Well, it’s not the perfect piece of legislation Democrats were hoping for, but the Senate was finally able to pass an increase in the minimum wage from the pathetic $5.15/hour to the improved (but still needing work) $7.25/hour over the next two years.  Granted, Democrats had to compromise on tax breaks for businesses, but that’s to be expected.  At least compromise could be reached.  The Republican held Senate refused to even discuss the matter. 

The world of unashamed liberal opinion lost one its greats.  After a hard battle against breast cancer, Molly Ivins has passed on.  I didn’t always like what Ivins had to say, but she always came off as someone who didn’t quite give shit if you liked what she had to say.  And damn could she be funny!