Future Bard

I am in shock. According to the NY Times, the Democrats voted down the minimum wage bill... and I couldn't be happier!

Why?

Republicans tied their support for a wage raise to $7.25 an hour in exchange for the following wish list:

1. A permanent reduction in the estate tax
2. $38 billion in tax breaks and federal aid

This was the proposed Republican New Deal: the poor earn $7 an hour and pay full taxes while rich families receive the first $10 million of their inheritance tax free.

Amazingly, the Democrats showed some spine and voted the provision down. I never expected this because they have never done anything similar in my entire political lifetime (1992 - present).

These days, we the people have to savor our few small victories. A glimmer of hope shines brigther in my soul today.