"I am shocked," said Rep. Eric Cantor, Virginia Republican. That was Cantor's response to finding out that a major company in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco district was exempted from the minimum-wage hike she pushed through the House. Me thinks that's a bit of a Claude-Rainsian "shocked". Maybe Rep. Cantor was a bit skeptical about a new era of ethical, even-handed legislation coming from the new majority party in Washington, D.C.
Here's the relevant details from the Washington Times:
On Wednesday, the House voted to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour.
The bill also extends for the first time the federal minimum wage to the U.S. territory of the Northern Mariana Islands. However, it exempts American Samoa, another Pacific island territory that would become the only U.S. territory not subject to federal minimum-wage laws.
One of the biggest opponents of the federal minimum wage in Samoa is StarKist Tuna, which owns one of the two packing plants that together employ more than 5,000 Samoans, or nearly 75 percent of the island's work force. StarKist's parent company, Del Monte Corp., has headquarters in San Francisco, which is represented by Mrs. Pelosi. The other plant belongs to California-based Chicken of the Sea.
This increase is part of the Democrats' pledge for their first 100 hours. Another was a vote on stem-sell research funding. Philomena has already chimed in on the wisdom and science behind all that. The clever move, however, to highlight Pelosi's hypocrisy, was pulled by Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina.
During the stem-cell bill debate, he asked the chairman if an amendment could be offered "that would exempt American Samoa from stem-cell research, 'just as it was for the minimum-wage bill.'" Pretty funny, and is the way the party in the minority must operate to make its points.
My point, as I've said before, is that the American public ought not to expect anything new from these guys on their "ethics reforms". The foxes--GOP or Dem--will not altruistically 'reform' the rules of the hen house to disadvantage themselves. Thus, minimum wage goes up for all--unless you are a major player in the Speaker's district. Classic, but nothing new.
As for new, arguably the world's biggest sports star has landed a major contract--up to $250,000,000 over 5 years (no need for minimum wage laws there!)--to come play soccer in Los Angeles. The MLS hopes David Beckham will revitalize the league, and bring professional soccer to the U.S. masses. Frankly, I hope he does. It is a great game, and the U.S. will only benefit in international play by increasing the popularity and professional opportunities at home.
$50 Mil a year for playing soccer sure beats fishing for tuna in American Samoa--for less than minimum wage. Maybe Pelosi will put a cap on earnings to balance the world out.
Have a great weekend,
Thomas More
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