Topics in the News: Minimum Wage
Bill Richardson on Education
: Nov 15, 2007
Create science and math academies with 100,000 new teachers
The key to a good education is a strong teacher. One of the problems we have in this country is we disrespect teachers. We underpay them. I would have a minimum wage for all teachers starting out at $40,000 per year. We need to be bolder with
No Child Left Behind. I would junk it. This is a disaster. It's got to go. I would have preschool for every child. I would have full-day kindergarten. The US is 29th in science, to the European Union, to Japan.
We need to have science and math academies. Hire 100,000 science and math teachers. Have art in the schools. We need also to have a college education policy that deals with these huge loans that are killing our college students.
What I would do is in exchange for two years of tuition, government pays tuition, one year of national service to this country. Those are the kind of creative solutions we want in this country.
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Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Bill Richardson on Education
: Oct 30, 2007
Commit to extending school day and/or the school year
I'd commit to extending the school day and/or the school year, and have 100,000 new science and math teachers. We have to pay our teachers what they deserve, a minimum wage of what I believe is $40,000 per year.
I'd get rid of No Child Left Behind. I would have science & math academies, but in the high school curriculum it is critically important that we have more civics, more language, and art in the schools to provoke creativity in science and math proficiency
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Source: 2007 Democratic debate at Drexel University
Ron Paul on Jobs
: Sep 27, 2007
Minimum wage takes away opportunities, especially for blacks
Q: In 2006, the unemployment rate of Black high school graduates was 33% higher than the unemployment rate for white high school drop outs. What do you think accounts for that inequity?A: Walter Williams, a very astute free-market economist,
has studied this extensively, and he has found that prior to minimum wage laws there was no discrepancy like this. So he put a lot of blame on the minimum wage law. Once government gets interfering, this takes away opportunities.
And I believe there is a lot of truth to this because it eliminates an opportunity and a chance for a marginal worker. I have a bill in that might help a lot of people, Black or white or whomever. I have a bill in that would immediately help these
people who are trying to get a start, that they would never have to pay any taxes or payroll taxes, if they just happen to be a waiter or a waitress, to give them a chance to get ahead and get a good job.
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Source: 2007 GOP Presidential Forum at Morgan State University
Bill Richardson on Education
: Aug 19, 2007
Minimum wage for our teachers: $40,000 per year
Q: Are you for merit pay for teachers? A: No, I'm not for it. But what we need to do is pay our teachers better. They are disrespected. I have proposed a minimum wage for our teachers, $40,000 per year.
We are 29th in the world in math and science. We need to have 100,000 new math and science teachers. We have to be number one again.
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Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate on "This Week"
Chris Dodd on Jobs
: Jul 23, 2007
Couldn't afford living at minimum wage; advocates raising it
Q: If you're elected to serve as president, would you be willing to do this service for the next four years and be paid the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour?A: I have two young daughters who I'm trying to educate them.
I don't think I could live on the minimum wage, but I'm a strong advocate to seeing to it that we increase it at least to $9 or $10 to give people a chance out there to be able to provide for their families. That's leadership in the country.
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Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC
Mike Gravel on Jobs
: Jul 23, 2007
Minimum wage as president OK, but we need living wage
Q: If you're elected to serve as president, would you be willing to do this service for the next four years and be paid the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour?GRAVEL: Oh, yes, I would, but I would say that we don't need a minimum wage; we need a
living wage. We don't have that in this country because of what they passed.
DODD: I don't think I could live on the minimum wage, but I'm a strong advocate to seeing to it that we increase it at least to $9 or $10.
EDWARDS: Yes.
CLINTON: Sure.
OBAMA: We could afford to do it for a few years. Most folks can't. And that's why we've got to fight and advocate for [an increase].
Q: Would you serve at minimum wage?
RICHARDSON: Yes, I would.
BIDEN: I couldn't afford to stay in the Congress
for the minimum wage. But if I get a second job, I'd do it.
KUCINICH: I think we need to increase the minimum wage and so all my neighbors can get an increase in their wages.
Q: So would you work for it?
KUCINICH: I would. But I wouldn't want to.
