Shabbat Shalom Afternoon Edition

I will not make a habit of writing two editions in one day. However, sometimes things happen or events are recalled by your brilliant blogger, and I just don't want to wait until next week.



RJC and U.S. Ambassadors send letter to Howard Dean
Please remove Jimmy Carter as Honorary Chairman

The Republican Jewish Coalition sent a letter this week to DNC Chairman Howard Dean, asking him to remove Jimmy Carter as Honorary Chairman of Democrats Abroad, an arm of the DNC. The letter, which was signed by six former U.S. ambassadors, was sent in response to a statement made by Carter, which he calls into doubt his suitability as a representative of the United States abroad. The former President recently criticized the U.S. government for withholding direct aid to Hamas, describing this policy as "criminal."


Admittedly, I didn't know that Carter held such a prestigious position within the DNC. I'm sure very few people, including Democrats knew of his honorary title. However, it doesn't surprise me that Carter would be kept in a closet by Dean and his cronies. They know where their bread and butter from and Carter is in the same category as Louis Farrakhan, when it comes to respectability within the Jewish community.

What does surprise me is that the RJC waited until now to make this request. In their defense, they may have not been aware of Carter's title until recently. I hope that is the case. Regardless, it will be interesting to see what Dean does. Your brilliant blogger believes Dean will ignore the letter and hope the media doesn't ask any questions. I would be very surprised if Carter would be relieved of his position, he still remains the darling amongst the Progressives who hold the power within the Party.

Nevertheless, better late than never, so kudos to the RJC and the honorable ambassadors who are calling for Dean to remove Carter as Honorary Chairman of Democrats Abroad. Remember Mr. Chairman, keeping Carter around just proves my concern that "Democrat Support is Dwindling for the Jewish State."


Ilinois Residents Feeling Minimum Wage Hike
Small Business and Fast Food feeling the pinch

This morning I received an email attachment with an article from the Western Illinois University student newspaper. The article is about the new minimum wage increase that takes effect in Illinois July 1. This new law will increase the current state minimum wage of $6.50 to $7.50 per hour over the next year. Illinois minimum wage already is $1.35 more than the federal minimum wage of $5.15.

This raise in minimum wage will be good in the sense that if employees make more money, they will spend more money, and it will increase the economy all around," said Steven M. Rock, professor of economics at Western Illinois University. "Because business costs are going to rise, prices in products have to go up as well." Duh! That comment explains why you teach economics at a college not renown for their business school. The idea that more money will go into the economy is false. After taxes, the minuscule wage increase will barely impact these workers whatsoever. However a small business owner or fast food franchiser who may have ten or twenty employees will easily feel the crunch and raise prices to the consumer.

According to the Western Courier, the Burger King in Macomb, Illinois will be raising the prices of their value meals twenty cents. That may not seem like much, but that is rural America. In urban areas where taxes and rent is much higher, you can expect those increases to be near double. In fact this morning I experienced a near forty cent price hike on my bagel and coffee at Dunkin Donuts. While taking my wife to work today, we stopped at McDonald's for Happy Meals and the non-English speaking employee was hiking up the prices on the drive-thru menu. I believe we may have been the last customers to pay the old cost.

Don't get me wrong, I understand you can't raise a family earning minimum wage. However, minimum wage jobs were never meant for household bread winners. They were meant for high school and college students not to be taken advantage of. In fact it is because of the illegal immigration problem that minimum wage has become the main earnings for some families. That is sad, but that is the choice of people illegally in this country.

If we want to truly help lower income people and their families, take away the minimum wage, do not tax individuals making less than 20k a year or families of four on the first 45k they earn. Offer tax breaks to small and mid-size businesses, so they have an incentive to hire people who have skills and deserve a higher wage dictated by the free market. I have no desire to see people who refuse to learn English and hike up health-care and education costs because they don't want to legally enter the United States and improve themselves, earn an extra dime.

I already see small business laying people off and the poor who frequent fast food restaurants and neighborhood grocery stores paying higher prices. Brilliant! This is what happens when idiots make the laws.

Paulie