For the working poor that is.
You see, if you work, you should (nay -DESERVE- to) get paid enough to afford medical coverage, food, and shelter. People should earn enough that they don't need welfare assistance.
Working Americans deserve to live a life with dignity.
Those that are complaining about a $15 minimum wage need to STFU and stop living a life of ignorance. Open your damn eyes. Even if workers earned $15 or $31,000 yearly they would still have to potentially pay $10,000 -$15,000 in deductibles and premiums when (not if) they need medical services.
How is it that medical costs for a family, can take such a huge cut off your gross income?
Notice i said Gross, who gets to keep gross anyway? Just take that non deductible 7% FICA tax off the top, and a worker making 31k is left with $28,000 and that's before they pay the rent.
Now keep in mind, 50% of all working Americans make less than $31k. Want a more sobering statistic, 40% of all workers make less than $20,000 a year!
This brings me to a second stupid right wing talking point. It goes something like this; Burger flippers don't deserve to make a living wage.
Excuse me?
Don't you want the person that makes your food to get paid sick leave? Pay your food preparer a living wage, and i am sure you will get a higher quality product- keep in mind, you are going to ingest said product.
The reason we are in decline, isn't food stamps, or the welfare state, its because there isn't enough money to pay the damn bills.
Americans deserve a raise, and the only way its going to happen is by voting for it at the ballot box, or through union participation.
Welfare should only exist for those that can no longer work, and they deserve to live a life with dignity as well. If an American works full time, they should make enough to get off of welfare.