TREASURE ISLAND

Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-FL) of Indian Shores had some choice words for a constituent who asked the lawmaker Wednesday if he supported raising the minimum wage, repeatedly telling the young man to “get a job.”

After a constituent approached Young during a 4th of July event and asked him if he would support a bill currently circulating in the House to raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour, Young answered that he probably would not.  Instead of walking away, however, Young turned to the constituent and asked, “How about getting a job?”

When the constituent informed Young that he did, in fact, have a job– one that pays him $8.50 an hour–  the Republican looked puzzled. “Then why do you want that benefit?” Young asked, before again instructing the man to “get a job.”

Young, who is seeking his 22nd term to Congress in the newly-drawn 13th Congressional District, then walked away as the constituent explained that $8.50 an hour was not a livable wage.

Jessica Ehrlich, the Democratic challenger hoping to unseat Young, called the Republican’s latest comments further proof he is out of touch with people he represents in Congress.

“Bill Young is out of touch with what hard working people go through everyday,” Ehrlich told FLDemocracy. “His comments are a stark reminder of the sad fact that he lost touch with middle class folks years ago.”

–Nora McAlvanah

Here is a video of the exchange obtained by FLDemocracy:

Tags | Bill Young, Jessica Ehrlich, minimum wage