Former Ohio governor tries to live on minimum wage for a week...doesn't make it.

[Cali_Democrat]

I would like to thank Ted Strickland for shining light on this very important issue facing the working poor:

Ted Strickland Tried To Live On The Minimum Wage For A Week, Ran Out Of Baloney
By Arthur Delaney

WASHINGTON -- Ted Strickland tried to live on the minimum wage for a week, and it didn't go so well.

"I didn’t make it," the former Democratic governor of Ohio wrote in Politico Magazine.

For his "Live The Wage" challenge Strickland allotted himself $77 for food, transportation and other basics. The amount is supposed to be what's left over after housing and taxes for somebody who earns the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, or $290 for a 40-hour workweek.

Strickland tried to keep his expenses down but said he'd run out of cash by Thursday.

"For the week, I walked as much as I possibly could to avoid paying for transportation, skipped meals to save money -- and I ate much smaller and less healthful meals when I did eat," Strickland wrote. "Because fresh fruits and vegetables are hard to find at a price within a minimum wage budget, I turned to bread, peanut butter, bananas and bologna more than anything else."

Strickland performed the stunt to draw attention to Democratic efforts to raise the federal minimum wage, which hasn't had a boost in five years. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) has also signed up for the challenge to raise attention for a November ballot initiative.

Read more:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/28/ted-strickland-minimum-wa_n_5626821.html?1406561166

So who is standing in the way of a minimum wage increase? The GOP of course:

Senate Republicans block minimum wage increase bill

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/04/30/senate-republicans-block-minimum-wage-increase-bill/

[longship]

1. This kind of "stunt" can do a lot to raise awareness.

It should get more publicity, as well as a challenge to those against raising the minimum wage to try it. Throw down the gauntlet.

[jwirr]

13. Yes, when George McGovern was trying to get Congress to pass food stamps some of the

Democratic Congress members actually tried this for a month. I got the attention of fellow Congress members.

[Mnemosyne]

2. Still think every rep needs to begin their term doing this for 3 months. Let them feel our pain. nt

[Cali_Democrat]

6. Agree

Every one of them should be doing it, especially the ones who voted to reject the increase.

[obxhead]

23. For their entire term.

No free rides, no free medical, no free housing.

Day in day out for the entire term at minimum wage. Make it the law. Then the only people who serve will be those that want to SERVE!

Minimum wage will also move to $25+ immediately.

[jen63]

3. Strickland

is a good egg. I wasn't much into politics when he was governor, so I don't know too much about his admin. I do know he is a good person though. Kasich is a total tool.

[Thinkingabout]

4. The current minimum wage assures there will be more pepole in the safety net.

When Romney was talking about 47% are takers he did not explain there are lots of takers who are working and some are like him and his company taking millions to replenish pension funds he had raided.

Of the ones on minimum wage are single parents providing for their children, it is not a case where they do not work but sure do not make enough to provide shelter, food and clothing. There isn't anything with shopping in resale shops but it would still be hard. I heard a guy on FOX saying it is possible to save $100 a month but after the show he admitted it was possible to save $100 a month if the person worked two minimum wage jobs. Well sir if minimum wage was up to $15 a,hour, guess what, there could be lots of money saved.

[In_The_Wind]

5. DU Rec!

[catbyte]

7. Too bad Republicans are too cowardly and indifferent to attempt this.

They know that it would blow their bluster sky high if they did. Gutless cretins.

[liam_laddie]

31. Gutless cretins! Best term ever for Boehner&sheep. Thank you!

[catbyte]

33. Feel free to use any time!

[MarianJack]

8. That includes YOU, Susan Collins!

It's time for a change up here in Maine. It's time for Senator Shenna Bellows. She will be the Elizabeth Warren of civil rights.

GO SHENNA BELLOWS!!!

Peace!

[ReRe]

9. That title kills me...

... if you didn't know any better, you would think it was The Onion. "...Runs out of Baloney."

[alp227]

10. Strickland's article

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/07/a-mile-in-shoes-of-the-minimum-wage-worker-109418_full.html

[rickyhall]

11. Maybe Paul Ryan can council Ted Strickland on how it's done.

He's the "Expert" right?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

14. But Strickland would have to promise to change his lifestyle...

Because he's a naughty, naughty boy.

[riqster]

16. Yeah, those Methodist minister types. Total hellions.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

17. Methodist....Methamphetamine

Coincidence? I think not.

No, seriously. I don't think. Not at all. I disturbs the ferrets that are living in my skull.

[riqster]

19. So we can't ferret out your thoughts?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

20. Zing!

riqster will be here all week...

[riqster]

21. Tipping is not a city in China, take care of your servers!

www.instantrimshot.com

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

22. instantrimshot.com

Yes. It comes as a phone app. Yes. I've downloaded it.

