To be real most Americans could never afford to drop $2700 on a political donation.

Mine are like $5.

[Scootaloo]

2. Her campaign is a lot like that scene from Seinfeld.

Jerry: "Just talking? Well, what's the show about?"
George: "it's about nothing!"

[riversedge]

3. No, she did not flip flop in 10 days as you say. Your own links says

" but so far she has stopped short of explicitly calling for a $15 federal minimum."



Hillary Clinton’s Message To Minimum Wage Activists: “We Need You”

In a phone message to workers gathered in Detroit, she defended the right to collectively bargain and gave shout-outs to adjunct professors and home care workers.
posted on Jun. 7, 2015, at 12:22 p.m.


http://www.buzzfeed.com/coralewis/hillary-clinton-tells-fight-for-15-we-need-you#.crPZRJeBN


......Clinton also noted the expansion of the movement’s reach. “Home care workers and adjunct professors, all of you should not have to march in the streets to get a living wage, but thank you for marching in the streets to get that living wage,” she said. “We need you out there.”

During a day of action by the Fight for 15 in more than 200 cities this past April 15, Clinton had tweeted her support for the protesters, but so far she has stopped short of explicitly calling for a $15 federal minimum.

[Lancero]

5. Did she or did she not say she wanted to be Fight for 15's champion?

How can she be their Champion, if she doesn't support their goals?

Still though, I'll pull that and concede that point to you. I was incorrect to label it as a flip flop. It's actually a case of 'Say one thing, mean another"... though I suppose "Say something but don't mean it at all" is more appropriate.

[riversedge]

6. She keeps referring to it as a living wage. Your OP talks

of different areas of the country. Perhaps she is right--ny, la etc can support 15 dollars--other areas many not be able to do that.

[Lancero]

8. Ok then - Can you tell me what states shouldn't have a $15 minimum wage?

Her statements don't line up - She wants to pass herself off as Fight for 15's champion, when she doesn't actually support their goals to see all low wage workers receive a $15 minimum wage.

I have trouble seeing how she can consider herself the groups champion, when she doesn't support their goal.

[riversedge]

10. I really do not know since I am

nowhere near an economic policy wonk nor have I even taken any econ classes. Off hand, it may not even be a state by state issue anyway. Rather--a geographic area or city--like Seattle (not entire state).

Speaking of my own state--some cities really should be pushing the 15 dollar amount-but norther WI is dirt poor except for some counties. they have the tourist industry in the summer and fall--and most live off that in the cold months.

[Unknown Beatle]

18. It's a national fifteen dollar minimum wage and

not minimum wage state by state. She's can't say yes to $15 in California but no to $15 in Alabama.

[Cheese Sandwich]

19. If the minimum wage had kept pace with productivity, it would be over $20 by now

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/13/minimum-wage-productivity_n_2680639.html

[ciaobaby]

24. I'm still laughing

"say something but don't mean it at all"
Sums it all up for so many.

[London Lover Man]

4. Anyone supporting Clinton after this flip flop needs to re-examine their values....

Thank you for this post. Bernie has always supported the increase on minimum wage to $15, and has O'Malley, Webb and Chaffee.

One of many foot-in-mouth disease attacks, apparently.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

27. Some support her out of LOVE, not money.

[Cheese Sandwich]

7. That sounds like Jeb Bush talking...

I support the idea that some local folks somewhere are fighting that you should get $15 if you actually earn it?

That's the point. We are earning it. We're just not getting paid enough.


http://www.mic.com/articles/122461/hillary-clinton-declines-to-endorse-15-minimum-wage

This is the problem with politicians who don't have any consistent ideas or core beliefs. Being a champion for workers means taking the lead and fighting to make the companies do what the workers want, which at this point means paying us right.

[daleanime]

11. Now let's be fair, what she said was, I want to be your champion.....

so let me go see what you'll be allowed.

[SoapBox]

13. ...

[artislife]

12. I wouldn't even call $15 an hour a living wage....

I wonder what H thinks it is .

[SoapBox]

14. And when she gets...

$250,000 for a speech!

But you? YOU? $15.00, pre tax, per hour?

Uhhhhh....not so sure you're worth it!

[Cheese Sandwich]

15. $250,000?! She must be one hell of a motivational speaker.

[Autumn]

55. Well over $15 an hour isn't it.

There's a champion.

[MannyGoldstein]

16. You should post this in the Hillary Clinton group.

They'll appreciate it.

And perhaps even show their respect by banning you.

[zappaman]

41. Confused about DUs groups and how they operate?

You must be new here.

[MannyGoldstein]

45. I think it's clear from my post

that I know *precisely* how *that* one operates.

