What are working taxpayers paying Republicans for?

There are many explanations for why labor’s share of income is falling. Globalization, automation, skills-based technological change and the decline of unions all play a part. But in the end, all these explanations end up saying the same thing: Most workers have less power to negotiate raises than they did a generation ago. And that’s truest for those who making the least money and holding the fewest skills. ...Ezra Klein, WaPo

In other words, move at least a couple of points closer to San Francisco's minimum wage law.  Here's an excerpt from an interview with Gavin Newsom, former SF mayor, current California Lt. Governor.

Diane Rehm:  So what's happened to San Francisco, for example?

Gavin Newsom:  Interestingly, it is a pocket of prosperity that distinguishes itself from the rest of the state. And I find it wonderful in this respect. And let me give you specifics. You know, I am really enjoying this debate around the minimum wage proposal the president made. You know, San Francisco's minimum wage -- and this may shock people -- it's the highest in the United States of America.I'm very proud of this. When I was mayor, we enacted an indexed minimum wage. Today it's $10.55. San Francisco is the only city in America that has universal health care. We did this years ago. We are the only city with paid sick leave. We're a city that has one of the most robust living wages. We have a very strong partnership with our labor family, not just the public sector, but the private sector. ...DRShow, WAMU

You'd think the Republican party would learn. As economist Paul Krugman has pointed out repeatedly, they don't. 

There’s a lesson in here for Republicans. When they kill the Obama administration’s more technocratic proposals but don’t propose an alternative way to solve the underlying problem, they end up getting backed into a corner by his more populist proposals. That basically happened in the tax debate, where they refused to cut a big deal that included tax reform and so got stuck with a tax increase that simply raised rates. It’s likely to happen here, too. ...Ezra Klein, WaPo

That's something to look forward to.  Meanwhile, there are working people out there who are barely surviving.  And a Republican party of shirkers, unwilling to do the job they're paid for.  Of course, they get better than minimum wage.  Are they worth it?

In Washington, Congress is going home Friday with a lot of work un-done. Two key national security jobs are in limbo and billions in automatic spending cuts are scheduled to happen right after they return. ...necn.com

They're not going home for just the weekend.  That's a week-long recess, friends.  I think the excuse is that it's the Presidents' Day holiday.  Of course, the president will be working.