Economically illiterate Dem. California congresswoman proposes ‘solution’ for disastrous policies created by Democrats.
Democrat Rep. Barbara Lee (Calif.) defended her plan to impose a $50 minimum wage for California businesses during a debate Monday.
Appearing alongside other candidates vying for former Democrat Congresswoman Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat, Rep. Lee claimed she’d previously called for a $50 minimum wage because of California’s high cost of living, but said she’d settle for a $20, or $25-an-hour wage.
“In the Bay Area, I believe it was the United Way that came out with a report that very recently $127,000 for a family of four is just barely enough to get by,” Lee said. “Another survey very recently: $104,000. For a family of one, barely enough to get by low income because of the affordability crisis.”
“Just do the math. Of course we have national minimum wages that we need to raise to a living wage,” Lee said. “We’re talking about $20, $25 – fine. But I have got to be focused on what California needs and what the affordability factor is when we calculate this wage.”
A $50 minimum wage would net everyone a guaranteed annual income of $104,000. Census data shows only 34% of US households earn over $100,000 yearly.
Of course, Rep. Lee’s “solution,” which would likely bankrupt small businesses, obfuscates and overlooks the real problem at hand — the fact that runaway inflation is driving up the cost of living and making it increasingly difficult for families to make ends meet, regardless of minimum wage adjustments.
Rep. Lee’s lack of economic awareness was mocked on social media.
The funniest part is Rep. Lee never answered the debate moderator’s question asking how the minimum wage increase would be “economically sustainable for small businesses.”