Also going to get the "Cough Bullshit" app -- might come in handy in meetings.

[riqster]

24. The "sad" sound is my fave.

[lpbk2713]

12. Skip the lattes.

After deciding which of the basics get paid this month and
which don't, it's a long time until the next paycheck.

[riqster]

15. Strickland was a good Guv.

[blue neen]

18. A "stunt"?

Delaney is making it sound like Ted Strickland is pledging a fraternity.

This very admirable effort by Gov. Strickland will hopefully draw attention to the reality of America's working poor.

[silvershadow]

25. I applaud his effort, and I rec'd this, but...$77 a week left over after paying housing and taxes?

Who has anything left over? I mean really. It was just in the news that minimum wage won't cover a 2 bedroom apartment in most areas, let alone anything left over. But, like I said, I applaud his effort to raise awareness.

[Enthusiast]

26. Ted Strickland was a wonderful governor. Now Ohio has the horrible John Kasich.

[eridani]

27. I'm sure he realizes that he still had plenty of resources not available to actual poor people

Freezer to store surplus sale items
A car, washer and dryer. Think of accomplishing shopping and laundry riding busses and waiting at laundromats.
Plenty of room to store more than one roll of toilet paper.
Stove, oven, modern kitchen appliances.

To make the experience even more realistic, he might have considered knocking a couple of teeth out.

[sammythecat]

28. It's a good thing what he did,

but you're exactly right. Much more mention should be given to these "periphery" consequences of working for poverty wages. Another big one that he wouldn't be able to experience is the enormous stress suffered by these people, the grim and ever present worry and fear that comes with never having enough money. It is quite literally killing people.

I could easily enter into a lengthy screed here, there is much to be said about this. I'll just say that the minimum should be 15/hr. and it has to be nationwide. Here and there will not work, and 10.10/hr phased in over 2 or three years isn't going to do much other than just piss off employers and give ammo to the right so they can say "I told you so". Spending fuels business, not low wages.

[onecent]

30. air conditioning, money for kids school supplies, school clothes,

money for kids sports sign ups, tennis shoes and dentist....and eye care....

Was a very nice effort, I wish this could get some real notice by the right people, whoever the right people are...lol

[drynberg]

29. Stunt my ASS!

This is as real as it gets, sweety. Don't pass out or even blink, see it all.

[fbc]

32. He probably doesn't have a Trader Joe's nearby

I'm able to live on a food budget smaller than that, but Trader Joe's has really good prices on vegtables.

I'd say he made some very good decisions though. Eggs and Toast for breakfast is inexpensive, though he'd be better off making that a singular egg. Bananas are really cheap and healthy. Peanut Butter is a cheap source of protein, but personally I've gone away from eating that. He missed one thing that would have really helped him stretch that budget: Oatmeal. I make mine with raisins and chocolate (pound plus dark chocolate bar only $5!)

And in the article he mentions eating at McDonalds. Bad Idea.

[Califa]

34. Sorry to rain on everyone's parade....

What Strickland has done is commendable and highlights the issue of poverty. However, it's been done before.

I'm an old geezer and remember periodic stories starting in the early 1970's of several politicians that have tried to live on minimum wage, food stamps, and/or cash aid. Guess what? Nothing got better but instead got worse.

I'm not thrilled to say all you young-ins' will be hearing the same kind of story well into your days as a senior citizen.

As I've been saying for a few years now....same s#!t different decade.

[IkeRepublican]

35. Agreed

Those things you listed were either before my time or I was too little to know it, but I do remember reading about it over the years.

I would imagine it would be even more difficult these days to make it publicized with all the other pointless bullshit in the media. And even if it was heavily publicized, it would get the reaction as such...

"Oh, that's sucks" (goes back to dicking around with smartphone)

[Shoonra]

36. And people wonder why ....

A person cannot survive on minimum wage .... and people wonder why a person might prefer not working and getting welfare, miserly as it is, to working for minimum wage. At least on welfare, a person doesn't have to leave the house everyday, paying for bus fare to and from a job, having to have laundered clothes every day for a job, and packing a lunch to eat at the job.

Conservatives talk about "the dignity of work" - yet they do what they can to rob it of its dignity by making it so unrewarding that survival is easier as a welfare recipient.

(And, I might add, that welfare allowances are so miserly that survival, especially with any feeling of comfort or dignity, is nearly impossible .... and yet politicians are still surprised when welfare recipients bend or break some of the rules to be able to have a full meal or a little amusement once in a while. Some of those fatcats raking in the million dollar campaign contributions and then deserting public service for a lobbying job should instead be made to live on what minimum wage workers or welfare recipients have to get by on.)