The U.S. minimum wage is a ‘disgrace’

The federal minimum wage is a national disgrace. The current rate of $7.25, set in 1991, has remained unchanged for 27 years. Inflation has meant the poor took a pay cut every year but one.

In that time Congress has voted itself 13 pay raises, from $101,900 to $174,000, a 70.76 percent increase. If the poor had gotten the same percentage, the minimum wage would be $12.38 now.

It is immoral that someone in America working full-time should live in poverty. Their net pay is only $13,926, or $1,160 a month. Because folks clearly can’t make ends meet on that sum, safety net programs like subsidized housing and food stamps were created. So American taxpayers have been subsidizing every employer who pays minimum wage. Welfare for the rich who refuse to pay a living wage.

President Trump has tried to eliminate the safety net without raising the minimum wage. That is indefensible. Forty-three million Americans depend on SNAP to eat. Widespread hunger will result.

It is past time to right this wrong for which Republicans and Democrats are equally to blame. Raise the minimum wage.

‘Only one?’

I just saw “Rally at Duplin hog farm pushes back on neighbors’ lawsuits” (July 10) with one little boy carrying a “no farms = no food” sign.

I know controlling the smell of the farms would cost money, but speaking for myself, I would be happy to pay more for my bacon if the hogs were raised in a more responsible way. Am I the only one?

ICE needed

Regarding “17 Durham, Raleigh, Orange leaders call to abolish ICE” (July 12): Contrary to popular belief, Federal agencies do not operate in a vacuum. They are created to enforce laws – you know, those pesky little things that make up this country and keep it glued together.

To call for the abolishment of an entire agency because of unpopular implementation policies is literally “throwing out the baby with the bathwater” and shows the short-sighted naivete of those calling for the abolition of ICE.

This can perhaps be forgiven of the general public, but public officials are displaying ignorance that brings their qualifications for office into question.

Among other things, ICE provides immigration enforcement (National Gang Unit, Identity Fraud, Fugitive Operations, Criminal Alien Program, etc.) and investigation of the illegal movement of people and goods (Human Smuggling, Money Laundering, Narcotics Enforcement, Explosives Smuggling, etc.)

The real question is, if we get rid of ICE, who is going to perform these tasks? They won’t function on their own. Somebody has to do it. If not ICE, who?

Federal laws are written to direct who will enforce the laws. Congress would have to re-write all these laws to name some other agency to enforce the law. In all the rhetoric to abolish ICE, nobody has posited a solution.

‘Not alright’

Regarding “House Republicans trust Rep. Jordan did not ignore sex abuse while he was a coach” (July 10): Representative Mark Meadows, the chairman of the Freedom Caucus, has once again gone too far. Jim Jordan, the Ohio congressman, is facing accusations that as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University, he ignored athletes’ complaints of sexual abuse by the team doctor.

At least eight former members of the wrestling team have said they made Jordan aware of the unacceptable behavior by the team doctor. With no definitive proof or information, Meadows defended fellow Freedom Caucus member Jordan.

Even more alarming is the mounting attack campaign against the wrestlers, using the Trump defense during the Access Hollywood tapes of it being “ locker room” talk. No consideration is being given to the wrestlers who were sexually abused by the team doctor that could have been avoided if Jordan did something about it when he was the assistant coach.

Meadows does not represent North Carolina values when he defends his caucus buddy without exploring the facts and asking for an independent investigation. It’s not alright for Meadows and other House members to push false FBI Trump conspiracy theories and it’s not alright to defend Jordan without an investigation against these serious allegations.