Should the Minimum Wage Be Raised to $10.10 an Hour by 2016? [Poll]

The United States Senate voted down Wednesday a proposal backed by President Obama to increase the minimum wage nationwide from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour in three steps, concluding in 2016.

In an election-year showdown over a Democratic priority, raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, Senate Republicans blocked the measure unleashing a torrent of criticism from President Barack Obama and his party.

The measure failed to get the 60 votes needed to open debate in the 100-seat Senate, with only one Republican joining majority Democrats in an unsuccessful effort to overcome the GOP filibuster.

Efforts to raise the minimum wage have generally faced bitter opposition from business groups and executives, who say it would cost jobs as employers seek to cut their payroll costs. A report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office concluded that an increase to $10.10 would cost the nation 500,000 lost jobs, but it would lift 900,000 families out of poverty.

The minimum wage in Illinois is at $8.25 an hour ,in Missouri it is $7.50 an hour and in Iowa it is $7.25 an hour.

So I ask you this question: Is it better to have more people working at $7.25 an hour (the Federal rate) or less people working at 10.10 an hour. Cast your vote below!