John Edwards for President-Give Workers a Raise

Give Workers a Raise

Jun 17, 2006

Dear Friend,

I just spoke to Senator Ted Kennedy. He needs our help.

Next week — possibly as early as Monday — the Senate will vote on his bill to increase the minimum wage. This will be the only time the Senate takes up the minimum wage this year — and we have to make a strong showing of support.

Sign the petition and tell your friends about it.

Where I come from, what matters the most isn't how much you have, it's how hard you're willing to work. Work gives pride, dignity, and hope to our lives and our communities.

But too many families are working full-time and have nothing to show for it. They are raising their kids in poverty and living in fear that one health crisis or pink slip will drive them over the edge. A single mom with two kids who works full-time for the minimum wage is about $2,000 below the poverty line.

The minimum wage has been stuck at $5.15 per hour for ten years — while costs for health care, housing, childcare, transportation and everything else have skyrocketed. It's a disgrace — but not a surprise — that poverty is up for the fourth year in a row.

It is time — past time — to reward work with an increase in the federal minimum wage.

I was honored and excited that Senator Kennedy had learned about the power of our online community. He's put his faith in us. Now we need to deliver our signatures to him.

Sign the petition and ask your friends to sign.

You've heard me talk about the two Americas. One America that does the work, another America that reaps the reward. One America that pays the taxes, another America that gets the tax breaks. One America that will do anything to leave its children a better life, another America that never has to do a thing because its children are already set for life.

Senator Kennedy's bill would increase the minimum wage in three increments to $7.25 an hour. That's an important step toward creating One America. One America where you have something to show for it if you work full-time — a savings account, your own home, the chance to live in a good neighborhood with good schools, and the ability to afford college.

Believe me, the lobbyists for the business interests that oppose increasing the minimum wage have tremendous influence over Congress. It's up to us to help level the playing field. We need to show our strength in numbers — please encourage your friends and colleagues to become co-sponsors of Senator Kennedy's bill as well.

Sign the petition and ask your friends to sign.

Thank you for taking action and for all that you do.

Your Friend,

John