Essay 864

Raising the minimum rage with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Chicago alderman passed a bill that forces large retailers like Home Depot and Wal-Mart to pay employees a “living wage” — which translates to $10 per hour by 2010 and $3 per hour for benefits. Supporters celebrated the measure (pictured above), while retailers planned to fight it in court. Wonder how long Wal-Mart will be able to maintain low prices with high employee wages. Then again, if the employees receive more money, is it asking too much to have them act interested while on the job?

• Folks continue to debate the effectiveness of the National Guard troops deployed to support the U.S. border patrol. “This buildup is not decreasing migration at all,” said a pro-immigration activist. “Claims by the U.S. border patrol that this increased manpower does have an effect fits a pattern in which they implement some new strategy or idea when there is already a natural lull in migrant activity and then claim credit for it.” The troops will require even more help once immigrants learn that they can make $10 per hour at Wal-Mart in Chicago.

• DMX rejected a plea bargain in his traffic violations case. The rapper-actor spent a night in prison last month after failing to show up in court, but was released upon posting $25,000 bail. “I don’t feel good about this at all,” said DMX after his court appearance. “It’s not fair — $25,000 for traffic tickets? Come on. Let’s keep it real.” Hey, it’s not much crazier than $10 per hour for Wal-Mart employees.