Quentin R. Bufogle: Minimum Wage

Meaning of Quentin R. Bufogle Money Quote: saying to leave minimum wage up tp employers means they can pay nothing and enslave employees. Quentin R. Bufogle said:
 
 

 

“To all you who believe we shouldn’t have a minimum wage — that the minimum amount you can be paid should be determined solely by your employer. We tried it once before: it was called SLAVERY” — Quentin R. Bufogle

This quote by Quentin R. Bufogle seems to be drawing a comparison between a lack of minimum wage laws and the historical institution of slavery. Some key points:

• Without a minimum wage that is legally mandated and enforced, employers would be able to pay workers extremely low wages solely based on their own determination.
• Bufogle argues this scenario resembles slavery, where slaves had no bargaining power over their compensation and masters could pay them nothing at all or whatever small amount they deemed appropriate with no oversight.
• Slavery represented an extreme case where the enslaved had no individual rights, agency or ability to change their situation. A lack of minimum wage could move society closer to such a state, according to the quote.

Overall, the quote is suggesting that allowing employers to set any wage they want without restriction, as some argue for, would essentially return the country to conditions similar to slavery by depriving workers of protections and bargaining leverage over their pay. Individual liberty and fairness in the workplace require some minimum standards be set and enforced.

Alcee Hastings: Minimum Wageless

Alcee Hastings Money Quote saying the minimum wage has not been increased for far too long and purchasing power for those earning that wage is horrible. Alcee Hastings said:
 

 

“Today, the Federal minimum wage purchases less than it has at any point in the last 50 years. Let me repeat: The Federal minimum wage purchases less than it has at any point in the last 50 years” — Alcee Hastings

In this quote, Congressman Alcee Hastings is strongly criticizing how little purchasing power the federal minimum wage currently provides compared to past decades. He emphasizes that the minimum wage, which is meant to be a living standard, has steadily lost value and buying capability over the last 50 years despite no adjustments by Congress.

Hastings seems to be implying that minimum wage workers effectively earn less than ever before due to inflation and cost of living increases not being factored into wage stagnation. Overall, the quote conveys Hastings’ view that the minimum wage is outdated and inadequate for supporting basic needs, having declined substantially in real terms against a half-century of economic changes.

Birthday: September 5, 1936 – Death: April 6, 2021

John Fugelsang: Minimum Wage

John Fugelsang Money Quote saying you need to choose whether you oppose a raise in the minimum wage or be against people who get foodstamps, but not both – unless you are evil. John Fugelsang said:
 

 

“You can oppose raising the minimum 
wage. You can put down people who have to
 go on foodstamps. But if you oppose raising the 
minimum wage & still put down people
 on foodstamps then Satan’s got a 
special party room set up for your
 arrival” — John Fugelsang

In this quote, John Fugelsang is criticizing people who both oppose raising the minimum wage but also disparage those who need food stamps to get by. He argues that if someone does not support increasing the minimum wage, which could help lift some out of poverty and reduce reliance on food assistance, yet still looks down on those receiving food stamps, then they are being hypocritical and cruel.

Fugelsang suggests such a person lacks empathy and compassion, and implies they will face judgment for their stance. His comment uses satirical and provocative language to make the point that simultaneously denying low-income workers a living wage and condemning those in need of help reflects a lack of humanity and goodwill towards the less fortunate.

Neil Sheehan: American Workers

Neil Sheehan Money Quote saying that it is now expected and routine that we have basic worker support for basic economic issues. Neil Sheehan said:
 

 

“Ideas of the kind that are now taken for granted in American life — nutrition and welfare support for dependent children; free medical care for the impoverished and the aged; the right of workers to organize a union, to receive a minimum wage, to strike; interracial cooperation” — Neil Sheehan

In this quote, Neil Sheehan seems to be listing ideas and policies that are now widely accepted in American society but were once more radical notions. By mentioning concepts like “nutrition and welfare support for dependent children”, “free medical care for the impoverished and the aged”, and “the right of workers to organize a union, to receive a minimum wage, to strike”, Sheehan implies these were progressive reforms that improved living standards for many.

Sheehan also includes “interracial cooperation”, suggesting racial equality was also once a newer idea. The quote conveys Sheehan’s perspective that over time, social and economic policies aimed at helping vulnerable groups have become mainstream values in the U.S., though they challenged status quos of their eras when first proposed. Overall, he appears to be observing how certain ideas seen as controversial at one point later became societal norms and expectations.

