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You know I am shocked to see some of the responses on the "No" side. Are you kidding, INFLATION? Minimum wage has been the same for how long? Almost a decade, yes a DECADE! Do you remember what the price of gasoline was in 1997? No, it was $1.33 and no that is not a type-o, now the average is $2.79. For those of you who are mathematically challenged like me, that is a 210% increase. So in reality, which is where us poor folk live it is costing twice the amount of money to get to work for the same amount of pay. Milk $2.09 in 1997 now $3.50, you're right you don't need this to live there is Ramen Noodles and water, right? I can go on and on with these examples all day. So my question is if the cost of living has increased why shouldn't the pay? Here is a thought to ponder. If you work a full 40 hours a week at the minimum wage you will make $206.00 so you will probably take home $176.00 for the WEEK! Again for the folks who can't add all that well, that is $704.00 for the MONTH! Well we can all rest now that we know the bills are paid. The raise will give minimum wage workers about an extra $280.00 a month. That is like a whole extra paycheck. Now we are the way up to $1,000.00! I wonder why we are so shocked at the crime,drug and depression rates of our country. I challenge anyone out there who makes a decent living to try to make it on $1,000.00 a month. Heck even get a partner and make it on $2,000.00 a month. NEWS FLASH, it's not going to happen. Let's just say you live in a complete dive, that is $500.00, electricity $150.00, food $100.00 (Ramen Noodles), gas to work $200.00 ($50.00 a week) and $50.00 to spare. Oops forgot the water bill, gas bill, phone bill, well you don't need a phone maybe your neighbor will let you use his if you need to call 911 or to talk to your Mom who is 500 miles away. Oh by the way you can get your clothes from goodwill and at this point you can probably apply for and get several government loans costing tax payers a little penny. See the fact is we pay one way or another. Whether it is the rich paying by money or the poor paying emotionally and physically. It is a vicious cycle, why? Because we do not see the real problem which is GREED, my fellow writer. The greed I am talking about though is just sheer want, the wanting what others have no matter what it is instead of being happy for that person, we envy them. When does it stop, more than likely never because it is not your problem, right?

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