On June 26, a group of citizens here in West Virginia delivered a petition to their Congresswoman — Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) — calling on Capito to hold a public meeting in the district during the August Congressional recess to discuss raising the minimum wage from the current $7.25 an hour to $10.50 an hour.
The petition was signed by 400 citizens of Capito’s Second Congressional District.
“We the undersigned call on Congresswoman Capito to meet with us at a town meeting, during the August recess, at a convenient public space to discuss the legislative necessity of a $10.50 federal minimum wage for the working poor of our country who produce, serve and care for us each day,” the petition read.
“We look forward to an expeditious acceptance with time and place as soon as possible so as to prepare for a thorough dialogue with you.”
One week goes by, no answer.
Two weeks go by, no answer.
Three weeks go by, no answer.
Finally, on July 18 a letter arrives from Capito.
Capito ignores the request for a meeting.
“I appreciate the opportunity to learn your views on this issue,” Capito writes.
The dictionary definition of the word “appreciate” is “to be fully aware or sensitive to.”
A politician like Capito uses the word “appreciate” to mean exactly the opposite.
Capito uses the word to mean — go take a hike, get off my back, or drop dead.
As in — Capito to Citizens: Drop Dead.
Four hundred of you signed a petition calling for a public meeting.
But I am not even going to address the issue.
I’m not going to say I’m going to meet with you.
I’m not going to say I’m not going to meet with you.
I’m just going to ignore you.
After “appreciating” her citizens, Capito then moves on to lay out her voting record on raising the minimum wage.
“I have supported previous efforts to increase the minimum wage to benefit West Virginia workers,” she writes. “I voted for bipartisan legislation that passed the House to increase the minimum wage in 2007. The 2007 legislation garnered 348 bipartisan votes in the House and later became law. This 2007 effort increased the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour.”
“As Congress considers future legislation that would increase the minimum wage, you can be sure that I will keep your views in mind,” she writes. “Again, thank you for contacting me with your views on this issue. It is an honor to serve you in Congress.”
Nothing about the petition of the citizens for a meeting during the August recess.
Adam Tomlinson, Capito’s legislative director, is handling the petition for Capito.
Tomlinson did not respond to inquiries about the matter.
Capito to Citizens: Drop Dead.