Let Republicans try to live on $7.25 an hour

By Michael J.W. Stickings 

In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Obama proposed raising the federal minimum wage to $9 from the current $7.25. That's per hour. 

Not surprisingly, some Republicans -- including Ayn Rand devotee Paul Ryan -- have already stated their, and their party's, unwavering opposition.

Their arguments are simply wrong. Increases in the minimum wage do not destroy jobs (though some employers can use them as an excuse to lay people off) and are not inflationary in any significant way (and besides, inflation is not a problem at the moment).

They're also cruel, a reflection of the GOP's penchant for brutality (specifically for the brutalization of low-income Americans).

But let them try to live on $7.25 an hour. Or even $9. For that matter, let them live in a cardboard box over a heating grate with no hope at all.

As they insist on being such insensitive, uncompassionate right-wing fucks, I for one would welcome that. It might even make me think there's some justice in the world.