Hey MPPs: can't you live on $90K?

Here's my latest letter to York Region's MPPs
Dear Julia Munro, Frank Klees, Mario Racco and Greg Sorbara,
I've noticed the Ontario government recently got a little stuck on the number 25.
As an Ontario MPP, you gave yourself a 25-per-cent pay raise for Christmas and then added 25 cents to the province's minimum hourly wage.
As of Feb. 1, Ontario's minimum hourly wage goes from the current $7.75 to $8.
The 25-cent add-on translates into a 3.2-per-cent pay hike for the working poor. 
I did the math: you'll make an extra $30,000 this year, while minimum wage earners will score an additional $500.
I know, I know: traditionally, the moment anyone suggests increasing the minimum wage, the business community goes into its "hard times" mode, warning the government any serious move to improve the quality of life for the working poor would simply send Ontario business straight to the poor house.
The government listens to business. It always does. It's a tradition.
I'm aware business would throw itself out the 27th-floor window if the province authorized a 25-per-cent hike to Ontario's minimum wage.
If the thought of a 25-per-cent raise would trigger suicidal tendencies in one group, why not in all groups? Why didn't you restrict your salary hike to 3.2 per cent? If it's good enough for the working poor, why isn't it good enough for you?
How would we, as a society, make out without the people who serve us our fast food, clean our offices, wash our hair, pump our gas and serve us in convenience stores and other retail outlets. They're our minimum wage earners and they represent about 5 per cent of Ontario's workforce. I'd wager you couldn't make it to Queen's Park without at least one of them serving you on the way.   
Incidentally, my company also uses the number 25 to establish my annual salary hike. I got a 2.5-per cent salary increase in 2006 and am anticipating the same this year.
As it is, your base salary as an MPP went from $88,771 to $110,775, while the annual pay for a minimum wage earner goes from $15,500 to $16,000.
Here are my last two questions.
1/ Can't you live on $90,000?
2/ Could you live on $16,000?
Love, your friend Joan
P.S. You can send your answers via this blog

Comments

[charlene]

I am moved by your blog it makes me feel good knowning somebody,elce is thinking the same way I do

Thanks
Charlene