Minimum Wage

Workers in Hawaii deserve to make a living wage. The Democratic leaders in Hawaii have proposed raising the minimum wage to $10.00 an hour, but the minimum wage should be more because $10.00 an hour isn't enough to lift full-time workers and their families out of poverty

Unlike 40 years ago, today's typical low-wage worker is not a teenager; he or she provides all or a large percent of family income. The minimum wage should be adjusted for inflation and for the productivity gains we achieved since then;

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."

Many of the rich throughout the island now pay wages that don't lift their employees out of poverty, the rest of the resident taxes pay for their Medicaid, food stamps, housing, and other assistance -- in effect, subsidizing these low-wage employers.

Some jobs on the Waianae Coast may be lost by raising the minimum wage to $10 an hour, but many more people will be lifted out of poverty. Probably get many of the hopeless and homeless back to working again. The entire coast will benefit.

"Hawaii Today" album by Loyal Garner

The economy will also benefit as low-wage workers have more money to spend, thereby creating more jobs. At a time in our nation's history when 95 percent of all economic gains are going to the top 1 percent, raising the minimum wage to at least $10 an hour is the right and decent thing to do.

By the way, does anyone know what the minimum wage is going to be in construction of the Rail Disaster that we don't need? That would surprise even the rich in Hawaii. And the property taxes will double. Though I have heard that the Present Rail Party is all for a minimum wage. "The more minimum the better."