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Source: [X-ref Clinton] 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate
John Edwards on Civil Rights
: Jul 23, 2007
Better advocate for women than Hillary Clinton
Q: Your wife Elizabeth said that you would be a better advocate for women than Senator Clinton. Was she right?EDWARDS: I think what Elizabeth was saying was that there are very important issues facing women in this country. More women are affected by
the minimum wage than men are affected by the minimum wage. There are more women in poverty than men in poverty. More women have difficulty getting the health care that they need than men do.
Q: So do you think you're a better advocate for women?
EDWARDS: Listen, Senator Clinton has a long history of speaking out on behalf of women. She deserves to be commended for that. But I believe that on the issues that directly affect women's lives, I have the strongest, boldest ideas and can bring about
the change that needs to be brought.
CLINTON: I appreciate greatly John's comments. But I think it's terrific that we're up here arguing about who's going to be better for women, because isn't that a nice change for everybody to hear.
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Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC
Hillary Clinton on Jobs
: Jul 23, 2007
No salary increase for Congress until minimum wage increased
I got to vote to raise the minimum wage. I put in legislation which said that Congress should not get a salary increase until they did raise the minimum wage, and
I am putting that back in, because I agree that by the time we got it raised after 10 years, it was already out of date.
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Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC
Dennis Kucinich on Jobs
: Jul 23, 2007
Would accept minimum wage as president, reluctantly
Q: If you're elected to serve as president, would you be willing to do this service for the next four years and be paid the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour?
A: I live in the same house I purchased in 1971 for $22,500. I think we need to increase the minimum wage and so all my neighbors can get an increase in their wages.
Q: So would you work for it?
A: I would. But I wouldn't want to.
Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.
Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC
John Edwards on Jobs
: Jul 23, 2007
Would accept minimum wage as president
Q: If you're elected to serve as president, would you be willing to do this service for the next four years and be paid the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour?GRAVEL: Oh, yes, I would, but I would say that we don't need a minimum wage; we need a
living wage. We don't have that in this country because of what they passed.
DODD: I don't think I could live on the minimum wage, but I'm a strong advocate to seeing to it that we increase it at least to $9 or $10.
EDWARDS: Yes.
CLINTON: Sure.
OBAMA: We could afford to do it for a few years. Most folks can't. And that's why we've got to fight and advocate for [an increase].
Q: Would you serve at minimum wage?
RICHARDSON: Yes, I would.
BIDEN: I couldn't afford to stay in the Congress
for the minimum wage. But if I get a second job, I'd do it.
KUCINICH: I think we need to increase the minimum wage and so all my neighbors can get an increase in their wages.
Q: So would you work for it?
KUCINICH: I would. But I wouldn't want to.
Click for John Edwards on other issues.
Source: [X-ref Clinton] 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate
Joe Biden on Jobs
: Jul 23, 2007
Couldn't afford living at minimum wage; advocates raising it
Q: If you're elected to serve as president, would you be willing to do this service for the next four years and be paid the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour?
A: My net worth is $70,000 to $150,000. That's what happens you get elected at 29. I couldn't afford to stay in the Congress for the minimum wage. But if I get a second job, I'd do it.
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Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC
Bill Richardson on Education
: Jul 23, 2007
Minimum wage of $40,000 for teachers
The key to a good education in this country is a strong teacher. I would have a minimum wage for all our teachers, $40,000 per year. And I would emphasize science and math.
And I would also bring, to make sure our kids that are not scoring well in science and math, 29th in the world, to unlock those minds in science and math, I would have a major federal program of art in the schools: music, dancing, sculpture, and the arts
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Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC
Hillary Clinton on Jobs
: Jul 23, 2007
Would accept minimum wage as president
Q: If you're elected to serve as president, would you be willing to do this service for the next four years and be paid the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour?GRAVEL: Oh, yes, I would, but I would say that we don't need a minimum wage; we need a
living wage. We don't have that in this country because of what they passed.
DODD: I don't think I could live on the minimum wage, but I'm a strong advocate to seeing to it that we increase it at least to $9 or $10.
EDWARDS: Yes.
CLINTON: Sure.
OBAMA: We could afford to do it for a few years. Most folks can't. And that's why we've got to fight and advocate for [an increase].
