Washblog

This is par for the course for these dooshbags - hell, this bill is a double-whammy for them - help the rich while screwing the poor (but looking like they give a shit about the non-rich).  Badda-bing, badda-boom.

I'm with Obama

Will someone hire Switzer and make use of his obvious tallents for a good and just cause and pay him a ton of money and offer a full benifit package. We must make justice happen at home if we expect it to spread.

PortDork

What I'm referring to here is the provision in the proposed bill to override current laws in Washington, California, Nevada, and four other states that allow restaurant workers to keep their tips.

This language from HR 5970 Estate Tax and Extension of Tax Relief Act of 2006, is, like the food labeling act, is the same as the US Congress saying to the states, screw you:

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, ANY STATE OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF A STATE which on or after the date of enactment of the Estate Tax and Extension of Tax Relief Act of 2006 excludes all of a tipped employee's tips from being considered as wages in determining if such tipped employee has been paid the applicable minimum wage rate, MAY NOT ESTABLISH OR ENFORCE THE MINIMUM WAGE RATE PROVISIONS OF SUCH LAW, ORDINANCE, REGULATION, OR ORDER IN SUCH STATE.... (emphasis is mine, NM)

Compare this language to that in this year's Uniformity in Food Safety Act, H.R. 4167

SEC. 403B. UNIFORMITY IN FOOD SAFETY WARNING NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), (these sections provide for labeling having to do with imminent hazards, as long as commerce is not unduly disturbed... NM) NO STATE OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF A STATE MAY, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ESTABLISH OR CONTINUE IN EFFECT UNDER ANY AUTHORITY any notification requirement for a food that provides for a warning concerning the safety of the food, or any component or package of the food, unless such a notification requirement has been prescribed under the authority of this Act and the State or political subdivision notification requirement is identical to the notification requirement prescribed under the authority of this Act. (emphasis mine, NM)

There are many instances where this Republican majority has nulled out state law.  This deserves its own post.  Our sovereignty is being screwed around with.  Who voted for these infringements on our sovereignty?  Reichert, Hastings, McMorris.  Yep.  Very curiously, on 5970, Democrat Brian Baird voted "present" -- neither aye or nay.  Why?

No, kidding, what I join is Mrs. Switzer's call for a rise in the minimum Switzer wage. I feel this would benefit both the Switzer and non-Switzer economies greatly.

I also give kudos to Junior Senatorette Cantwell for her opposition to the present Republican "minimum wage" bill (handjob).

However, I would like to point out that language like this:

"I support estate tax reform. I support a 100 percent repeal of the estate tax for 99.7 percent of all Americans, including small businesses and family farms. Every American should be able to pass their first $7 million to their children without paying an estate tax.

"A 55 percent tax rate is unfair for Americans and our small businesses and family farms deserve relief. Yet there are four years before changes to the estate tax expire, so Congress has time for a cleaner package. We need estate tax reform, but it needs to be within reason. We need a well thought-out policy, and I will continue to push for a compromise that will truly help America prosper."

 - is not exactly helpful in calling the Republican rich-screwing-the-poor class warfare for what it is.

Principles, people, it is about principles. And when politicians like our precious Junior Senatorette cannot be bothered to get their manicured hands dirty and throw some damn punches, we all suffer.