Social Security

Let’s begin with the number fact surrounding Social Security: 

Social security is not a problem. 

The problems have been contrived as the system is solvent. 

Like all the other issues in the American political arena, lies deceit and stubbornness born of polarization and intransigence

prevent any meaningful and necessary support and action from occurring. 

 The fund currently has cash assets of around $3 trillion.  It is forecasted that assets will be depleted by 2035.  Between 2035 and 2093 it is estimated the fund will be short by $13.9 trillion.

 The reason the upcoming shortage is forecasted is just basic financial common sense.  The fund is not generating enough to keep up with demand.  Just that simple. 

Some believe and continue to argue, that the shortage is due to commingling Social Security with the federal government's General Fund.  That has never been the case.  As a budgetary item and solely for accounting purposes the fund has been classified and reclassified.  None of these changes in classification has ever resulted in any change to the fund or how it is managed. 

What is true and continues to be true today, is that the US government borrows from Social Security funds to meet government expenses by financing its deficit spending.  This money, by law must be repaid to the fund with interest.  Like all loan payments, the interest must be paid on the outstanding balance.  In 2018 alone the federal government paid the Social Security fund $83 billion in interest.  As such the outstanding loans actually generate additional funds for Social Security.  So, demanding that all loans be paid back becomes a double-edged sword. 

Another common fix proposed to the future shortfalls is that the program be means tested.  On the surface this seems rational.  The program was established to secure and provide for the needs of elderly Americans.  That remains its purpose.  The logic here is that there is no reason why Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Donald Trump and others who are wealthy enough to live very comfortably without this benefit should be receiving it.    This proposal is always challenged with the argument that we would then be punishing people for their success.  They paid into the fund and as such are entitled to benefit payments.  The counter is that we all pay into insurance programs and other programs to help those in need, from which, we never retrieve a direct nickel in the form of a cash return.  Yes - Social Security benefits received by upper income Americans are taxed, yet those taxes only recoup a small portion of the total amount paid out in benefits to the wealthy.  

The most common proposal and the one the Democrats want enacted is to raise and/or eliminate the payroll tax earnings cap. It is ridiculous that those who are in the best position to contribute based upon higher levels of earning are exempt from doing so, especially when we know the fund will be facing insolvency in the future.  

The Republicans also have a plan that will address the problem.   They favor a gradual increase to the full retirement age, which would lead to a reduction in long-term outlays from Social Security.  While this would work, it would force Americans to work longer and later in life, which, like all Republican proposals, favors the wealthy and diminishes the quality of life for millions of others.  

Both plans would work and both are on the table for consideration.  The Senate has refused to compromise or act on either of them. 

What must also be considered is how to increase benefit amounts.  This is crucial in that Social Security is NO longer a supplemental retirement benefit.  Three out every Five Americans now need Social Security for their financial survival. 

Social security is not a problem.   Beware of the charlatans who say otherwise.  

Overcoming Polarization

Intransigence and polarization fueled by hatreds is certainly not a foreign struggle in America. We have faced it before and overcome it, thus leaving us with a very clear and concise understanding as to what must be done to defeat it again.

 We are currently faced with almost unprecedented levels of political deterioration arising from the election of our first black president.  After Republican victories in 2010, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell stated the primary goal of his party would be to prevent the Democratic president from being reelected.   He hadn’t seen even one proposal, one bill, and yet his main objective was to thwart any and all efforts of the president – to work almost exclusively toward assuring his failure and defeat. 

We have been and continue to be, plagued with war and economy struggles and our elected representatives first thoughts were, and still are, focused on a personal agenda based on some unstated form of hatred and a stated objective centered on gaining party advantage and thus greater power and influence and not on collective problem-solving or the common good of the nation.  

