House bill was cynical ploy

Suddenly, our Republican House of Representatives became compassionate and decided to raise the minimum wage, the first time in nine years. Although members of Congress have received numerous raises above and beyond the cost of living, the average worker receives less in real wages than any time in the last 50 years, and many earn below poverty level.Were politicians so frightened by plummeting election-year polls that they conquered their aversion to increases? Still they couldn't help the poor without offering further help to the super-rich by reducing the estate tax, paid by fewer than 2 percent of the wealthiest Americans, but delivering billions of dollars to our tax coffers.This bill, supported by U.S. Reps. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, and James Saxton, R-3rd, with no chance of passing the Senate, was a cynical attempt to convince Americans that they care. Do they really think Americans are that stupid? Bettie Reina, Milmay - Published in the Atlantic City Press, Ausgust 15, 2006