Q: Would you serve at minimum wage?
RICHARDSON: Yes, I would.
BIDEN: I couldn't afford to stay in the Congress
for the minimum wage. But if I get a second job, I'd do it.
KUCINICH: I think we need to increase the minimum wage and so all my neighbors can get an increase in their wages.
Q: So would you work for it?
KUCINICH: I would. But I wouldn't want to.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC
Bill Richardson on Jobs
: Jul 23, 2007
Would accept minimum wage as president
Q: If you're elected to serve as president, would you be willing to do this service for the next four years and be paid the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour?GRAVEL: Oh, yes, I would, but I would say that we don't need a minimum wage; we need a
living wage. We don't have that in this country because of what they passed.
DODD: I don't think I could live on the minimum wage, but I'm a strong advocate to seeing to it that we increase it at least to $9 or $10.
EDWARDS: Yes.
CLINTON: Sure.
OBAMA: We could afford to do it for a few years. Most folks can't. And that's why we've got to fight and advocate for [an increase].
Q: Would you serve at minimum wage?
RICHARDSON: Yes, I would.
BIDEN: I couldn't afford to stay in the Congress
for the minimum wage. But if I get a second job, I'd do it.
KUCINICH: I think we need to increase the minimum wage and so all my neighbors can get an increase in their wages.
Q: So would you work for it?
KUCINICH: I would. But I wouldn't want to.
Click for Bill Richardson on other issues.
Source: [X-ref Clinton] 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate
Barack Obama on Jobs
: Jul 23, 2007
Pres. candidates can afford minimum wage; most folks can't
Q: If you're elected to serve as president, would you be willing to do this service for the next four years and be paid the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour?EDWARDS: Yes.
CLINTON: Sure.
OBAMA: Well, we can afford to work for the
minimum wage because most folks on this stage have a lot of money. I mean, we don't have Mitt Romney money, but we could afford to do it for a few years. Most folks can't. And that's why we've got to fight and advocate for.
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Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC
Bill Richardson on Welfare & Poverty
: Jun 28, 2007
Strategy to deal with poverty: unions; living wage; EITC
What we need is a strategy to deal with poverty. Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. Increase the minimum wage. Have a living wage in this country. Find ways to expand child care.
Find ways also to let Americans join a union. This will not only give them more health care but more accountability and the ability to protect themselves.
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Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University
Bill Richardson on Education
: Jun 28, 2007
Nobody asks how we pay for war; why do we ask on education?
Sometimes when I talk about education, the first thing you hear is, how are you going to pay for it? Nobody asks how we're going to pay for the war. But it's important to state that improving our schools, improving education, access to education to all
Americans, should be America's foremost priority. You know, I want to just state that for the record, I am for a minimum wage for teachers. The key to a good education is to pay our teachers and have accountability.
And we have to make sure that
we deal with this achievement gap. One out of two minorities in this country, one out of two African-American, Latino kids don't make it through high school. They drop out. That has to be combated with at-risk programs, with programs that deal with
more parental involvement. We have to start early, universal preschool. We did this in New Mexico. Kids under 4 have full-day kindergarten. And finally, we have to find a way to give every American access to a college education.
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Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University
Barack Obama on Jobs
: Jun 19, 2007
Make the minimum wage a living wage
It's time to turn the page for all those Americans who want nothing more than to have a job that can pay the bills and raise a family. Let's finally make the minimum wage a living wage. Let's tie it to the cost of living so we don't have to wait another
10 years to see it rise. Let's put the jobless back to work in transitional jobs that can give them a paycheck and a sense of pride. Let's help our workers advance with job training and lifelong education.
Let's invest in infrastructure, broadband lines, and rural communities and in inner cities. Let's give jobs to ex-offenders--because we believe in giving a second chance to people.
And let's finally allow our unions to do what they do best and lift up the middle class in this country once more.