In attempting to justify this irrational behavior and to solidify that power grab, religious animosities are now and once again openly surfaced within American society.  Those of us who lived through the 1960 presidential election were filled with hope that such rubbish would become antiquated with the election of our first Catholic president, John F. Kennedy.  But with the advent of nine-eleven many Americans refuse to separate the Taliban, al-Qaeda and ISIS or ISIL from the peaceful Muslim teachings of the faith.  To those Americans who thirst for hatred, all Muslims are the same.  This is as ludicrous as suggesting that Mother Teresa was supportive of pedophilia. 

Stirring up hatred by characterizing anyone as a Muslim has reached the most wicked of levels.  Through this newfound confidence to openly and often express these perversions has come the depraved charge that President Obama is a Muslim, although ample and undeniable evidence exists as to his Christian faith.  Mit Romney’s Mormon faith was also called into question reminding us that we have never had a Mormon as a president.

 While this intransigence fueled by the sickness of bigotry and hatred are disturbing, they are far from new to Americans. 

 Imagine America after the Civil War.   Roughly 2% of the population or 620,000 men lost their lives.  Taken as a percentage of today’s population, the toll would be estimated at 6 million lives lost.  It was a country where almost everyone had lost a son, brother, husband or other family members and dear friends to the conflict. 

 Polarization and vindictiveness fueled by hatred ran rampant when President Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865.  Would he fan the flames of hatred for political expediency or would he take the unpopular position of attempting to quell the blood lust?

 Lincoln’s address was surprisingly brief.  It was a profound reflection on the meaning of the Civil War.  He focused on the aftermath emphasizing that uniting the country would fail if we didn’t find a lasting peace within ourselves.  He cautioned that peace could not prevail if we continued to believe; “until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword…”  He warned that that insanity would only further fuel far more death, destruction and polarization.

 He pleaded for a united understanding by emphasizing how both sides suffered terribly in the conflict.  “Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged.”

 There is little doubt that Lincoln’s counsel and encouragement began a healing process that was instrumental in averting even more killing and death.  In the 150 years that has followed, the struggle continued as it continues today.  While atrocities were committed and lives were lost, nothing approaching a half million deaths were necessary to enact the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

So, in the final analysis we have a dictate to ending the polarization crippling our nation.  All that is needed is for us to heed Lincoln’s wisdom.  Dispel our vengeance, vindictiveness and hatreds.  Focus on what unites us and the important work we must yet accomplish. Pray for Divine guidance.  This is the path we must, once again, march, to find unity and peace.  

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds,… to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”  ~ Abraham Lincoln – March 4, 1865

How Liberals Ruin Lives???

Taken from the essay “Day in the Life of Joe Middle-Class Republican”
by John Gray and published in the Huffington Post. 

The May 25, 2011 byline belongs to Sandy Goodman. 

Some liberty in editing has been taken in the writing below.

##########################################    

Joe gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffeepot with water.  The water is clean because some liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards. 

With his first swallow of water, he takes his daily medication.  His medications are safe because some liberal fought to ensure their safety.   

All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan because some liberal union fought for paid medical insurance - now Joe gets it too. 

He prepares his morning breakfast of bacon and eggs.  Joe's bacon is safe to eat because some liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry. 

In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo.   His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and their total contents because some liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body.    

Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some liberal fought for the laws to stop industries from polluting our air.

He walks to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work.  It saves him considerable money in parking, fuel costs and auto maintenance because some liberal fought for affordable public transportation. 

Joe arrives at work.  He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some liberal union members fought and died for these working standards.  Joe's employer pays these benefits to avoid his nonunion employees from unionizing or to prevent his union employees from filing a grievance against his company. 

If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he is protected by worker compensation or unemployment insurance because some liberals didn't think he should lose his home or live in abject poverty because of his temporary misfortune.        

At noon Joe makes a bank deposit.  Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FDIC because some liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system leading to the Great Depression. 

Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae-underwritten mortgage and his below-market federal student loan because some liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money during his lifetime. 

Joe is home from work.  He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. 

He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world because some liberal fought for car safety standards. 

He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers' Home Administration because bankers didn't want to make rural loans. The house didn't have electricity until some liberal demanded rural electrification. 

