Featured

OP-ED: Income Opportunity and the American Dream

Published

12 years ago

May 19, 2014

By Jean Quan, Mayor of Oakland

The middle class is not only an American creation, it is the backbone of our country and the greatest force for economic growth and prosperity in history. The middle class in America represents about half of the country’s population, but because wages have ground to a stagnant halt while the rich have become richer, our middle class is shrinking.

< p>This lack of income opportunity is a growing problem, causing the American dream to exist out of the reach of millions of Americans. The fight for our American dream has come to focus in the battle for the minimum wage with this month’s filibuster in Congress of President Obama’s proposal to raise the national minimum wage to $10.10.

Income opportunity is not about punishing the successful for being successful. It is about making sure that the working poor have a fair chance to earn their way into the middle class. It is about making sure the middle class families have the opportunity to become global success stories in the 21st Century economy. A thriving middle class, with strong families, prosperous communities and growing incomes, is essential to America’s future and a growing economy.

We have work to do in America.

As the nation’s wealth is increasingly concentrated at the top, more and more Americans are falling out of the middle class into poverty. The growing disparity between the rich and the poor is now wider than ever, and reversing this trend will require a multi-faceted approach with both long and short-term solutions. In the long-term, education reform and greater access to health care will help the working poor earn their way into the middle class and the middle class earn their way to whatever opportunity they choose. In the short-term, the most effective solutions such as raising the minimum wage will immediately improve the economic health of working Americans and strengthen the middle class.

Then Senator Hillary Clinton said it well as an advocate for the middle class, taking action to raise the minimum wage, expand unemployment benefits and make real progress to improve the lives of everyday Americans, “With all due respect, it is not rich people who made America great. It is the vast American middle class. It is the upward mobility of people who thought they could do better than their parents.”

The fight for the minimum wage has been a long and continuing process. Throughout her Senate career, Hillary Clinton was a staunch supporter of increasing the minimum wage and voted repeatedly to raise it. She was an original cosponsor of the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which raised the minimum wage from $5.85 to $7.25. She also authored the Standing with Minimum Wage Act, which sought to increase the minimum wage to $9.50 by 2011. After 2011, the act proposed to tie the minimum wage to congressional pay raises.

Unfortunately, Congress failed to pass this legislation, keeping the federal minimum wage at $7.25 an hour, where it still stands today. However, since it was last raised in 2009, the real value of the federal minimum wage has decreased more than 8% due to inflation. As a result, it no longer constitutes a livable wage – a full-time, minimum wage job pays just $14,500 a year, and according to the Economic Policy Institute, a full-time worker would realistically need to earn $11.06 an hour to keep a family of four out of poverty.

We all need to join the fight Hillary Clinton championed and raise the minimum wage to a living wage nationally. In my state and my city we are moving on local initiatives, but this a national issue.

Even with a higher minimum wage, people are inevitably going to fall on hard times through no fault of their own. That is why Senator Hillary Clinton fought to extend emergency unemployment benefits and continues the fight today recently using her voice to encourage Congress to renew the expired federal unemployment program.

Today, there are 2.1 million Americans who are considered long-term unemployed, meaning they have been out of work for so long that their state unemployment benefits have run out. Renewing the federal unemployment program will provide these people with a financial lifeline, a helping hand, at a time when they need it the most.

I agree with Hillary Clinton when she said increasing the minimum wage is “certainly an American issue and a human issue, but it is particularly a woman’s issue” and this is a way to help “empower women and girls. Many of the workers who will benefit are lower paid women service workers.

Income opportunity is vital to America’s future. More Americans are falling into poverty, we must fight for the shrinking middle class by fighting for a fair minimum wage and better economic opportunities for poor and working people. By protecting the American dream we will continue to make sure America grows and prospers for everyone. I am proud to join Hillary Clinton and the movement for a fair minimum wage.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Theologian and Activist Vincent Gordon Harding, 82

Don't Miss

Career Networking Seminar at San Leandro Library on June 12

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

5 days ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.