cool chart. a bit simplistic, but interesting.

I must laugh at the McCain claim to raise min wage to a big 7.25 an hour. That will really help families, especially the mother's working two and three jobs to survive with their family. He really knows the reality of the people.

Bella raising it to 9.50 will cause small business to lay off people thus raising the unemployment rate.

Cool chart. Thanks, SavySugar, for posting it!

$7.25 is nothing when you live in the big city like Boston.

They left out MANDATORY in Clinton's health care description and that she will fix the NAFTA problems that SHE is partially responsible for.

Thus, the poor stays poor.

I also forgot to add, $7.50 paying for rent, utilities, transportation whether a car or public, health insurance, and child care.

There is a difference between state minimum wage and federal minimum wage. Minimum wage in California right now is $8 but federal is only $5.85.

I also would be interested to know how many people making minimum wage are actually supporting a family. I think that raising sky high doesn't really account for all of the high school kids bagging groceries out in the midwest where the cost of living is extremely low.

I know of plenty of people on min wage supporting a family. Either they are working 2 jobs or their sig. other is also working min wage.

Also 8.00 is great for min wage but not all states are like this.

Where I live (also Boston), there are more people than you might think who are earning either minimum wage, or close to it, and trying to not only raise their own families, but helping to support their parents, mainly because they can't afford to move out on such a paltry wage. When people say "poor", they don't really think that there are people out there who are living more than one family, or more than 2 generations in a household. Sometimes, it can't be helped, because there is always someone out there who'll do your job for less, so it's hard to get a better wage.

Unfortunately, people in positions of power (need I point out who those people might be?) don't see that, because in most cases, it's never been their experience.

Have to agree with Hillary on the green research. We need more of that.

I don't see how repealing an *optional*, alternative tax is going to save money. I mean, it might save lazy people money, or people who can't read a form, but ... it's OPTIONAL. Seriously, you don't have to use the AMT when you file.

Is it just me, or is it clear who is out to protect the people, and who is backing big business...?

Why am I not surprised Ron Paul isn't on here?! God forbid people actually read about the things he stands for, even if he isn't a frontrunning candidate.

Where do some of these people live to think that people are not struggling in this country? There are a big percentage of people who are one pay check from being homeless. There are people who lost their jobs and have to work min wage not only to survive but because they can't find work. It is not always a family living beyond their means but simple facts that there are people who are trying to live. There are many people who are working to support themselves, children, parents, you name it. Kaenai, it is very refreshing to here someone else who knows the reality. I just can't believe how many people on this site that play the card that of ignorance to believe that there are not poor people. Not middle-class but poor. I am not discussing a candidate but about the people in this country. Do not live in a bubble people, go down to the homeless shelter, soup kitchen, volunteer and you will meet these people, look next door. Making less than 20k a year is a fact for so many people. They get by and not all of them are on any aid from the government, they are proud people, law abiding people, and hard working people.

I hate the fact that hillary and obama are against the american dream...you work your BUTT OFF to get to the top and make a healthy salary and they think it's perfectly fine to tax you to death to support others. That's BS. they dont support MY american dream...to spend MY WELL-EARNED money on what i want. Not on more taxes just because i make more. UGH. disgusting.

and FYI...i'm NOT yet living my dream, but i'm working hard to get there, and i struggle month to month...but when i get to the top I dont need the the govt taking all my money.

bella, I came from a very poor background. I remember being able to see my breath in my bedroom because it was so cold in our house.

But I graduated high school, went on the get a bachelors degree in art and a masters in business. I took out loans to pay for everything... but the interest is tax deductable and the payments are more than manageable because I have a great job.

My point is that minimum wage only puts a band-aid on the bigger problem- lack of education and drive. Whatever you were born into, you can get yourself out. Raising minimum wage only takes away the incentive for people to make good decisions, such as going to school.

Furthermore, it creates an illegal labor market. People are more than willing to come here and work illegally for less than minimum wage. They are not paying taxes on this money and they are taking jobs away from citizens who won't be hired for less than the minimum wage.

sophia_HL, I understand where you are coming from since I too came from this background. My family did not have heat or hot water some winters. My statement was for the fact that people do not believe that some people are living min wage and are actually poor. Yes, you can go to school and finish. But, if you are going to school and only have a 3rd grade reading level, it's hard for you to go to college. Most students, I deal with want to go to college, they work hard but its not good enough because of their background leads them to go to schools where no one cares, their parents didn't finish, and can't help, their lack of education hurts their chances. So, they are working min wage jobs. There are not a lot of programs out here for people who can't read, there are great volunteers I work with and we help but I do not think that people actually believe that people struggle. Yes, you got out and made something of yourself, I applaud you. But there are many people who struggle with basically reading and yes their school passed them along. So, what we do then punish them. Who says they do not work hard at their min wage job, that they do not do the training that Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, or even McD's provide and go beyond. Why do we as Americans look down on people, when they are trying to survive. I am referring to Americans only.

sophia_HL, I understand where you are coming from since I too came from this background. My family did not have heat or hot water some winters. My statement was for the fact that people do not believe that some people are living min wage and are actually poor. Yes, you can go to school and finish. But, if you are going to school and only have a 3rd grade reading level, it's hard for you to go to college. Most students, I deal with want to go to college, they work hard but its not good enough because of their background leads them to go to schools where no one cares, their parents didn't finish, and can't help, their lack of education hurts their chances. So, they are working min wage jobs. There are not a lot of programs out here for people who can't read, there are great volunteers I work with and we help but I do not think that people actually believe that people struggle. Yes, you got out and made something of yourself, I applaud you. But there are many people who struggle with basically reading and yes their school passed them along. So, what we do then punish them. Who says they do not work hard at their min wage job, that they do not do the training that Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, or even McD's provide and go beyond. Why do we as Americans look down on people, when they are trying to survive. I am referring to Americans only.