He is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension because some liberal made sure he could take care of himself allowing Joe greater freedom and spendable income. 

Joe gets back in his car for the ride home.  He turns on the radio.  Joe hears President Clinton proclaim; “The era of big government is over.” Without one ounce of thought given to each and every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day, Joe cheers wildly and says; Yeah - We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives! 

 

Insufferable Friendship

Commercials are our friends.  

Those who have toiled in the broadcast industry know this as the battle cry of all who serve in sales and management at their respective radio and television stations.  Those who gave their hearts and souls to the programming departments could find this battle cry most cumbersome and, at times, most unreasonable.  Nevertheless, they understood a cooperative effort between excellent programming and sales was necessary to keep everyone employed.  This cooperative effort appears to have diminished to the point where said friendship has become, or, at the very least, is becoming insufferable.                                      

The struggle has always centered around defining the priority.   Which comes first; the cart and or the horse?  

Those in programing always argued that the entertainment and information value is the only reason an audience has an interest in tuning in.  THEREFORE, PROGRAMING MUST BE THE PRIORITY.  No audience – No station. 

Sales argued that their interest must be the number one priority.  Without income and profit there wouldn’t be any jobs – no entertainment or information to provide.  MONEY MUST BE THE FIRST CONSIDERATION.  No revenue – no station. 

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) once provided guidelines and recommended limitations on commercial announcements.   The NAB promoted the concept that commercials should act as filler between programs and program segments.  While the directive was not always adhered to, it established a benchmark or standard as to the proper balance that should be maintained in broadcasting.  Common sense dictated this balance.  If the audience becomes irritated by interruptions they perceive to be too often and/or too long, they will stray and, in all likelihood, not return.  They do NOT hunger for commercial messages.  Therefore, if limitations are not imposed, a station could be destroyed by alienating their audience.    

It has become a mystery as to whether such limitations exist today.  What has become more common, and in many cases apparent, is that the program is now the filler between the commercials.  What deepens this mystery is that heavier commercial loads have occurred despite the advent of technology that makes it far easier to avoid watching these messages.  Rest assured, as broadcasters continue to ignore the obvious wishes of their audience even more convenient and creative technology will appear allowing for even greater freedom to expunge the annoyances.   

Which begs the question; is there a solution to increasing revenue without alienating the audience?  Baseball is a good example. 

One of the games biggest irritants to fans is the length of the game.  It once took only 2:33 (2 Hours – Thirty-Three minutes) to settle a contest.  A decade late the average rose to 2:48. In 2021 the average – AVERAGE - game took 3:07 to play.  The reasons offered for this insipidness always centers around how the nature and quality of game has dramatically changed.  While there is some rational for this thinking, the many the new rules instituted to speed up play has had no effect on shortening them.  2021 hit a new record high in the time they take to be played.   

The average commercial break during a baseball game is 2:30 (Two Minutes and Thirty Seconds).  Two minutes thirty seconds times just 18 (2 breaks per inning) totals 45 minutes. If just One (1) minute of time were eliminated from a commercial break that would save 18 minutes per game.  Just this alone would reduce the average time to roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes placing making that average time very close to what it was decades ago. 

As money in sports has now become obscene, there is little to no doubt that the rate paid for these spots could be doubled.  That would generate even greater revenue than what they are now producing.  It ain’t rocket science. 

 Also, a legitimate argument can be made that commercials fail to demonstrate any real vitality thus making them monotonous and annoying.   Very, very little initiative is put forth requiring greater entertainment value in commercial productions - no demand that commercials be more creative and imaginative to be worthy of, or to earn, air time.  This is particularly troubling in that this talent and creativity exists and is demonstrated from time to time.  This occasional burst of energy unfortunately is the exception rather than the rule.  Those paying for ads certainly could demand more enthusiasm and imagination - more creative energy - from the production companies they hire to create the advertisements.  If an audience found the interruptions to be more enjoyable, they would be far less annoyed by all the intrusions.  While they have deteriorated in recent years, some still believe the Super Bowl is worth watching to view the commercials.   

