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Thursday, March 12, 2009

Legislature / Politics / Woods State Senate Takes a Stand Against Living Wages for Working Tennesseans

Posted by Jeff Woods on Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 10:19 AM

click to enlarge These little goobers sang "Rocky Top" and the Davy Crockett theme song for legislators today. When they grow up, they'll have to leave the state to make a living wage.
  • These little goobers sang "Rocky Top" and the Davy Crockett theme song for legislators today. When they grow up, they'll have to leave the state to make a living wage.
Our state legislators took a break from the Culture War this morning to do their part to make life a little harder for working Tennesseans. By a vote of 18-13, the Senate decided to take away the power of city and county governments to require contractors to pay a living wage to their workers. This bill is brought to us by one of Pith's favorite senators--the Republican homophobe Paul Stanley of ritzy Germantown. It mainly would apply to Memphis, where the city forces its contractors to pay the princely sum of $10 an hour. "We all want workers to make as much as they can," Stanley patiently explained to all the ignorant bleeding heart liberals in the Senate. "But the free market system does the best job of determining those wages." A couple of senators from Memphis argued against Stanley's bill. "If you think you could live on $10 an hour, I'd like to come take some tips from you," Sen. Beverly Marrero said. "We're talking about really hard working poor people here." Sen. Jim Kyle said he appreciated Stanley's interest in the working people of Memphis. "He doesn't represent Memphis," Kyle noted. "Perhaps he drives through there every now and then. Perhaps not." Kyle asked, "What would Ronald Reagan think about this bill?" He pointed out that Reagan opposed big government, but today's Republicans seem to like it when they can use it to keep down the little guy. "Where will this stop?" Kyle asked.

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Well, we can certainly trust Sanford Group "wealth manager" Stanley on frugal living.

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Posted by Anonymous2 on March 12, 2009 at 11:06 AM

Gotta keep the poor poor. Who else would the rich hire to do their dirty work? And people wonder why so many people on on welfare. How can you get ahead making $2.13 an hour or even $10 an hour for that matter especially if you are head of household. $10 an hour is a part-time job at best. That is NOT a living wage. How can you educate the smartest individuals and have the best schools then turn around and tell them they are not worth more than $10 an hour. Stanley must have a construction company in Memphis.

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Posted by watchinu on March 12, 2009 at 11:22 AM

All hail wage slavery!

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Posted by JeF on March 12, 2009 at 11:47 AM

And I'd like to know why restaurant folks get a pass on the minimum wage? What other business shifts their payroll so blatantly on the consumer? Why is this legal?

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Posted by runsatthepool on March 12, 2009 at 12:30 PM

Even better -- this same regressive bunch of idiots are pursuing legislation that would allow employers to get a pass on the minimum wage for illegal aliens, too. So, the "free market" would clearly favor hiring illegal aliens. Way to incentivize guys!

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Posted by me on March 12, 2009 at 1:08 PM

The thing is, this only applies to GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS. How the hell is the "free hand of the market" going to apply to GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS??? It's not the "free market" to begin with.
Stanley is an ass. And why what Ronald Reagan would have thought of this ordinance is relevant to the conversation is beyond me. Ronald Reagan is dead. I know the rudderless Republicans are desperately searching for a savior, but Reagan hasn't risen from the dead. Leave the poor old man in peace and try to come up with your OWN policies for a change.

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Posted by Southern Beale on March 12, 2009 at 1:49 PM

Sen. Jim Kyle said he appreciated Stanley's interest in the working people of Memphis. "He doesn't represent Memphis," Kyle noted. "Perhaps he drives through there every now and then. Perhaps not."
For a minute there I thought he was talking about Brian Kelsey...

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Posted by I'm from Shelby County, not Memphis... on March 12, 2009 at 2:19 PM
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