Just when I think that he can't get any worse, I read this on the White House Web site - an Executive Order eliminating the minimum "prevailing" wage in the affected areas:
(b) The wage rates imposed by section 3142 of title 40, United States Code, increase the cost to the Federal Government of providing Federal assistance to these areas.Let me break that down for you. At a time of national crisis, and the President already having signed $61 BILLION in disaster relief, we as a nation can't afford to pay $9 an hour to laborers?
(c) Suspension of the subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code, 40 U.S.C. 3141-3148, and the operation of related acts to the extent they depend upon the Secretary of Labor's determinations under section 3142 of title 40, United States Code, will result in greater assistance to these devastated communities and will permit the employment of thousands of additional individuals.
...
And, as to such contracts to be performed in such jurisdictions, I do hereby suspend, until otherwise provided, the provisions of any Executive Order, proclamation, rule, regulation, or other directive providing for the payment of wages, which provisions are dependent upon determinations by the Secretary of Labor under section 3142 of title 40, United States Code
Of course we can.
This isn't about employing more people, this is a disgusting cash grab the likes of which has never been visited upon our nation. Didn't take long for this to happen, did it? They are the most inhuman corrupt bunch of assholes.
Like mother like son. Hey, those laborers have it pretty good down there! (HOMELESS and trying to rebuild their communities.) They don't need $9 an hour.
Just when I think that George Bush can't disgust me any more...
UPDATE: As noted in the comments, officially the "prevailing" wage has been suspended. As I read the statement from the White House, there is a little catch-all phrase in there that with this crowd I think people should take a second look at:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do by this proclamation suspend, as to all contracts entered into on or after the date of this proclamation and until otherwise provided, the provisions of subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code, 40 U.S.C. 3141-3148, and the provisions of all other acts providing for the payment of wages, which provisions are dependent upon determinations by the Secretary of Labor under section 3142 of title 40, United States Code, as they apply to contracts to be performed in the following jurisdictions"all other acts" is awfully broad, don't you think? The Bush people would never hide something in plain sight, would they? Worth a second look...