Unless or until television and radio executives begin to rethink the proper role for commercials, they will continue to jeopardize, not just the advertisements, but the desire to watch, in some cases, worthwhile and talented laden programs.  How many of us are still watching the commercial interruptions during a movie????  Those days are over. 

The above recommendations will create a balance necessary for success and to once again create a viable rather than insufferable friendship.  To continue to ignore these realities and treat their audiences with indifference will accelerate the destruction of traditional commercial broadcast advertising – a loss that would be most unnecessary and very sad. 

Links - Enjoy

All State – Discount Double Check

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6iaPgW7tNM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfB4PY8Wa10

Office Max – Rubberband Man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dTmck-vD-U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaaZl4ZDz6M

 Discover Card – Peggy Commercials

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZU94rLRcb8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WIwxQjvfFI

 Aflac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS83HdpzxDU         

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=248zETPmvHs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlT-CsJ7HC8

 Nike - Tiger Woods

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYbIq9Zb-kg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci4dT2AylEY

 Sonic 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rA85iBd4RQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0yq8MhilCk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e47crY8z8Y

 Geico 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pBM6qhMnsw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwUj445MdiU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9ZYy1WrSxU

 Wendy’s - Where’s the Beef? -                                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6_eWWfNB54

 

Grocery Shopping With Gloria

Friday was payday for most Americans in the 50’s. 

This was also the day when most mothers would receive the weekly household allowance from dad; and typically this was the day mom would do her grocery shopping.   Saturday was an option, but stores were crowded on Saturday and most closed early.  Of course, Sunday was out of the question as stores remained closed to honor the “Lord’s Day of Rest”.  

This particular Friday provided the worst weather that Minneapolis has to offer.  The snow was deep enough to make the Russians envious and with the howling wind the temperature would have been uncomfortable for a polar bear.   It was a macho day, a day which provided Twin Cities’ residents with bragging rights as to their heartiness. 

There were two grocery stores in close proximity to the family home.  Gloria liked the Red Owl.  It was well-lighted with roomy aisles and upscale services.  It was a bit pricier, but nothing middle class America couldn’t afford.  The second store, a National Tea, was a bit further down the road.

As the family car carefully negotiated the icy streets, Gloria noticed an elderly lady in a thin cotton coat fighting the wind as she trudged through the snow.  It was not uncommon for this homemaker to offer a ride to those in need; however, convenience was not Gloria’s primary concern.  It was for the elderly lady’s wellbeing on this harshest of winter days. 

Once in the car, the stranger was asked where she was going.  She said she was headed to the National Tea store for groceries.  Gloria was now curious as to why she was walking the extra distance on such a miserable day.  The passenger explained that she was a widow trying to survive on a social security check.  She said she was trying to save enough money for bus fare to visit her son in the state prison at Stillwater, Minnesota and choose National Tea because the bread was a few cents cheaper. 

Gloria drove the stranger to the National Tea, but instead of going back to the Red Owl, Gloria and her sons, Michael and Bobby, shopped with the stranger.   As they walked the aisles, Gloria inquired as to the woman’s needs which consisted of nothing beyond the staples.  Gloria, however, kept adding additional items suggesting that she was also shopping for her family. 

When they reached the checkout counter, all the groceries were purchased by Gloria.  When the elderly lady protested the generosity, Gloria explained they would separate the groceries and work out the cost once they arrived at the woman’s home. 

When they arrived, Michael, Bobby and Gloria unloaded the bags from the car and presented them to the elderly lady.  Gloria also slipped an undetermined amount of cash to the stranger as they engaged in a tearful good-bye. 

Gloria then started for home.  Michael asked why she was not going to the Red Owl.  She explained that they didn’t have money for groceries that week.  Michael then inquired as to what they were going to eat and Gloria simply said; “Don’t worry…we’ll get by.” 