[doc03]

20. It costs over $10 for a 1/2 sandwich 1/2 salad and water at Panera Bread

a small coffee at Starbucks is $1.95. I had 2 beers and a wrap at Applebee's Monday that ran $23.22 not including the tip. What will it be when there is a $15 minimum wage? Us retired people get no COLA on our pensions or IRA and the SS cola doesn't cover the actual increases.

[Cheese Sandwich]

23. On the other hand people who work at Panera couldn't even afford to eat there now.

Many of them are on government food assistance and eat from churches, food pantries and the charity of family.

The kids school clothes come from Goodwill.

Starving the workers is not the answer. The money is being sucked up into Panera's profits, Starbucks etc. Those are the ones who have to pay more.

[doc03]

37. I agree and in a perfect world it would come out

of their profits but it doesn't work that way. The first thing management always looks at is labor costs, wages, benefits and employment. Reducing profits never ever occurs to them. So what do people on a fixed income do, keep cutting our food budget until we are on cat food or go back to work at 70.

[Cheese Sandwich]

48. I don't know. On Edit - I don't know much about the price of beer at Applebees

[PatrickforO]

30. You know what?

Restaurants charge what people will pay, and big chains like Panera and Applebee's earn billions in profits. WHY are their shareholders MORE important than the workers who actually create the profit?

So, minimum goes up, prices stay the same and profit suffers a little. That's how it will be. I'll tell you why.

There have been dozens and dozens of studies that show zero employment effects from raising minimum.

Here's a very good Center for Policy and Research literature review on employment effects from raising minimum.

http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/min-wage-2013-02.pdf

As to your point that prices will go through the roof, they might rise incrementally, but any rise will stop at the point when they cannot sell enough to surpass cost of operations. People simply will not pay much more for restaurant fare because they can't afford to. You know Starbucks has announced it is raising its prices. You will see a commensurate dip in sales. Maybe volume will recover after time, maybe it will not. Starbucks is a luxury item for most people. In the end, Starbucks will adjust its prices to what each local market will bear.

[En Garde]

21. Unsurprising. This kind of triangulating mumbo jumbo defines Hillary's approach to populist policy.

Her Warren-esque facade is a millimeter thin and a mile wide.

[PatrickforO]

31. Her smile is what seems false to me.

[En Garde]

34. Hillary is entirely scripted. Unfortunately, many are willing to go along with the Democratic version of Mitt Romney.

The coronation must proceed.

[MisterP]

22. this is BAD--it's something people can feel directly, even more than Glass-Steagall

this is a *Poppy* Bush moment more than a Jeb moment, a confounded yet somehow wondrous gawping at the supermarket checkout scanner while misguessing the price of milk by an order of magnitude

[Spitfire of ATJ]

25. First major fuck up of the campaign....

I suppose next we will hear that some people just aren't WORTH it.

[morningfog]

26. So sick of her mealy mouth garbage and lack of conviction.

[NanceGreggs]

28. Do you have a link to where ...

... Hillary "refuses to support a $15 national minimum wage"?

You DO understand the difference between "not committing to" and "refusing", don't you?

Or, on the other hand, you don't seem to understand that at all.

"Putting her statements together, what does she say? - "I want to champion your fight for a $15 minimum wage, but I don't think all minimum wage workers deserve a $15 minimum wage"."

Uh, no. That's not what she said at all. Not even close.

If you want to opine on what someone has actually said, that's your right. But offering your own opinion on your own spin of what someone said is as self-serving as it is pointless.

[Lancero]

32. Simple yes or no question - Do minimum wage workers deserve a $15 dollar minwage - A living wage?

My answer is a resounding YES!.

Her answer is a resounding "what you can do in L.A. or in New York may not work in other places"

Her answer is the Republicans response to minimum wage increases.

But still, my point stands - She said she wanted to champion their goals, and their goal is to see every minimum wage worker recieving a $15 dollar wage. And then she backtracks using a canned Republican response.

I'm not afraid to give my answer to the question - Care to give yours?

[NanceGreggs]

39. Where was Hillary asked ...

... if she thought minimum wage workers deserved a $15 min wage?

She wasn't asked that question at all. Perhaps your problem is that you don't understand that in order to raise the minimum wage, it has to be a viable plan that can be agreed to by legislators. One can say that workers deserve $60 an hour - but how fast do you think that idea would get enough "yes" votes to pass?

[Lancero]

46. I'm not asking Hillary, I'm asking you.

I can proudly give a resounding YES to that question.

But if you want to pull a play from the Republicans book on wage, shouting off "WHY NOT RAISE IT TO *Insert extremely large number here" then, well, have fun with that.

[NanceGreggs]

47. If I were running for POTUS ...

... I wouldn't be focused on what people "deserve". I would be focused on what I could actually get passed by the legislators who have to vote yea or nay.

