From the TIB Network:
by Matt Hurley
What is John Kerry
ranting about now?
"The Bush administration's new overtime regulations represent a shameful assault on the paychecks of hard-working Americans at a time when they are already putting in more hours, paying more for every day costs and saving less than ever before.
"Getting paid for an honest day's work has been a bedrock principle in America for nearly 70 years. Workers should be paid what they deserve when they take time away from their families and put in more than 40 hours a week. That is why a Kerry-Edwards administration will waste no time in reversing this affront to millions of workers, and in restoring their fundamental right to get overtime pay whenever they work more than 40 hours a week."
Here is the most relevant thing I could find on the
campaign site:
Kerry's Claim: 8 million workers will lose overtime pay.
The Truth: 6.7 million workers earning less than $23,660 will have their overtime protections guaranteed. For workers in the middle, the final rule is more protective, or at least as protective, of their overtime rights than the old rule.
The "8 million" number comes from a study conducted by the Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank whose board includes the heads of several major labor unions and which the New York Times cites as being left leaning. It is not a serious, scientific study and includes numerous technical flaws. The study’s author even admitted that the figure is inflated since it includes 1.5 million part-time workers who aren’t currently eligible for overtime hours (Source: “The Facts and Fallacy Surrounding the Department of Labor’s Proposed White Collar Regulations”, Department of Labor, 2003 & House Education And The Workforce Committee, “Fact Sheet: Proposed DOL Regulations Protect And Ensure That Low-Income Workers Receive Overtime Pay,” 7/21/03; “Would Bush Eliminate Overtime Pay for 8 Million?”, FactCheck.org, 4/5/2004).
Kerry's Claim: "Blue collar" workers will lose overtime pay.
The Truth: The final regulation clearly states that "blue collar" workers are entitled to overtime pay. (Section 541.3(a))
I'm not kidding. I have no idea what
Waffles is on about now...if there is a liberal out there who can tell me what bill the President has signed or is about to sign in to law, I'd appreciate it if they'd
email me. Is this an old debate being resurfaced because he's out of ammo?
John Kerry Delenda Est!
