OPINION: Democrats Discuss — A federal minimum wage boost is long overdue

Jane Roche is a sophomore studying political science pre-law. She is a member of the Ohio University College Democrats. The following article reflects the opinions and views of the author and does not represent the thoughts of the Ohio University College Democrats.

This is a submitted column. Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.

The fight for a $15 federal minimum wage has entered Congress yet again. 

Fast-food workers from 15 different cities across the country are mobilizing to push for this piece of legislation. Even though the federal minimum wage hasn’t been raised in 12 years, there is still debate in Democratic circles about whether or not this is the best course of action. The age-old argument that the cost of living will increase with wages looms over this debate as Democrats contemplate the best course of action to take.

While discussing the logistics of raising the federal minimum wage, it is important to note that this fight has been going on for nearly ten years. The fight for $15 began back in 2012; in 2021, we’re still mulling it over. We’ve dragged our feet on the issue so much that $15 no longer carries the weight it did before. 

Raising the federal minimum wage is the least Congress can do to provide some relief. 

It seems ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started in the United States, many members of Congress have forgotten that they are indebted to the American people. Working-class people of this country have suffered enough at the hands of this pandemic and at the hands of this consistently stagnant government. 

While concerns about the cost of living in raising the minimum wage are heard, they are largely tone-deaf to the real problems everyday Americans face. 

Refusing to raise the minimum wage, for this reason, exposes the fundamental flaw of American society: We are held captive by billion-dollar companies. Corporations manufacture the discourse surrounding the minimum wage in order for them to strategically come out on top time and time again. 

We are approaching one year into the pandemic, yet there have only been two rounds of stimulus checks issued and no comprehensive care allowing employees to stay home in the interest of their health. 

This country is ill-equipped for disaster, and it has become glaringly obvious. Increasing the federal minimum wage and investing in workers and unions is one critical step in being prepared for the next national disaster. 

It is criminal that we haven’t raised the federal minimum wage since 2009, and that the federal minimum wage isn’t already tied to inflation. The worst of it all is how we treat the working class. 

For a group of politicians who love to play the “working class” card every election cycle, they sure love to abandon those values the moment they sit down in their opulent offices. Our elected officials — of either party — can’t continue to get away with this. 

We all need to join the fight for $15. Call your elected officials. Stand in solidarity with your fellow Americans. Take this time to boycott big corporations to show you care about their workers and their union. 

When our service workers rise, so do we.