Becky Watson – 7/23/06

This page was last updated on July 25, 2006.

Workers deserved raise; Becky Watson; Beaver County Times; July 23, 2006.

There’s been a flurry of “I like Mike” letters the past week. I can only assume this was orchestrated.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“I have read several articles in The Times, and Jeff Davis (‘Praise Veon for wage hike,’ Tuesday) and one other writer had it about right.

“One thing they didn’t mention was that the Republicans really slaughtered the minimum wage increase, and the Democrats went with this, because the Republicans don’t want the increase.”

[RWC] What did Ms. Watson mean by “Republicans really slaughtered the minimum wage increase?” Did she mean it wasn’t large enough?

“Don’t you know by now that the Republicans don’t want the poor to get anything more, but they sure do want the vote at election time.”

[RWC] Ah, nothing like a slur. Yeah, we Republicans sure are a mean lot. This reminds of a woman who wrote on the Beaver County Coalition for Social Justice forum that I like to see babies die.

“All the states around us are getting $8 an hour for their slave labor. If all minimum-wage people went on strike, and the big shots had to do their hard labor for less, and sweat a little, they would soon find out what the lower-income people are worth, and it really isn’t $7.15 an hour.”

[RWC] “Slave labor?” Following a slur, you know Ms. Watson can’t present a credible defense of her position if she feels she must resort to ridiculous terms like “slave labor.”

If your work is worth more, then find someone willing to pay you what you believe you’re worth. Apparently Ms. Watson believes you have a right to be paid what you think you’re worth instead of being paid for the economic value of your work.

Regarding the “big shots” comment, I believe Ms. Watson would find “big shots” work far harder than the vast majority of minimum wage recipients. I suspect you’ll also find most “big shots” received a minimum wage at one time but worked their way up the ladder. In most cases, you’re paid minimum wage because you have no skills and/or you are working in an entry-level position. The minimum wage is not intended to be a so-called “living wage.”

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, only about 0.7% of workers in Pennsylvania receive the minimum wage.¹ I don’t like to cite facts from op-ed columns, but I’ve had good luck when I’ve followed up on facts cited in the Trib.

I agree with Ms. Watson that many minimum wage recipients aren’t worth $7.15/hour, or even the current $5.15/hour.

“People complain that there are so many on welfare, but who does this to them?”

[RWC] Apparently Ms. Watson doesn’t understand that a minimum wage is the same as welfare, except it comes via a paycheck instead of a government check.

“Well, it’s your Republicans.”

[RWC] Sorry, Ms. Watson, people put themselves on welfare. If it’s Republicans who keep people poor, perhaps Ms. Watson can explain why there are poor people in Louisiana. After all, Democrats have controlled Louisiana and New Orleans almost exclusively for over 100 years. Why aren’t they worker paradises?

“Seems the more you make the more they take. Gas goes up. Food goes up. People, you better wake up and smell the pollution before it’s too late.”

[RWC] Republicans control food and gasoline prices?

“Another thing I want to mention, the Republicans haven’t wanted this pay raise for a couple of years. One or two people who need credit for this are Mike Veon and Gerald LaValle.”

[RWC] True Republicans don’t want a minimum wage at all because it does exactly the opposite of what people like Ms. Watson claim. I’ve covered this topic before.

Messrs. LaValle and Veon should get credit for the fact that “Republicans haven’t wanted this pay raise for a couple of years?”

“Oh yes, when election time comes, remember that these two deserve your vote.

“It takes a long time before you can get a state whip, and one in your locality, and with Veon’s caliber.”

[RWC] Unfortunately, it’s pretty easy to get a career politician – Democrat or Republican – “with Veon’s caliber.” That’s the problem.

1. Real wages in the real world; Bill Steigerwald; Pittsburgh Tribune-Review; July 23, 2006.