You, on the other hand, don't seem to comprehend how that works. But don't feel bad - a lot of people here don't either.

What I personally think minimum wage workers deserve or should have is irrelevant. What IS relevant is what is do-able legislatively.

Given your recent posts and their content, I'm just going to go ahead and assume you are very new to the political process, which accounts for why you don't understand such basic realities.

[Lancero]

49. It can be done with support...

Though people saying that "It's impossiable to do" just makes it harder.

Look in a mirror, you'll see why giving workers a living wage is supposedly undoable. It's because of people who REFUSE to fight for what is right, instead choosing to do what it easy.

The recent fight for marriage equality is a example of such. Supporters of equality never said "Welp, it's impossiable - lets not even bother". No, they fought a long and hard battle to secure their rights. They fought for what is right, instead of taking the easy way out and submitting to discriminatory laws. It was a long and hard fight yes, but it it one that they won because they were willing to fight for what is right.

A livable wage is what is right. It will be a long and hard fight, but it is one I am willing to support. Are you?

That said, do you believe Fight for 15 is a group of uneducated fools? This is what they have to say on the subject of higher wages...

There’s work to do before every worker gets $15 an hour and a union – but together, I know that we will win.

They know the truth - That the fight for a livable wage is going to be long and hard, and that it will take a lot of work. They know that it will take a lot of time, effort, and work to accomplish this. But it is something that they are willing to do - Because they are willing to do what is right, instead of what is easy.

So tell me, are they uneducated fools fighting for a dream that will never come true? Should they abandon their goal because it in unfesable? Or should they continue to fight for what is right?

[NanceGreggs]

50. Who said it was impossible to do? n/t

[Lancero]

51. Guess what 'can not be done' is a definition for?

[NanceGreggs]

52. And who said "cannot be done"?

[Lancero]

53. You did.

Or, as you put it, what workers deserve is irrelevant because it couldn't get passed - because it isn't doable legislatively.

You don't outright say it of course, but words have a meaning behind them beyond a definition.

Give a straight yes or no answer for once - Do workers deserve a living wage? Are you willing to fight to see workers gaining such?

I'm more then willing to give a direct answer to those questions instead of playing word games to sidestep answering them - So how about you do the same?

[beam me up scottie]

33. "Hillary Clinton Declines To Support A National $15 Minimum Wage"

That's from the article.

You DO understand the difference between "declining" and "not committing to", don't you?

If you want to opine on what someone has actually said, that's your right. But offering your own opinion on your own spin of what someone said is as self-serving as it is pointless.

[NanceGreggs]

38. And you DO know the difference ...

... between an actual statement from Hillary and what an article says? Seriously

[Ichingcarpenter]

42. she supports the struggle locally but not enough to do it nationally.

that is a crap support and you know it.

[PatrickforO]

29. I've been noticing for some time that Clinton more closely resembles a

wind sock or a weather vane than a potential leader of the United States.

She is SO poll driven that she's forgotten what she actually STANDS FOR.

She's not alone, either. Many Democrats have this issue, which is why they got pasted in the 2014 elections.

At least Bernie and O'Malley are genuine. In fact, I like O'Malley almost as much as Bernie, but he doesn't yet have the 'street cred.' that Bernie does. We need to watch the guy though, because he's great on policy.

[En Garde]

35. Well said.

She never sticks her neck out; quite the opposite. As Senator, she did the same. As POTUS, she will no doubt do the same while Bill and she restore the DLC rather than Glass-Steagall.

[Mosby]

36. 15 dollars per hour would kill a lot of small businesses

And in order to survive some would cheat via contract labor and under the table pay.

[Ichingcarpenter]

40. We need existing slavery wages then?

its that what you are saying?

[Mosby]

43. I think we need a multifaceted approach

Some ideas:

1. 10 dollar minimum wage, more in expensive cities.

2. Tariffs on imported goods. This will help bring back good jobs and fund the federal government.

3. Raise income tax and cap gains tax.

4. Expand US assistance/aid programs using the new revenue, things like child care subsidies for low income families. Expand health care subsidies. Expand tuition subsidies.

5. Nationalize the hospital system, utilities, transportation and internet providers. This could drastically lower living expenses for most Americans which in turn would give them more disposable income which would help the economy grow and create more jobs.

[Ichingcarpenter]

44. ten dollars will not appease the masses nor help'' anyone at that level of existance.

400 a week before taxes and deductions? Really?

