The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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May 23, 2011

Your View: GOP, DFL both failing the state

Michael Burger, Mankato

As the Republicans and Democrats bicker over the state budget, the average citizen continues to suffer.

No new taxes, kicking people off public assistance, and we all fend for ourselves, right?

Is this the government you elected your representatives to bring to “we the people?”

Here is an idea for politicians, raise the minimum wage. The minimum wage for small employers making less than $625,000 is $5.25 per hour. All other businesses pay a minimum of $7.25 per hour.

If you want people off government assistance, then raise the wages so they don’t qualify. No business will fail if we raise the minimum wage.

Yes, some businesses may have to raise the prices on their products and services, but the benefit of raising the minimum wage is the increase of payroll taxes collected, the increase of sales tax collected from people having more money to spend and the savings from getting people off public assistance.

If you want people off public assistance, then get them jobs with livable wages.

Remember, the median income in Minnesota is just over $32,100. Paying someone $9 per hour is a yearly wage of $18,720. How many of you can raise a family on that income?

So, Republicans who don’t want to raise taxes and Democrats who want to tax the rich — why not just increase people’s wages? Wouldn’t that be a good compromise?

Isn’t it time to get median income up to $40,000 a year? You wouldn’t have to raise taxes, cut LGA or aid to schools.

It’s time to vote for candidates who will put the people of Minnesota first and not a political doctrine. It’s time to not vote for Republicans or Democrats.

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