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Faithful America urges: EVERYONE Deserves a Living Wage
[1-12-06]
This Sunday, had Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived, he would celebrate his
77th birthday. If he were here today he would no doubt be asking YOU - as a
person of faith and conscience - to stand with him in a cause for which he
was passionate - a living wage for all workers.
From his 1963 "I have a dream" speech to his final act of
supporting striking workers in Memphis, TN, King's call for a living wage
was more than an economic issue – it was and IS a matter of human rights.
Since King's death in 1968, the news has not been good.
For more than EIGHT YEARS the federal minimum wage of
$5.15 has not been increased. Since that time, inflation has eroded its
value by more than 15 percent. Consequently, to have the purchasing power it
had in 1968, the minimum wage would have to be $9.05 per hour today - an
increase of $3.90. Minimum wage employees working full time, year round earn
only $10,700 a year - $5,000 below the official poverty line for a family of
three. In contrast, in the eight years since Congress last raised the
minimum wage, your elected officials have raised their own salaries seven
times.
You and your faith community now have an opportunity to
right this injustice. We are asking you to engage your faith community in
the ongoing march for a just living wage. Our sister organization, "Let
Justice Roll" has launched its Living Wage Campaign. We need you help
organize a prayerful and meaningful event in your faith community that
enables you and those in your circle of concern to help move local, state,
and federal government officials toward a just, compassionate, and
appropriate living wage. Centered around this weekend's remembrance of
King's birthday, the folks at Let Justice Roll have provided everything you
need to make it happen! The Program is called:
LIVING WAGE DAYS
To learn more,
CLICK HERE and help all American workers obtain a LIVING WAGE!
There you can READ UP, SIGN UP, and STEP UP!
Notice that there are a variety of downloadable materials
for study and action. So many will benefit by your commitment to pass
legislation at every level to raise the minimum wage. Let's stand together -
people of every faith - in calling for a new day for America's workers. You
can help make happen, and it can begin right here, right now!
Blessings to you as ever,
Vince Isner and your
FaithfulAmerica.org Team
"Let justice roll down like waters and
righteousness like an overflowing stream."
Amos 5:24
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