Rent is a major 'bitch' or bastard for me and others, let alone , heat, phone, healthcare , electric that leaves little left if any. for food........



child care subsidies should never be based on year tax deduction at that level of existence........ the subsidy term is a cheap cop out for what is really needed
for people that live pay check to pay check

[Autumn]

54. Anyone who won't commit to a $15 minimum wage for every minimum wage worker

is not a champion for the people. This chart shows the wages for many Americans and Hillary Clinton won't commit to a $15 dollar minimum wage. Another Hillary Clinton profile in courage.

Alabama
none

Alaska
$8.75
$9.75 eff. 1-1-16
Indexed annual increases begin Jan. 1, 2017. (2014 ballot measure)
American Samoa
varies 1

Arizona
$8.05

Rate increased annually based on cost of living. (Ballot measure 2006)
Arkansas
$7.50
$8.00 eff. 1-1-16
$8.50 eff. 1-1-17

California
$9.00
$10.00 eff. 1-1-16

Colorado
$8.23

Rate increased or decreased annually based on cost of living (Constitutional amendment 2006)
Connecticut
$9.15 2
$9.60 eff. 1-1-16
$10.10 eff. 1-1-17

Delaware
$8.25

D.C.
$10.50 3
$10.50 eff. 7-1-15
$11.50 eff. 7-1-16
Indexed increases begin July 1, 2017 (2014 legislation)
Florida
$8.05

Annual increase based cost of living. (Constitutional amendment 2004)
Georgia
$5.15
(see notes below)

Guam
$8.25

Hawaii
$7.75
$8.50 eff. 1/1/16
$9.25 eff. 1/1/17
$10.10 eff. 1/1/18

Idaho
$7.25

Illinois
$8.25

Indiana
$7.25

Iowa
$7.25

Kansas
$7.25

Kentucky
$7.25

Louisiana
none

Maine
$7.50 4

Maryland
$8.25
$8.25 eff. 7-1-15
$8.75 eff. 7-1-16
$9.25 eff. 7-1-17
$10.10 eff. 7-1-18

Massachusetts
$9.00 5
$10.00 eff. 1-1-16
$11.00 eff. 1-1-17

Michigan
$8.15
$8.50 eff. 1-1-16
$8.90 eff. 1-1-17
$9.25 eff. 1-1-18
Annual increases take effect Jan. 1, 2019, linked to the CPI. Increases not to exceed 3.5%. (2014 Legislation)
Minnesota
$8.00/$6.50 6
Large Employers:
$9.00 eff. 8-1-15
$9.50 eff. 8-1-16
Small Employers:
$7.25 eff. 8-1-15
$7.75 eff. 8-1-16
Indexed annual increases begin Jan. 1, 2018. (2014 legislation)
Mississippi
none

Missouri
$7.65 7

Minimum wage increased or decreased by cost of living starting Jan. 1, 2008. (2006 ballot measure)
Montana
$8.05/$4.00 8

Increases done annually based on the CPI and effective Jan. 1 of the following year. (2006 ballot measure)
Nebraska
$8.00
$9.00 eff. 1-1-16

Nevada
$8.25/$7.25 9

Increases subject to the federal minimum wage and consumer price index. Increases take effect July 1. (Constitutional amendment 2004/2006).
New Hampshire
repealed by HB 133 (2011)

New Jersey
$8.38

Indexed annual increases based on the CPI, effective Jan. 1, 2014. (Constitutional Amendment 2013)
New Mexico
$7.50

New York
$8.75
$9.00 eff. 12-31-15

North Carolina
$7.25

North Dakota
$7.25

Ohio
$8.10/$7.25 10

Indexed annual increases based on the CPI. (Constitutional amendment 2006)
Oklahoma
$7.25/$2.00 11

Oregon
$9.25

Indexed annual increases based on the CPI, rounded to the nearest five cents. (ballot measure 2002)
Pennsylvania
$7.25

Puerto Rico
$7.25/$5.08 12

Rhode Island
$9.00
$9.60 eff. 1-1-16

South Carolina
none

South Dakota
$8.50

Annual indexed increases begin Jan. 1, 2016. (2014 ballot measure.)
Tennessee
none

Texas
$7.25

Utah
$7.25

Vermont
$9.15
$9.60 eff. 1-1-16
$10.00 eff. 1-1-17
$10.50 eff. 1-1-18
Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, minimum wage increased annually by 5% or the CPI, whichever is smaller; it cannot decrease. Note: Vermont started indexing in 2007. (2014 legislation)
Virgin Islands
$7.25/$4.30 13

Virginia
$7.25

Washington
$9.47

Annual indexed increases began Jan. 1, 2001. (ballot measure 1998)
West Virginia
$8.00
$8.75 eff. 12-31-15

Wisconsin
$7.25

Wyoming
$5.15

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Labor, http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm; and state web sites.
http://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/state-minimum-wage-chart.aspx