Remember how it
felt waiting for your favorite rock band hit the stage? Remember how the crowd
erupted in screams, cheers and a standing ovation before they even hit the
first note? Well, that’s exactly the uproar that took place when President
Obama and the Gubernatorial All-Stars hit the stage to promote raising the standard
minimum wage to $10.10.
On stage with three
other governors, Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, Peter Shumlin of Vermont and
Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island, Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was
introduced to a big round of applause. In great spirits Malloy said "I
absolutely believe that if you work 40 hours a week, you shouldn't be living in
poverty in Connecticut or any other state.” He introduced the President
by saying, “There is a time to lead and a time to follow.
I will follow this President on the great policies he will put forward, New
England needs to lead on this issue."
President Obama presented his case
to a very receptive audience of 3,000 on the campus of Central
Connecticut State University.
Photo Credit: Jocelyne Hudson-Brown
Obama said. "It
is a central task for all of us to build an economy that works for everybody,
not just for some. We also believe is that nobody who works full-time
should ever have to raise a family in poverty. That violates a basic sense of who we are.”
Writers Note: I asked a random
young lady in the crowd (17 years old, not ID’d by name as she is a minor) what
an increase in minimum wage would mean to her.
She said it would mean she could
pay all of her rent on time. Rent? A 17 year old child? Yes, rent! Her parents
are deceased, at one point while taking care of her brothers she/they had been
homeless! She said it would mean she could “afford to buy meat” as she had not
been eating any lately since she was short on funds. It would also allow her to
pay for transportation to and from high school.
Hers is but one story out of many
of people who work every day and are struggling. There are millions of hard
working Americans who like her just need/want an “opportunity”. "And
that's why it's time to give America a raise." says President Obama.