The events of that day were never heralded or discussed over the years.  It wasn’t until her funeral that her husband learned of this kindness.  Gloria did not want any credit or praise for her actions.  To her it was simply doing what needed to be done and nothing more. 

Gloria also helped with the building of Children’s Hospital by working with a group of women who published and sold cookbooks and home-crafts to raise money for the project.  This was an effort that extended over ten years… an effort that, on occasion, required the time and attention of a full-time job. 

It has been suggested that the 50’s was a repressive era, an era of the chosen few. 

Women were not part of the chosen and experienced levels of discrimination comparable to that of black Americans.  Gloria could not have secured a position of major responsibility within a company and homemakers seldom received the credit they so richly deserved.  Yet even in an era of repression, greatness could still be achieved.   That mother, on that winter day, left an indelible mark on minds and hearts that would flourish way beyond her years.  Now, hopefully, whenever someone references those “Fabulous Fifties,” we will also remember Gloria and the lessons she taught her children on that frigid Minnesota day.

Defining Moment of Greatness

Whenever his name is mentioned some will surely conjure up what is now routinely referred to in sports vernacular as “the catch.”  Others may remember the four homeruns he hit in a single game on April 30, 1961 at County Stadium in Milwaukee, or possibly, his sixteenth inning homerun at Candlestick Park on July 2, 1963 that finally subdued Warren Spahn and the Braves.  Yet others may recall his 52 homeruns, 7 of which were hit during a 14 game Giant winning streak in September of 1965, resulting in his second MVP award at the age of 34. 

We often fail to look beyond the magnitude of their marvelous athletic abilities and achievements.  In doing so, we divest ourselves of recognizing what truly makes them exceptional - for it is very often their character, even far more than their talent, that defines their greatness.  

The following was learned from my father.  It came to him via a boyhood chum who was a long-time employee of the Minnesota Twins.  For those of us who were made aware of this challenge, it will forever resonate way beyond “the catch” when the name Willie Mays is bandied about.

Mays began the 1951 season with the class AAA Minneapolis Millers of the American Association.  The Millers were a farm team for the New York Giants.  Willie was a huge favorite in the mill city. 

The Giants were managed by the pugnacious, ornery, quick tempered, curmudgeon, Leo “The Lip” Durocher.  When the lads did not perform to Leo’s liking, he would employ his customary course of action, which in Leo’s words were; “back up the truck…it’s time to clean house.” 

Such was the case in the spring of 1951.  The Giants got off to a miserable start while Willie was being Willie by demonstrating that he was the best of the best in Minneapolis. 

Leo called Tommy Heath, the manager of the Millers, and told him to send Willie to New York to join the Giants.  When Heath delivered what he thought would be the greatest news a twenty-year-old could ever receive, he was shocked by Mays’ response.  Willie begged Heath to call “Mr. Leo” back and tell Durocher he wouldn’t be coming.  Heath’s response to this request was to inquire if Mays was nuts.  He told Willie, in no uncertain terms, that he wasn’t about to deliver that kind of news to someone like Leo.  He told Willie he’d have to call Durocher.

Thus, put in play a life altering challenge that would lead to defining the young centerfielder’s true greatness.  Could a terrified kid summon the courage necessary to face these demons of destruction threatening his dream – could he overcome this awful angst?   The first demand would be to call “Mr. Leo.” 

In Mays cracking, high pitched voice he told Durocher he wasn’t coming.  The manager’s response was predictable.  Durocher growled, demanding to know why.  At that point Mays admitted he was scared and didn’t think he was ready for major league pitching.  Leo, in uncharacteristic fashion, then asked Mays what he was currently hitting.  Willie told him four-seventy-six (.476).  Durocher next asked the scared kid if he could hit two-fifty for him.  Willie thought he might be able to do that.  Leo then barked; so put your butt on a plane.

It was now time for the moment of truth – time to reveal the Mays’ gumption and true character.    Succumb to the fear of failure and the allure of the warm nest by buying a ticket to go home to Alabama or go east to New York?  It was at that moment Willie made the biggest play of this life - got his biggest hit and what proved to be his true defining moment of greatest. 