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Source: Take Back America 2007 Conference
Bill Richardson on Principles & Values
: Apr 26, 2007
Biggest mistake is impatience, like pushing minimum wage
Q What is the most significant political or professional mistake you have made in the past four years? A: I'm impatient. I try to change institutions in my state rapidly. I'm too aggressive. One instance: In New Mexico, I desperately wanted a year ago
to increase the minimum wage to $7.50. And instead of pursuing diplomacy, for which I'm known for, instead of consultation, I tried to ram it through my legislature. We finally got it done a year later. But I've made a lot of mistakes. I'm not perfect.
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Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC
John Edwards on Jobs
: Apr 2, 2007
Strong unions can make services foundation of middle class
We must build an economy that values work. That means guaranteeing workers a meaningful right to organize. With strong unions, service jobs can be the foundation of the middle class, as manufacturing jobs once were.
That means raising the minimum wage, which in 2006 reached its lowest point since 1955. Some willing workers cannot find jobs without skills, experience, or references.
We know that innovative programs can help these workers. And we know--because we have seen it work--that the government can create short-term jobs to serve as stepping-stones,
helping people work their way out of poverty now and get the experience they need for better jobs in the future.
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Source: Ending Poverty in America, by John Edwards, p.260-261
Bill Richardson on Jobs
: Mar 14, 2007
Increase the minimum wage to $7.50
The middle class is straining with wages that are not moving up. When I return to New Mexico tonight, I hope on my desk will be legislation that increases the minimum wage to $7.50.
The minimum wage has not gone up in 9 years, while the Congress has given itself a pay raise 11 times. Most of the action that helps our union families happens in the states.
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Source: 2007 IAFF Presidential Forum in Washington DC
John Cox on Jobs
: Mar 6, 2007
No minimum wage; let free market set wages
Q: Under a Cox administration, will you support the current federal minimum wage? A: I do not support the minimum wage or have the government setting wages or prices.
This always has backfired in American history. The free market is the best place to set wages.
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Source: Interview with "Small Government Times"
Sam Brownback on Corporations
: Feb 2, 2007
Favored Sarbanes-Oxley bill against corporate malfeasance
Sen. Brownback's record on regulation is generally pro-growth with just a few exceptions. His votes include:- Voted against raising the minimum wage (Roll Call #257, 10/19/05) (Roll Call #179, 06/21/06)
- Voted against the Patients' Bill of
Rights, which allowed the government to impose a set of onerous mandates on insurance coverage instead of allowing individuals to make their own decisions in the marketplace (Roll Call # 220, 06/29/01)
- Voted against increasing restrictions on tobacco
companies (Roll Call #161, 06/17/98)
- At the same time, Senator Brownback has cast some votes that increase burdensome government regulations. The most unfortunate of these was his vote (admittedly along with all his Senate colleagues) in favor of the
Sarbanes-Oxley legislation, an overreaction to corporate malfeasance that imposed heavy financial burdens on companies (Roll Call #192, 07/25/02).
- He has also supported the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (Brownback press release, 10/27/03).
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Source: Club for Growth, "Second Presidential White Paper"
John Edwards on Jobs
: Nov 17, 2006
Increase minimum wage at state level, since feds won't do it
Because Republicans in Washington have not increased the minimum wage in over a decade, we are taking on the fight ourselves. The One America Committee is working with grassroots coalitions in Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Ohio, Montana and
Missouri to organize and pass minimum wage ballot initiatives in 2006. A job should be a bridge out of poverty-an opportunity to achieve the American Dream. But for America's minimum wage workers, especially those with families, it is not.
Today, a minimum wage worker earns just under $11,000 annually-about $5,000 less than the amount needed to lift a family of three out of poverty.
Although Americans overwhelmingly support raising the federal minimum wage, the
Bush Administration and Republican Congressional leaders have repeatedly blocked attempts to raise the current federal rate of $5.15 per hour-even though it was established almost a decade ago.
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Source: PAC website, www.OneAmericaCommittee.com, "Action"
Barack Obama on Jobs
: Oct 1, 2006
Working full-time should mean enough to support a family
Americans believe that if we work full-time, we should be able to support ourselves and our kids. For many people, this basic promise is not being fulfilled.Government policies can help, with little impact on market efficiency.
