LETTERS

$15 an hour for the living wage

Posted 3/13/14

To the Editor:

Recently, politicians are waking up to the fact that $8 an hour does not cut the mustard. There has been talk that $10.10 is the goal to make everything Honky Dorey. The figure of …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
LETTERS

$15 an hour for the living wage

Posted

To the Editor:

Recently, politicians are waking up to the fact that $8 an hour does not cut the mustard. There has been talk that $10.10 is the goal to make everything Honky Dorey. The figure of $10.10 will do very little in getting reduction of food stamps or people financially challenged to get electricity or fuel and gas for heating. It is not a figure that will get people off of Welfare. Why would you take a job for $10.10 an hour and have to pay $3.50 a gallon of gas to get there, plus losing other benefits?

If you want to create 100,000 taxpayers, go to $15 per hour. This move will generate an enormous stimulus of spending, which will create jobs. People spending money create jobs.

Pass legislation guaranteeing any firm expanding in Rhode Island or company coming in that the state of Rhode Island will guarantee the difference of the minimum and living wage of $15 an hour for one year. The business must use Rhode Island people. This enticement is a firm committed for government and business to train Rhode Island people.

The impact of the additional payroll also gets them 20 percent from the Feds and 10 percent from the state as a write-off. It’s high time businesses get a stipend for collecting sales tax; this, again, will soften the impact.

Economic slavery must end. Those proud people who toil to survive should be guaranteed a survival income.

Elmer H. Gardiner

Warwick

Comments

2 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

  • JohnStark

    Mr. Gardiner-If I understand your plan, taxpayers would be on the hook for a portion of the salaries paid to private sector workers in Year One. But if government insertion into private contractual agreements is not enough, in Year Two companies would be required to almost double the salary they pay to low-skill workers. And this is remotely attractive to businesses...How? The "slaves" of whom you speak are free to apply their skills at whatever firm will pay them a price to which both parties agree. As long as there is no coercion or fraud, government should have no role in the entire process.

    Friday, March 14, 2014 Report this

  • patientman

    No mention of the increase in inflation that will then drive those earning $15 back onto social assistance programs.

    Monday, March 17, 2014 Report this