Elizabeth Warren Debunks GOP Talking Points on Minimum Wage
Sen. Elizabeth Warren continues her crusade against big financial institutions and businesses, this time tearing apart an argument by a restaurant owner who testified before a Senate panel Thursday that raising the minimum wage would force businesses like his to fire employees.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., continues her crusade against big financial institutions and businesses, this time tearing apart an argument by a restaurant owner who testified before a Senate panel Thursday that raising the minimum wage would force businesses like his to fire employees. Much like former Labor Secretary Robert Reich did in this video, Warren dismantled that popular right-wing talking point on why the minimum wage should not be increased.
When Warren pointed out during the hearing that McDonald’s could raise its wages to $10.10 an hour simply by increasing the cost of its meals 4 cents, David Rutigliano tried to argue that his full service restaurant doesn’t run the same way.
“McDonald’s has efficiencies and they operate completely differently than I do. I have many jobs, many jobs that pay well above minimum wage,” Rutigliano said. “We have a retirement plan. We offer health insurance to our salaried employees. So my business is a little different. I can’t raise a 4 cent price. I mean I don’t have, I don’t operate like a fast food restaurant. I would hope you appreciate the distinction.”
But Warren wasn’t having any of that. “I do appreciate the distinction and I’m not going to be in the business of being a McDonald’s representative but they would talk about having some higher paid jobs and some opportunities for management and advancement as well,” she responded. “But I get your point, maybe it’s only 4 cents on $7.19. But if your entrees are $14.40 we’ll see how fast I can do the math — are you telling me you can’t raise your prices by 8 cents?”
Warren also noted that wages have not been keeping up with productivity, and if they had, the minimum wage would be about $22 today. That’s $14.75 higher than the actual federal minimum wage.
— Posted by Tracy Bloom.
Your support is crucial…With an uncertain future and a new administration casting doubt on press freedoms, the danger is clear: The truth is at risk.
Now is the time to give. Your tax-deductible support allows us to dig deeper, delivering fearless investigative reporting and analysis that exposes what’s really happening — without compromise.
During this holiday season, stand with our courageous journalists. Donate today to protect a free press, uphold democracy and ensure the stories that matter are told.
Author Interview
After decades of shaping national narratives, corporate America has weaponized its playbook in a more aggressive way, the authors of Corporate Bullsh*t warn.
Editorial Cartoons
America used to have antitrust laws that stopped corporations from monopolizing markets, and often broke up the biggest culprits. No longer.
We rip ourselves, our communities and our entire economy apart for the sake of sustaining an unsustainable system.
Americans are led to believe they have been fighting for democracy and freedom these past 17 years, but the truth is far murkier.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.