We can raise the minimum wage. It may be true that any big jumps in the minimum wage discourage employers from hiring. But when the minimum wage has not been changed in nine years and has less purchasing power in real dollars than it did in
1955, so that someone working full-time today in a minimum wage job does not earn enough to raise out of poverty, such arguments carry less force.
The Earned Income Tax Credit provides low-wage workers with supplemental income through the tax code should be expanded and streamlined so more families can take advantage of it.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama, p.180-181
Hillary Clinton on Jobs
: Jun 14, 2006
Minimum wage should be tied to congressional salaries
We can start by standing up for an economy that honors work again. It is unacceptable that people working for a minimum wage have not had a raise in 10 years! Wouldn't it be nice if they were given a chance to get beyond the stagnating wages?
Productivity is up, profits are up, but people's wages are not up. I have introduced legislation that would tie the minimum wage to congressional salaries. No more increases for Congress until we raise the minimum wage!
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Source: Annual 2006 Take Back America Conference
Barack Obama on Jobs
: Sep 28, 2004
Overrode federal overtime rules and raised the minimum wage
Obama was the driving force behind Illinois' Earned Income Tax Credit, which has provided more than $100 million in tax relief to working families. He was the chief sponsor of the law that exempts Illinois from the Bush Administration's new federal
overtime rules and protects overtime pay for thousands of Illinois workers. He voted to increase the minimum wage to $6.50 an hour. He sponsored a law that ensures workers have advance warning if their employer is about to conduct a mass lay-off.
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Source: Campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.org, "On the Issues"
John Edwards on Civil Rights
: Aug 10, 2004
Raising the minimum wage is a working women's issue
Women make up only 48 percent of the overall American workforce, but 61 percent of the people who will get a raise when we increase the minimum wage. People who live on the minimum wage do not get cost of living adjustments - every year that their costs
climb but the minimum wage stays the same is another year people living on the minimum wage can afford less. Economists believe the primary reason the wage gap expanded between middle- and low-wage women in the 1980s was the erosion in the minimum wage.
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Source: [Xref Kerry] Our Plan for America , p. 22
John Edwards on Welfare & Poverty
: Aug 10, 2004
Raise the minimum wage and training fund to help the poor
We will raise the minimum wage to $7.00 an hour by 2007. At this minimum wage a family of four with a full-time worker would no longer be forced to raise their children in poverty, increase tax credits for child care, an essential ingredient in ensuring
the continued success of work-based welfare reform; defend and strengthen the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), increasing the reward to work for the most hard-pressed families and lifting millions out of poverty; invest in programs like Youthbuild that
educate and prepare disadvantaged young people for jobs; encourage more women and minorities to pursue degrees in math and science, which lead to high paying jobs; invest in lifelong learning so that workers of all skill levels can access education and
training to move up to better, higher paying jobs; and encourage entrepreneurship in all our communities through initiatives like the New Markets venture capital initiative.
Click for John Edwards on other issues.
Source: [Xref Kerry] Our Plan for America , p. 22
John Edwards on Welfare & Poverty
: Jul 28, 2004
Raise minimum wage so full-time workers are out of poverty
There are men & women who are living up to their bargain, working hard and supporting their families. Their families are doing their part; it's time we did our part. We're going to raise the minimum wage, we're going to finish the job on welfare reform,
and we're going to bring good-paying jobs to the places where we need them the most. And by doing all those things, we're going to say no forever to any American working full-time and living in poverty. Not in our America, not in our America.
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Source: Acceptance speech to the Democratic National Convention
John Edwards on Welfare & Poverty
: Jul 28, 2004
Moral responsibility to help 35 million Americans in poverty
We can do something about 35 million Americans who live in poverty every day. And here's why we shouldn't just talk about, but do something about it: because it is wrong. And we have a moral responsibility to lift those families up.
We have children going to bed hungry? We have children who don't have the clothes to keep them warm? We have millions of Americans who work full-time every day to support their families, working for minimum wage, and still live in poverty. It's wrong.
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Source: Acceptance speech to the Democratic National Convention
Barack Obama on Jobs
: Jun 21, 2004
Increase IL minimum wage to $6.50 an hour
A PROVEN RECORD: As a State Senator, Barack Obama has spent his career fighting for Illinois' working families. - Protected overtime pay.