Birthday: October 27, 1936 – Death: January 7, 2021

Bill Clinton: Minimum Wage Worker

Bill Clinton Money Quote saying when a congressman stops a vote to raise the minimum wage, he makes more money during that month than the worker makes yearly. Bill Clinton said:
 

 

“You need to know that a member of Congress who refuses to allow the minimum wage to come up for a vote made more money during last year’s one-month government shutdown than a minimum wage worker makes in an entire year” — Bill Clinton

In this quote, Bill Clinton seems to be criticizing the disconnect between some members of Congress and everyday Americans struggling financially. By noting that a congressman who blocked a minimum wage vote “made more money during last year’s one-month government shutdown” than a minimum wage worker earns in a year, Clinton implies that lawmaker was better compensated even when the government was partially closed than a low-income worker is for a full year of labor.

The quote conveys Clinton’s perspective that politicians preventing a minimum wage increase are out of touch with hardships faced by those living on or close to the poverty line. Overall, Clinton appears to be arguing this pay disparity underscores the need for lawmakers to consider economic realities of average citizens when making decisions around compensation and assistance policies like the minimum wage.

Ralph Nader: Minimum Wage Won

Ralph Nader Money Quote saying Wherever minimum wages were on the ballot in 2016 elections, they passed with voters, so Trump might adjust his views. Ralph Nader said:
 

 

“In five states last night, the minimum wage was on the ballot. And in five states, the minimum wage won. A message to Donald Trump” — Ralph Nader

In this quote, consumer advocate Ralph Nader appears to be sending a direct message to Donald Trump about the results of minimum wage ballot initiatives in five U.S. states. Specifically:

• Nader notes that in five states during the recent election, raising the minimum wage was put to a direct vote of the people through ballot measures/referendums.
• He then states that “in five states, the minimum wage won”, meaning the initiatives to increase the minimum salary succeeded and passed in all five places.
• Nader’s comment “A message to Donald Trump” implies these results show strong public support that counters Trump’s prior criticisms of raising the federal minimum wage.

Overall, the quote conveys Nader’s view that voters in multiple states signaling their approval of higher minimum pay standards through the ballot box delivers a clear message of public sentiment to Trump and others opposed to raising the wage floor for low-income workers nationwide.

In five states last night, the minimum wage was on the ballot. And in five states, the minimum wage won. A message to @realDonaldTrump.

— Ralph Nader (@RalphNader) November 9, 2016

Hillary Clinton: Raise Minimum Wage

Hillary Clinton Money Quote saying in the final 2016 Presidential debate that she wants to increase low-income worker pay rate above poverty level. Hillary Clinton said:
 

 

“I want to raise the national minimum wage. People who work full-time should not be on the poverty line” — Hillary Clinton

In this quote, Hillary Clinton expresses her support for raising the national minimum wage in the United States. She seems to be arguing that it is unacceptable for full-time workers to still be living in poverty even though they are employed, if their wages are too low.

By stating that people who work full-time “should not be on the poverty line”, Clinton appears to believe the minimum wage should be high enough so that full-time employment provides a wage adequate to lift workers and their families out of poverty.

Her quote conveys a view that working full-time hours should guarantee at least a modest standard of living through one’s earnings, which suggests she feels the current minimum wage is too low to meet that basic standard.

Sarah Anderson: Wall Street Bonus Pool

Sarah Anderson #IncomeInequality Quote saying bonuses paid to Wall Street employees is twice what ALL U.S. minimum wage employees earned. Sarah Anderson said:
 

 

“The $28.5 billion in bonuses doled out to Wall Street employees is double the annual pay for all 1,007,000 Americans who work full-time at the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour” — Sarah Anderson

Sarah Anderson appears to be drawing attention to the vast disparity between compensation at the top of the financial industry versus the bottom rungs of the job market. She notes that the total bonuses awarded on Wall Street in a given year are over double the total annual wages of all American workers earning the current federal minimum wage when working full-time.

Anderson’s quote highlights how large bonuses are on Wall Street, while also juxtaposing this with how many low-wage jobs do not provide a living wage. She seems to be implicitly criticizing this huge gap and suggesting it reflects imbalances in the economy and priorities of corporations to enrich high earners rather than fairly pay all workers.

Source: Institute for Policy Studies

World’s Richest 85 People Have As Much As Bottom Half Of The Population https://t.co/3qLpExCjW2 pic.twitter.com/cRInHP0Miy

— Captain Clarion (@citizensrock) September 21, 2014

One year ago.

House Republicans voted to take away health care from millions of Americans. Then, they gave out bonus checks to CEOs instead of protecting Social Security and Medicare!

Let's vote them all out. #RememberinNovember #RepealPayback pic.twitter.com/5rmvwtQlnx

— DCCC (@dccc) May 4, 2018