I had to work at a minimum wage job after returning from Viet Nam, while I was still in the Army in Texas in order to pay for off post housing for my wife and I. It sucks when the country you fought for treated you like dirt. Most of the Republicans now in congress have never known hardship of military life. So raise the Minimum Wage already

No person who works full-time should be in poverty. If a company cannot afford to pay a living wage to its workers, there is something wrong with its business plan.

Members of my family are working hard every week while struggling to get by on poverty wages. Increasing the Minimum Wage would help thousands of PA workers pay their bills and feed their families - and it has been shown time and again that it would spur our economy - for everyone! Rep. Pitts should do the right thing for PA workers instead of siding with big corporations.

As a clergyman I support an increase in the minimum wage to at least $10.10 an hour. Members of my own family are among thousands of workers who are working hard every week while struggling to get by on poverty wages. But this is also a benefit for business. The argument that a higher minimum wage would hurt business is old and tired. There is clear and compelling evidence that the economy and companies enjoy real benefits when workers are paid more.

Raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour would boost the paychecks of over 30 million workers in the U.S. The majority are adults with full-time jobs, and nearly half have some college education. If the minimum wage had kept pace with inflation since 1968, it would be $10.60 today. Tell Rep. Michael Grimm you support this fix.

In the last 10 years our communities in Madison County have lost the good paying manufacturing jobs, forcing productive skilled labor into low paying service jobs. By raising the minimum wage more workers can afford to buy a home, a car or shop in our neighborhood stores.

Family members and friends work hard each and every week, yet they are considered 'working poor.' The American dream tells us that if we work hard enough every citizen can have enough to take care of their family. Increasing the minimum wage will help workers earn enough to sufficiently support their families and their futures. Representative Denham should do the right thing and support the working people of his constituency instead of siding with corporations and big business.

Millions will be lifted from poverty. Our nation's children will grow smart and strong. Productivity will skyrocket and healthcare costs will plummet.

When working people aren't paid living wage, their children suffer and never achieve their full potential as citizens.

Standing up for the middle class

The United States now has the greatest inequality of wealth of any developed nation. Almost all productivity gains from computer automation and off-shoring are going to the top one percent, while more and more of the rest of us are being thrust into poverty. Restoring top marginal income tax rates to those of the Eisenhower administration and enforcing tax laws on international corporations will provide the needed revenue.

I know many young people in New Mexico who feel the best days of our country are over. Their chances of having a good life by hard work and saving are out of reach because most jobs available even to college graduates pay below poverty level. Its sad to see their depression and sense of defeat. For that reason, I'm asking you to join me in petitioning our Senator Tom Udall, Congressman Steve Pearce and candidates for Congress this fall to support raising the minimum wage. People who work hard should be rewarded by fair pay and safe working conditions. New Mexico is in the depths of a recession and working people are hurting. Many are working two jobs to make ends meet because a minimum wage job pays below Federal poverty level. No one wants a handout, just a fair shake. No matter what big business and anti-labor groups say, minimum wage increases don't result in lost jobs or cause a recession, just the opposite.