Top targeted Republican Bill Young’s campaign has had a very bad news cycle. Young, who in 2010 “voted for a cost-of-living pay increase for himself and other members of Congress” was caught on cameraabruptly telling a young constituent that he would not support increasing the minimum wage to $10 an hour, and then followed up by snidely asking the young man “how about getting a job?”
When the constituent informed Young that he did, in fact, have a job– one that pays him $8.50 an hour– the Republican “looked puzzled.”
Coverage of this campaign damaging youtube moment below:
Florida congressman to minimum-wage workers: ‘Get a job!’ [New York Daily News]
Rep. Bill Young Answers Minimum Wage Question: ‘Get A Job’ [Huffington Post]
Republican lawmaker tells worker wanting higher minimum wage to ‘get a job’ [Raw Story]
Congressman Reveals Republican Position on Minimum Wage Raise: ‘Get a Job’ [VIDEO] [International Business Times]
GOP Congressman Tells Man Asking About Minimum Wage To ‘Get A Job’ [Mediate]
When asked about raising the minimum wage, Congressman Bill Young tells questioner to “Get a job” [Creative Loafing]
GOP Rep. Tells Constituent Who Asks About Raising The Minimum Wage To ‘Get A Job’ [ThinkProgress]
FLDEMOCRACY2012: Rep. Young Tells Constituent Who Gets Minimum Wage To ‘Get A Job’
July 5, 2012
TREASURE ISLAND
Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-FL) of Indian Shores had some choice words for a constituent who asked the lawmaker Wednesday if he supported raising the minimum wage, repeatedly telling the young man to “get a job.”
After a constituent approached Young during a 4th of July event and asked him if he would support a bill currently circulating in the House to raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour, Young answered that he probably would not. Instead of walking away, however, Young turned to the constituent and asked, “How about getting a job?”
When the constituent informed Young that he did, in fact, have a job– one that pays him $8.50 an hour– the Republican looked puzzled. “Then why do you want that benefit?” Young asked, before again instructing the man to “get a job.”
Young, who is seeking his 22nd term to Congress in the newly-drawn 13th Congressional District, then walked away as the constituent explained that $8.50 an hour was not a livable wage.
Jessica Ehrlich, the Democratic challenger hoping to unseat Young, called the Republican’s latest comments further proof he is out of touch with people he represents in Congress.
“Bill Young is out of touch with what hard working people go through everyday,” Ehrlich told FLDemocracy. “His comments are a stark reminder of the sad fact that he lost touch with middle class folks years ago.”