[Mb-civic] Minimum Wage

[ean at sbcglobal.net]

Today's commentary:
http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2004-10/29secours.cfm

==================================

ZNet Commentary
Minimum Wage Yields Minimum Coverage:  Connecting The Election Dots
October 31, 2004 By Molly Secours 

Like most people, the upcoming elections weigh heavy on my mind these
days. Unfortunately, watching the debates is less than inspiring, if not
disheartening.  As always, political rhetoric rules and meaty discussions
about how policies affect real people are, for the most part,
non-existent. 

If one is poor, middle class, a person of color, or an immigrant, you may
be "alluded to" but rarely are issues of great concern discussed with any
depth. This is unsettling--to say the least--and something that should
give pause to democrats, liberals, leftists, independents and yes, even
those republicans displeased with the current administration. 

Like many people, when I need to think about things without interruption,
I go for a ride in my car--without my cell phone. On just such a recent
outing, while cruising down the freeway pondering what the November
election will yield, I sense something awry with my car. As I switch on
the blinker to pull into one of those quick-lube service stations, I muse
on how wonderful it is that one can decide on a moment's notice to get an
oil change on a lazy Sunday morning.  

The shop is abuzz with activity but there are only two mechanics on duty
and I am cordially solicited for patience. Filled with the feeling of
immense fortune and privilege to live somewhere with so many conveniences,
I clutch my latte, spread out the New York Times in the front seat and
prepared to pass the time enjoyably.

All is going smoothly until one of the mechanics, Jim, receives a phone
call from what sounds like a telemarketer, or perhaps a bill collector.
Exasperated, the handsome man in his late thirties grips a crescent wrench
and barks through the phone, "Didn't I tell you I work the whole work week
(emphasizing the word 'whole')?  I don't have time for this! What day is
this?  Yes, it's Sunday and I work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Jim
continues to punctuate all the days of the week to illustrate that he
works "every" day--no exceptions--and he does not like being bothered at
work.  

Even I, who normally cast spells on unwelcome callers who interrupt my
dinner, feel pity for the stranger. Destiny has unwisely collided their
fates and I envision the pained look of surprise, disappointment and
perhaps humiliation on the caller's face.  I console myself that
telemarketers are probably accustomed to enduring the wrath of those who
don't like being bothered by strangers--at home or at work.

Embarrassed to overhear such a personal and contentious exchange, I delve
more deeply into the NY Times book reviews. But it only gets worse. After
loudly enunciating the working days of the week--all of them-- Jim says,
"So how am I supposed to have the time to come pick you up and go to the
movies?  You tell your momma, when I say I work the ?whole work-week,¹
that's what that means.  Now quit calling me, son. I told you: I'll see
you when I have a day off."

It takes several moments to digest this disturbing declaration. The face
of a seasoned telemarketer instantly morphs into a young boy who wants
nothing more than to be with his dad on a weekend.  

Since Sunday, I have endeavored unsuccessfully to unwrap Jim's words from
my mind and create a distance from the larger implications. I was informed
that because of Jim's valuable skills, he receives approximately $6.85 an
hour and could work his way up to customer service representative to earn
$7.50.  This means that currently, after working a 40-hour work week, Jim
grosses $274 If he were to receive overtime pay (which is unlikely these
days) Jim might receive an extra $164 -- for working a 56-hour week.

No wonder Jim doesn't have time for his son. And taking him to the movies
once a week would take almost 10% of his base salary.

According to the AFL-CIO, economic experts who have examined the declining
value of the dollar have determined that any job paying less than $8.47 is
paying poverty-level wages. Like millions of Americans who cannot subsist
on a 40-hour week, Jim is earning poverty wages. During the last four
years, the Bush administration has fought against raising the minimum wage
and has complicated the mechanism that allows minimum wage workers to
receive overtime pay--while making it easier for employers to avoid paying
time-and-a-half.  At least John Kerry has proposed raising the minimum
wage from $5.15 to $7.00 by the year 2007. Although it is a modest
proposal--and by some considered, only a token gesture-- it at least
indicates an understanding of the gross inequities suffered by an enormous
segment of our population.   

And what will happen to Jim's son?  How will he fare with a father who is
too stressed out and overworked to spend time with him, and with a
president whose actions confirm he is more concerned with offering tax
breaks to millionaires rather than raising his dad's salary?  

Will Jim's son act out his frustration in school in a violent way and be
ensnared by the zero tolerance policy being enforced in Nashville high
schools (a policy not unique to Nashville)? Will the penalty of a 10-day
suspension really help someone like him, or will it give him10 more days
to think about how much time his father doesn't have for him? And if,
heaven forbid, Jim's son finds himself involved in a violent crime, would
trying him as an adult (a popular and growing trend in U.S. criminal
courts) somehow solve the problem and make us all sleep better?

Yes, in this election it matters who you vote for and how you connect the
dots between policies, ideologies and people--and yes, however microscopic
it feels at times, there are differences. 

It matters what the minimum wage is--even for those who have achieved
professional status, and make six-figure incomes and receive
top-of-the-line health care.  It matters because, whether we admit it or
not, issues like minimum wage policies reveal a great deal about the
parties involved and the perceived value of unskilled workers in this
country. But more importantly, issues like minimum wage permeate every
aspect of our collective lives from healthcare costs, education and crime.


For those who haven't already made up their minds about who to vote for in
the upcoming presidential election--if there really are such
people--instead of voting for policies that you believe benefit you
directly on November 2nd, listen and reach beyond the rhetoric. Make the
connections between the policies being promoted, those who benefit from
them and the fall-out for those whose lives are most affected as a result.
 The minimum wage is one of many critical issues being shortchanged during
this election.

After my oil change is complete, Jim walks in my direction. Seemingly
embarrassed and clearly aware the entire shop has overheard his
conversation, he says, "Kids! They want everything but they don't
understand you have to make choices."  

And so do we all, Jim.

Molly Secours is a freelance writer/speaker and radio talk-show host in
Nashville TN.  She can be reached at: www.steveconn.com/molly


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