Thursday Links

• Republicans, who can't just help working Americans without aiding Corporate America, have held up the minimum wage bill in the Senate. They won't let it pass unless there are also further tax breaks for businesses included. Ted Kennedy - "Why can't we do just one thing for minimum-wage workers, no strings attached, no giveaways for the powerful?" That's a great question. Contact your senators to voice support for a clean minimum wage increase.

• Given that the Republicans are going to do everything they can to delay an increase in the federal minimum wage, it's a good thing for Iowans that their state government has an increase on the way. The bill could be sent to Democratic Governor (and '08 Presidential candidate) Tom Vilsack by the end of the week.

• Another reason to be happy the Democrats are in control of Congress. - a bipartisan group of senators have introduced legislation aimed at preventing American companies from profiting from the use of foreign sweatshops and other unfair labor practices abroad. Think this would have happened if the Republicans were still in power?

• New Orleans needs, among other things, teachers.

• "Outrageous Injustice," the story of Genarlow Wilson.