The good news is that finally the nation's working poor are getting a break. The minimum wage will increase $.70 in '07, $.70 in '08 and $.70 in '09 where it will reach $7.25 per hour. This will give approximately 4% of the labor force a raise. The bad news is that it was tied to the "war" funding bill which was watered down to provide funding without any deadline for withdrawal. This is politics as usual putting our lawmakers in a no-win situation. If they vote for the bill they supporting this insane "war". If they vote against it they're voting against a much needed raise in income for the working poor. Surprisingly, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton voted against the bill. I guess they've developed more of a conscience about the debacle in Iraq than getting an increase in the minimum wage. Bush is expected to sign the bill quickly.