On May 25, 1951 Willie arrived in the Giants’ Clubhouse.  Had his remarkable resolve, at such a young age, not triumphed over the ominous threats of impending disaster we would have been deprived of the enormous pleasure of watching the greatest baseball player play the game – a contention that would never be disputed by anyone who ever spent an afternoon at the ballpark with the “Say Hey kid.”

Dayton Courage Admirable

Wages in America are quickly heading for all-time lows and there doesn’t appear to be any real relief on the way.

In 1968, the minimum wage in the United States was a $1.60 an hour.  Adjusting for inflation, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that to be equivalent to $10.74 today.  This could be a bogus figure.  Government inflation numbers are customarily manipulated to make inflation appear lower.  So that $10.74 figure should, in all likelihood, be much higher.  For further validation consider that a yearly income at $10.64 equates to $21,480.  We must also consider that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has established the poverty level for a family of four at $23,850.  Minnesota has just raised its minimum wage from $6.25 to $8.00 with $9.00 expected by the end of this year.  The best President Obama could manage on the federal level was $10.10.  Talk about Band-Aids on bullet wounds. 

In 1960 the median income for a family of four was $6,691.  A $10,000 income was considered a very comfortable living.  The Pew Research Center has established the high end for a medium income today at $118,000.  After doing all the calculations, that $118,000 is what it would take today to provide the same purchasing power enjoyed in 1960.  The same report describes this mid-tier group as suffering its "worst decade in modern history," having fallen backward in income for the first time since the end of World War II. 

What made America the greatest country in the world for decades was an affluent middle class.  As economist Robert Reich points out; “For three decades after World War II, we created the largest middle class the world had ever seen. During those years the wages of the typical American worker doubled, just as the size of the American economy doubled.” 

Today, good paying full-time jobs are disappearing and being replaced by low paying part-time jobs.  In 2014, 76.7% of the jobs created were part time jobs.    In 2014, 76.7% of the jobs created were part time jobs.  Meanwhile the Bureau of Labor Statistics also tells us there are nine million Americans out of work making the unemployment rate 5.7%.  Like always, they fail to factor in the Economic Policy Institute’s figure of 5,760,000 “missing workers” for 2015.  When those are added, the true number of unemployed is some 15 million and the actual unemployment rate is 9%.  We certainly have learned that the only thing that’s going to turn this economy around is placing more disposable and discretionary spending in the hands of the middle class which no one seems to have any inclination to do these days. 

Enter Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton.  He has outraged both Republicans and Democrats by proposing raises for state commissioners.  These commissioners have had their salaries frozen for a decade.  

Current salary levels of these commissioners range from $58,000 to $119,000.  Under the Dayton’s proposal most would receive approximately a $30,000 increase or roughly a 3% per year increase over that decade in which they were ignored.  By today’s standards these are clearly middle-class Americans. 

Naturally there are those who will argue that these government income levels should be less because their benefit packages are so generous.  What these critics fail to bear in mind is that benefit packages do not translate into increased spendable income which the economy is desperately needs.  They also have forgotten that stronger benefit packages typically result in greater amounts of discretionary income.   The less an American must spend on health care or retirement packages and savings programs, the more spendable income they have to stimulate the economy – a lesson learned from labor unions decades ago.  Instead of making arguments that government benefits are too generous, we need to be arguing that private sector packages are too meager. 

Then there are those who will argue these increases reflect a lack of respect for all those Americans who have been denied raises for years.  To this we need to inquire about “two wrongs making a right” while pointing out that this selfish based thinking will only continue to manifest itself until we demand an end to these contemptible wage practices.  

Governor Dayton is to be admired for his Harry Truman brand of courage on this issue.  He knew full well the serious criticism he would receive but also knew it was the right thing to do – to take the lead in providing the middle class with greater spendable income while hopefully encouraging, if not beginning, a trend toward reversing all the years of ugly, greed driven wage stagnation.