Firstly I'd like to thank Ted for hosting this at such short notice- it's much appreciated and the poor folks who organize these events don't get enough credit. I'd also like to thank Enduro for taking part as well-it's been good that we've been able to exchange views throughout this election, and keep the flame of competition alive.
Enduro has proposed abolishing the minimum wage, while Senator Blair has proposed raising it. Candidates, why is your proposal correct? Why is the other candidate's proposal wrong for the North?
Well firstly let's establish that we're going to inherent a bad situation with the 4th Constitution, as the legislative reset means that we're going to lose a lot of good, and bi-partisan legislation that helped workers. I mean I'd firstly say that Senator Yankee, who's hardly a devout leftist by any measure supported raising the minimum wage in the 'Set it and leave it alone Act'. We can have debates about how much to raise the minimum wage, how to help small businesses and how to understand regional differences- I'm more than happy to meet with my fellow Senators with a common sense approach to this. Frankly however, Enduro proposal is one of the most extreme economic policies that I've seen put forward by any opponent in any election I've faced.
Now I'll make the case for my own proposal first, because frankly I think the hard earned workers of Atlasia need a raise.
Under my plan to raise the minimum wage to $12.50 by 2020 over 35 million workers would be better off. This would bring a tidal wave of economic growth to our economy, and give workers safety, security and comfort in the work place. As I said with my proposal
I'd also allow the regions and states to set their own rates higher- as I hope the North would in certain cities where the cost of living has skyrocketed. I'd also with my own plan introduce a tax relief for small businesses- the independent coffee shop, the bookstore down the road or the independent startup that has just launched.
Now Enduro's proposal isn't just wrong for the Northeast- it's wrong for Atlasia. As I've said before on this campaign the big problem with Enduro's approach is firstly it's not grounded in facts. Let's have a look at what Enduro said about abolishing the minimum wage
It is a terrible policy that doesn't help the economy at all.
False +Numerous academic journals have argued that increasing the minimum wage helps boost the economy +
It would also lead to a lowering in the amount spend of welfare
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Again, False.+ Firstly I provided a tax relief plan to help small businesses, and have proposed that the change occur by 2020 allowing it to be slowly implemented. This is an old talking point that's been thrown around for ages; and is
Over 600 economists signed a letter saying that an increase wouldn't harm jobs +
States that increased the minimum wage have seen higher job growth + Businesses, such as Ben and Jerry's support increasing the minimum wage. It allows for more investment into workers, better working conditions, higher productivity and a more effective workforce
What this comes down to is your approach- I believe in governing that focuses on the lives of the hard workers of this nation, and makes our government responsible to these every people. Now I know that some on the right will present this as the tyranny of government but my philosophy is simple- the government should be prepared to step in and stand up for workers when there rights, there working conditions and their very livelihoods are threatened- whether it's limiting air pollution, banning lead paint, allowing workers to unionize or the government simply proposing every worker should get a fair wage it's clear that we need a government that can act for it's people
Enduro has claimed that his policy is based on freedom- frankly his proposal only offers the freedom for Atlasians' workers to be even poorer.