Working Life

Within the past hour, the newest ballot total count shows the $15-an-hour minimum wage SeaTac initiative has WIDENED its lead — to 53 votes from just 19 a day before, which was a lead that had shrunk — a nice reversal from yesterday’s narrowed vote. And, in my estimation, this means the initiative will now likely come out on top at the end of the count.

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With about 250-300 ballots left to count, the ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage to $15-an-hour in the city of SeaTac is leading by just 19 votes. It’s lost a bit of ground since Tuesday’s lead of 43 votes. But, win or lose, it could set a different standard for the debate around the minimum wage.

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Big, bad things often get done–things that shred our economic security and undo some pretty basic constitutional ideas–because, after years and years of listening to sound bites and catchy phrases, it’s easy to let the bi-partisan elites thunder ahead on very bad policy. That’s the case with so-called “free trade.” But, something is happening that is slowing down that monumentally foolish, and destructive, rush on very bad trade deals — and it’s connected to the broader revolt out there, sometimes quiet, sometimes noisy.

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The votes keep trickling in. But, as of close of business today in Seattle, the initiative to raise the minimum wage to $15-an-hour in SeaTac is hanging on. And it looks better today.

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Months before the current uproar over the Benghazi story, 60 Minutes revealed itself as an unethical news organization, dedicated to covering up the conflicts of interest of its entertainment assets (note I don’t use the word “journalist”). I revealed back in May a serious conflict of interest on the part of Lesley Stahl — and CBS stonewalled over Stahlgate, then, and continues to stonewall to this day. In fact, CBS seems to be the Rand Paul of journalism — the more you dig, the more you find out. It’s not too late to force some honesty and transparency on Stahlgate

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Uh, yeah, every vote does matter. Especially when it comes to making sure people don’t live in poverty. Mark one up for a move to a serious minimum wage!

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The lowering of expectations. The willingness to let people wallow in poverty and be bankrupted by big corporations because of the lack of courage in political leaders. That is what I would argue is the conclusion from the president’s minimum wage rhetoric, which is pretty much health care all over again.

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It’s all the rage to finger big corporations for parking hundreds of billions of dollars in profits overseas — in the Cayman Islands and other hospitable spots. And, it is an economic fuck-you to every hard-working person. But, funny enough, you don’t have to go overseas to find the problem.

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It’s all the rage — at least for now, until the next hot little stock. But, you know, Twitter may seem real edgy, or new, or hip — but when it comes to corporate responsibility, it’s the same old story. Tax loopholes galore!

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Fabulous to see my old comrade from back in the first David Dinkins campaign become the next mayor of NYC. I think he’ll do very cool things. But, I’m even more thrilled to see a significant victory out West — a serious hike in the minimum wage. Can you say $15 an hour?

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