Monday, June 6, 2011

Thom Hartmann: The war Ronald Reagan started against the working class is a resounding success today

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Who's screwed? Minimum wage workers. The minimum wage is no longer enough to meet a person's minimum needs in Michigan according to a new report. The organization - Wider Opportunities for Women - published the report and it finds that a single Michigan resident needs to make more than 12 bucks an hour just to house - clothe - and feed him or herself. The minimum wage in Michigan is well short of that marker - just $7.40. But when you throw children into the equation - the picture is even grimmer.

A mother with two children needs to make about $24 dollars an hour to meet their basic needs - that's more than three times higher than minimum wage, and that's working a 40-hour week. That means each and every month - someone who's trying to raise their kids on minimum wage has to forego dinner - or rent - or electricity - or a new pair of shoes just to get by in America - the richest nation on the planet. I guess Republicans will argue they just need to get a credit card.

Looks like the war Ronald Reagan started against the working class 30 years ago is a resounding success today.

-Thom

Has the war been won? Tell us here.)

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