What Minimum Wage?

       There's been so much talk about raising the minimum wage to so many different amounts that it's hard to keep score. Then there are the arguments for and against those raises. It'll stifle business growth. People need to be paid a living wage. Most minimum wage earners are teens living at home. Most minimum wage earners are single parent adults.
       I'll bet you can find counter claims for every argument put forward. But is doubling the current rate going a bit too far? Maybe so, maybe not. Let's remember just how long it's been since it was last raised. I've got a suggestion that might solve two problems at the same time.
       Why not tie the federal minimum wage to the Congressional wage increases. Members of the United States Congress receive increases automatically, they do not vote on them. That was a semi-good idea. They can't vote themselves a raise. But if they can't even vote themselves a raise, why should they be able to vote for or against raises for the bottom rung of workers in America. Every time there's a raise for your Senator or Congressional Representative, an equal percentage raise in the minimum wage would take place as well.
       That would eliminate all the fuss over why poor people should get raises. Or it might raise a flag on how much our representation in Congress is getting for so little they do for us. Now I don't mean to suggest that these fine legislators aren't worth all they make, or even that they should make more. But if they're worth more, shouldn't the people who serve them in stores and eateries and everywhere else, be worth more as well? The same should hold true for states. A raise for one is good for all.
       Maybe then we could get on with even more pressing issues for our Congress to work on. I know it would be another stake in the heart for our legislators to lose control over yet another facet of power, but the need to streamline our government is important too.