Obama was the chief sponsor of the law that exempts Illinois from the Bush Administration's new federal overtime rules and protects overtime pay for thousands of Illinois workers. [SB 1645, 2004]
- Provided a living wage.
Obama voted to increase the minimum wage to $6.50 an hour. [SB600, 2003]
- Worked to ensure advance notice for workers. Obama sponsored the law that requires the monitoring of employer compliance
with federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification laws, so that workers have advance warning if their employer is about to conduct a mass lay-off or close their plant.. [SB0062, 2001]
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Source: Press Release, "Creating Jobs in America"
John Edwards on Jobs
: Mar 3, 2004
Greater protection for unionization
I support job training programs, an increase in the minimum wage, greater protection for unionization, and greater help for Americans balancing work and families.
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Source: 2004 Presidential National Political Awareness Test
John Edwards on Jobs
: Jan 25, 2004
Raise minimum wage to at least $6.65
Q: What increases, if any, do you favor in the $5.15 an hour federal minimum wage?A: I believe that low-income working people deserve better and support an increase in the minimum wage of at least $1.50.
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Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, "Minimum Wage"
Dennis Kucinich on Jobs
: Jan 25, 2004
Raise minimum wage to over $8.50
Q: What increases, if any, do you favor in the $5.15 an hour federal minimum wage?A: I favor restoring the value that has been lost to inflation over the past 35 years,
which would mean a minimum wage of over $8.50. I favor indexing this to automatically keep pace with the cost of living.
Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.
Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, "Minimum Wage"
John Edwards on Welfare & Poverty
: Jan 22, 2004
We need to talk about 35 million who live in poverty
There's been no discussion about 35 million Americans who live in poverty. Millions of Americans who work full-time for minimum wage and live in poverty. In a country of our wealth and prosperity, we have children going to bed hungry. We have children
who don't have the clothes to keep them warm. Maybe on some poll, that may not be a big issue, but it's important. The Democratic presidential candidates have a moral responsibility to talk about it and do something about it, because it's wrong.
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Source: Democratic 2004 Primary Debate at St. Anselm College
Dennis Kucinich on Welfare & Poverty
: Aug 1, 2003
Education is only solution to alleviate poverty
Congress should strive to reduce poverty as its goal. Education is the only solution proven to reduce poverty levels. Encourage people to get career training or work toward a college degree, GED, other degree or learn English.
A college degree translates to a living wage job that allows people to live self-sufficiently and move from welfare programs for good.
Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.
Source: Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues"
Dennis Kucinich on Abortion
: Aug 1, 2003
All men & women have right to make difficult moral decisions
In our society, all women and all men have a right to make difficult moral decisions and make personal choices.
I want to work to make sure that, when life is brought forward, we have prenatal care and postnatal care and childcare and universal health care and a living wage.
Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.
Source: Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues"
John Edwards on Jobs
: Jul 17, 2003
Increase the minimum wage again
Edwards believes America's workers deserve fair pay for their hard work. Today, the minimum wage, in real dollars, is worth less than it was in 1968.
That is why Edwards has consistently voted for increasing the minimum wage and believes we need to increase it again, which is why he is currently cosponsoring a Senate bill to increase the minimum wage in the Senate.
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Source: Campaign website, johnedwards2004.com, "Key Issues"
Dennis Kucinich on Abortion
: Apr 1, 2003
Prevention, education, & health care, to minimize abortions
I want to work to make abortions less necessary, which means sex education and birth control.
I want to work to make sure that, when life is brought forward, we have prenatal care and postnatal care and childcare and universal health care and a living wage.
Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.
Source: Campaign website, www.Kucinich.org, "On The Issues"
Al Gore on Principles & Values
: Nov 2, 2000
Bush’s record indicates he’s not ready to lead America
As governor, George W. Bush gave big oil a tax break while opposing health care for 220,000 kids. Texas now ranks 50th in family health care. He’s left the minimum wage at $3.35 an hour, let polluters police themselves. Today, Texas
ranks last in air quality. Now Bush promises the same $1 trillion from Social Security to two different groups. He squanders the surplus on a tax cut for those making over $300,000. Is he ready to lead America?
