Now that the dust has settled after the election it’s time to talk about what a new Congress has or should have in store for the working stiff.

Things to keep an eye on in the months ahead:
1. Will minimum wage ever be in sync with the cost of living? Politicians from both parties are out of touch with the financial struggles of the working class. I say that with some certainty because anyone that thinks it’s okay not to fight for an increase needs a reality check. We’re talking $5.15 an hour. That’s barely enough to cover health insurance premiums for an individual, who, given their low wage, is probably not getting any health coverage from their employer.
2. And speaking about health insurance…will the government finally agree on some sort of universal coverage for workers and entrepreneurs? All I hear about these days is the dread and fear almost every non-wealthy person has over healthcare. Workers tell me their employers keep cutting back on coverage and are making them pick up a larger portion of the premium, if they’re offered coverage at all; while entrepreneurs are having trouble keeping their businesses afloat because of escalating health insurance costs.
3. Are worker rights going to get a needed boost? Across the board, when it comes to collective bargaining rights and wage and hour issues, employees have seen their rights diminish in recent years. The National Labor Relations Board’s recent ruling on union-joining rights for workers is a prime example “NLRB ruling”. Will the Democrats, for years known as the party of the daily grinders, push for the strengthening of worker rights on all fronts or will corporate interests win the day? There is a way to jive the bottom line with treating employees like human beings. Again, Costco is a great example of a company that doesn’t listen to Wall Street’s objections and continues to pay workers fair wages and good benefits.

Ok, just a sampling of what’s before the new Congress come January. While it might not seem like it, they have more on their plate than Iraq.