Jackson Free Press

The Associated Press is reporting that as Democrats take over Congress this week, a large majority of Americans are supporting the party's primary goals:

Two of the Democrats' top goals - a higher minimum wage and federal funding of embryonic stem cell research - enjoy broad public support as the party takes control of Congress for the first time in a dozen years. An overwhelming majority also supports making it easier for people to buy prescription drugs from other countries. A boost to the $5.15-an-hour federal minimum wage would be the first since 1997. Democratic leaders have proposed raising it in stages to $7.25 an hour. President Bush has said he supports the idea, along with help for small businesses. Fully 80 percent of survey respondents favor an increase, too.[...]

Support is strongest among Democrats, 91 percent, while 65 percent of Republicans back the idea. Women, men without college degrees and single women all are especially likely to favor a minimum wage hike.

Nearly seven of 10 adults, 69 percent, favor the government taking steps to make it easier for people to buy prescription drugs from other countries, where some medicines cost significantly less than in the U.S.

Importing prescription drugs to the United States is illegal, but the Food and Drug Administration generally does not bar individuals from bringing in small amounts for personal use. At the same time, the government has estimated that buying drugs from other countries would do little to influence what they cost at home.

Previous Comments

ID

109718

Comment

Indeed po' folks gotta eat too. Most would like to sleep inside too even if in a shack or shanty. And they need a piece-azz car to get to work. I don't know how anybody can be against this except they hate the poor and downtrotten? I compare it to welfare roughly. I don't get mad at people on welfare because I know they're barely making it, if at all. Most soon figure out they're better off trying to escape it when possible. I ain't worrying about any impact to our economy either; and if any, I'll be sure to blame it on the war and the republicans, the rightful place. Smile. We should now see less hatred of each party, less crash and burn, less endless clash of armies, and less polarizing influences. Yet I hope the Democrats kick some azz just as was done to them but only when appropriate and justified. The wolf don't stop being a wolf just because his legs are broken. His spirit and ability to harm have to be broken too. Most of all, I hope we see less Ralph Reeds, Grover Norquists, the old Bush, the crazy Cheney and that kind of harmful individuals. The public needs and desrves national renewal and shared interest beyond the selfish shenanigans of either party, especially the republican party that was about to lead us to hell in a handbasket.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-01-03T12:28:38-06:00

ID

109719

Comment

By the way, the Democrats take over congress today. Everything is so quiet thus far. I expected more grumblings and chaos like on the occasion when Representative Foley tried to confess his missteps and misdeeds to the priest. It is reported rather quietly that Foley gave up because of all the interruptions he kept getting from Father Me Too. It was said that at each confessional step or increment the father kept screaming out "me too" causing Foley to leave out running. God help us all.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-01-04T10:49:46-06:00