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ProfessionalLeftist

(4,982 posts)
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 09:03 AM Mar 2013

Elizabeth Warren Debunks GOP Talking Points on Minimum Wage

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., continues her crusade against big financial institutions and businesses, this time tearing apart an argument by a restaurant owner who testified before a Senate panel Thursday that raising the minimum wage would force businesses like his to fire employees. Much like former Labor Secretary Robert Reich did in this video, Warren dismantled that popular right-wing talking point on why the minimum wage should not be increased.

When Warren pointed out during the hearing that McDonald’s could raise its wages to $10.10 an hour simply by increasing the cost of its meals 4 cents, David Rutigliano tried to argue that his full service restaurant doesn’t run the same way.

“McDonald’s has efficiencies and they operate completely differently than I do. I have many jobs, many jobs that pay well above minimum wage,” Rutigliano said. “We have a retirement plan. We offer health insurance to our salaried employees. So my business is a little different. I can’t raise a 4 cent price. I mean I don’t have, I don’t operate like a fast food restaurant. I would hope you appreciate the distinction.”


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http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/elizabeth_warren_debunks_gop_talking_points_on_minimum_wage_20130318/#.UUxU7V1X3Md.twitter
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Elizabeth Warren Debunks GOP Talking Points on Minimum Wage (Original Post) ProfessionalLeftist Mar 2013 OP
The linkage of minimum wage to productivity gains is devastating (to the big business argument). reformist2 Mar 2013 #1

reformist2

(9,841 posts)
1. The linkage of minimum wage to productivity gains is devastating (to the big business argument).
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 09:15 AM
Mar 2013

Is there really any excuse for not rewarding workers with at least some of those productivity gains? Wall Street has crowed about the modern economy's increasing productivity for decades now. It's beautiful seeing this metric shoved in their faces.
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