Also why is there an elitist attitude that people who min wage do not have degrees or don't go school. Some people work min wage, take care of their kids, and go to school. There are a lot of people at unemployment that have bachelor degree. There are people that have Bachelor degrees who are trying to get jobs and are working min wage jobs to survive. They must be lazy too. At least they are working.

Bella, I agree with much of what you saying concerning the failure of the school systems.

My experience has been that a majority of people who are unable to make changes in their lives are a product of their families and cannot see the opportunities in front of them. Some of them have also been involved with drugs.

You say that we are punishing them with low wages. I believe that we are temporarily fixing things by throwing money at the problem... but when the rise in minimum wage causes inflation and the cost of goods rises, well then we are right back to square one.

There has to be a better solution to poverty than this. A long term solution.

I never said that we are punishing them for low wages. I believe everyone deserves a fair wage. Let's just say an employee is working at a family own business and they have been working there for 5 years and making the same pay and when asked for a raise they are fired months later for "understaffing" and or "a made up reason" that is unfair. Some states are employer states, that mean they can fire you for no reason, they do not have to give you a reason. Yes, they can look for a better job. But, just think the people who serve you, the customer service reps (yes, some companies pay min wage, etc) --if they weren't there who would do their job. Some of these people are making less that 15k a year. Is that fair. I never say throw money at the problem. I am just saying don't down someone because of what they do b/c some of these people work D*** hard at their job. However, there are people who do not work but there is always two sides to the coin and story.

interesting. This is off-topic, but what happened to seeing the '50 comments' thing at the bottom of the story on the news feed? I liked being able to click on it and go right to the Post new comment box instead of having to scroll down when I click 'read more'. I use the my.teamsugar feature, so is that what messed up? I liked the comment part

interesting. This is off-topic, but what happened to seeing the '50 comments' thing at the bottom of the story on the news feed? I liked being able to click on it and go right to the Post new comment box instead of having to scroll down when I click 'read more'. I use the my.teamsugar feature, so is that what messed up? I liked the comment part

interesting. This is off-topic, but what happened to seeing the '50 comments' thing at the bottom of the story on the news feed? I liked being able to click on it and go right to the Post new comment box instead of having to scroll down when I click 'read more'. I use the my.teamsugar feature, so is that what messed up? I liked the comment part

sorry about the multiple post! the page wouldn't load

good info. thanks!!

Interesting, but vague.
Thanks, Savvy!

Wow Brookrene. I'm a little touched that your hope and belief in the american dream is so strong. I am a recruiter and I here from people every day that were working hard, trying to take care of their families, went to college, and yet are still out of work due to 9/11 layoffs or outsourcing. So for these people, who are avidly looking for positions to help them still achieve their dream, I don't think needing unemployment or other help to keep their kids healthy and fed is a crime. They shouldn't tax the better paid to death, but taxes are necessary, and how else are we going to get the money to take care of the people that are being forgotten in this industrial shift?

also, go Ron Paul! He advocates these types of taxes and programs on more of a state level rather than federal so each state can spend the money on things that they need more specifically. check him out

oops, hear*

I hate that when Hillary's universal healthcare is called into question it is called being penalized if you don't have it. People with insurance are already penalized for people who don't have insurance. Also, it's talked about like it's going to be a huge payment. I wish she would talk about it more like your Social Security and Medicare payments from your checks, since that's how it would be. Also, think about the people that don't have car insurance yet drive. Ask any insurance person....we pay more for our insurance because of the uninsured. Heck, I pay that extra un- and underinsured portion so I don't get screwed if I am in an accident with one of them. I think that healthcare is the same. We are all already paying more because of people who don't have insurance. If everyone was covered, through personal, business and government payments then it would be cheaper across the board. Now, if we could just get Canadian prescription prices, we'd be even better off!

I was unaware of Hillary's idea of tying minimum wage hikes to Congressional wage hikes. They give themselves pay hikes all the time, lol! This is a great idea! Since we know they want more all the time, this is a great idea to keep them in check and to remember their constituents.....you get a raise..so do they!

As for $9.50 causing small businesses to fold and thus upping U/C, I disagree. This might happen in pockets or for a short time, but what it would be doing is actually strengthening small biz. There are way too many companies that exist on the fringe of government compliance and making payroll as it is. I suggest small businesses use PEOs to get them in check and that they work harder....I have seen way too many small biz owners take $ from their companies instead of investing in needed upgrades and compliance/safety issues and place "big fish in a little pond". Not all do this of course, but a lot do. Some humility, hard work and fair treatment/fair pay would a lot to stabilize small businesses.

Before anyone rants to me about how their family or friend runs their small biz with pride and adheres to every law, let me say this: I work (and have done so for years) with small to medium sized companies nationwide and I can say that while some are run superbly, most are in disarray and hanging on for months, even years to keep themselves going.

oops. that should be "*play* big fish/little pond. =)

You go Daisie!!!!

Can someone tell me why that chart has no specifics for Barack? Oh, wait...he has none!