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Source: TV advertisement by Gore campaign
Al Gore on Welfare & Poverty
: Sep 30, 2000
Strengthen voluntary charity as well as federal welfare
Al Gore thinks the government can do a lot to help poor Americans, although he, like Bush, wants to strengthen the voluntary sector. Gore would:- increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.15 an hour
- expand the
Earned-Income tax credit
- crack down on “deadbeat dads” and force them to pay child support
- encourage businesses to move into poor areas
- make sure people eligible for food stamps and
Medicaid actually get them
- expand the child and dependent-care tax credit and make it refundable
- expand federal spending on child-care subsidies
- give all four-year-olds (not just poor ones) access to pre-school
education
- strengthen Social Security benefits for elderly women living alone
Click for Al Gore on other issues.
Source: The Economist, “Issues 2000” special
Al Gore on Jobs
: Sep 6, 2000
Reduce poverty to 10% via welfare reform & minimum wage
In the last eight years, poverty has fallen to its lowest level in a generation - in large measure because of our strong economy. But we can do better: we should all fight to reduce child poverty.
And I am committed to taking concrete steps to see to it that fewer than one in ten Americans - children and adults -- will live in poverty by the end of the next Presidential term.
- Let’s raise the minimum wage and the Earned Income Tax Credit, so that work always pays more than welfare.
- Let’s move more and more families from welfare to work.
- Let’s help
more working parents pay for child care - which can make all the difference in getting and keeping a full-time job.
- Let’s make dramatic reductions in poverty among the elderly.
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Source: Speech, “Prosperity For America’s Families,” Cleveland, OH
Al Gore on Welfare & Poverty
: Jan 8, 2000
Reduce child poverty via tax credits & minimum wage
Q. The US has the highest rate of child poverty of any major Western industrialized nation. There are 13.5 million American children living in poverty. What specific plans do you have to reduce child poverty in America?
A. I will work tirelessly to
reduce child poverty through a number of measures, including: expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit; expanding federal programs to provide health care and nutrition to children in need; and raising the minimum wage. One more thing we can do immediately
to help alleviate child poverty is to ensure and help more “deadbeat dads” acknowledge paternity, go to work and pay child support. As President, I will continue the Clinton/Gore Administration’s successful efforts to make more fathers take
responsibility and help them play a constructive role in lives of their children. And I will keep working to find new ways to tackle the critical problem of child poverty.
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Source: National Association of Children’s Hospitals survey
Hillary Clinton on Welfare & Poverty
: Jan 1, 2000
Working should mean no poverty
No one who takes the responsibility to work hard every day should have to raise their family in poverty, Hillary says. That’s why she supports raising the minimum wage, and equal pay for equal work. She
worked with former Treasury Secretary Bob Rubin to increase microcredit programs, which make investment capital available to small businesses.
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Source: www.hillary2000.org “About Hillary”
Hillary Clinton on Jobs
: Oct 24, 1999
The working poor deserve a living wage
We should be working to keep a basic bargain with all Americans: If you work hard and are responsible, you will not live in poverty. If you study this issue, you can clearly see it will not hurt the economy, it will not
increase unemployment. There are those who have opposed an increase in the minimum wage, arguing that it will cost jobs, and there are some people who say we need more studies.. They are wrong.
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Source: Speech in Queens
Hillary Clinton on Jobs
: Sep 28, 1999
America can afford to raise the minimum wage
America can afford to raise the minimum wage. The last time it was raised was in 1966, 10 million Americans got a raise and the economy continued to create jobs at a unprecedented pace. Raising the
minimum wage is certainly an American issue and a human issue. But it is particularly a woman’s issue. It is also a children’s issue and a family issue.
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Source: Remarks at Minimum Wage Event, Capitol Hill
Al Gore on Jobs
: Aug 18, 1999
Add $1 to minimum wage; add earned-income credits
Gore has called for a $1 hike in the minimum wage, an increase in the earned-income tax credit for married couples, and government funding for universal preschool -- which could ease the day care crunch for working parents.
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Source: Ronald Brownstein, Boston Globe, p. A23