Obama seeks minimum wage rise | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Breakingnews >

Obama seeks minimum wage rise

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama called for raising the federal minimum wage to $9 an hour and warned he will use executive powers to get his way on issues from climate change to manufacturing if Congress does not act, laying out an assertive second-term agenda sure to provoke Republicans.

In the first State of the Union address since winning re- election, Obama proposed making preschool available to all 4- year-olds, negotiating a new trade agreement with the European Union and spending $50 billion on urgent infrastructure projects. He lauded steps by companies including Apple Inc. and Ford Motor Co. to bring jobs back to the US.

"It is our unfinished task to make sure that this government works on behalf of the many, and not just the few; that it encourages free enterprise, rewards individual initiative, and opens the doors of opportunity to every child across this great nation," Obama said in the text of the speech delivered to a joint session of Congress.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Most Viewed

  • Karun-Tankhun confrontation (video)

    A video clip of former Pheu Thai MP Karun Hosakul exchanging heated words with his former election rival Tankhun Jitt-itsara of the opposition Democrat Party has gone viral.

Your comments

  • onlyasking

    ThailandPost : 453

    Send message

    Discussion 3 : 13 Feb 2013 at 15.443

    Raising the minimum wages could lead to less employment. So is Obama wanting more people unemployed ? This potential increase plus the cost of Obamacare could have a very negative impact on the US employment and economy.

  • spiceman

    United StatesPost : 3,475

    Send message

    Discussion 2 : 13 Feb 2013 at 11.152

    Here we go again!

  • Naujas

    United StatesPost : 6

    Send message

    Discussion 1 : 13 Feb 2013 at 10.471

    Sounds like he is being a bit more pro-active. Up until now, he's betrayed the poor. It might be time for redemption. The next few years could be exciting after all.

Reply

Sign in once and access every part of the website at your convenience!

Please log in to our Bangkokpost.com community to post your comment.
You can sign in to the community by clicking here.

If you are not part of the community yet, please sign up here. By being part of this community you will get all these privileges.