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 McDonalds 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 doesnt run the same way.
McDonalds 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 cant raise a 4 cent price. I mean I dont have, I dont operate like a fast food restaurant. I would hope you appreciate the distinction.
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