Bell Criticizes Democrats for Not Discussing Religion

Bell criticizes Democrats for not discussing religion

By the Associated Press
September 06, 2006

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell has criticized his party for not talking about religion and values over the last 25 years, something Republicans have done to build majorities across the country.

"Jesus had the most radical social agenda in the world," Bell said during a campaign stop at Southwestern University on Tuesday. "Why don't Democrats ever invoke that?"

Bell said his Christian faith has in part inspired his political agenda, which includes calling for an increase in the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7 an hour.
"Jesus had the most radical social agenda in the world," Bell said during a campaign stop at Southwestern University on Tuesday. "Why don't Democrats ever invoke that?"

"A lot of the issues that are driving this debate as far as I'm concerned come down to questions of morals and values: How are we going to take care of the less fortunate, the more vulnerable individuals in our society?" Bell said after his speech.

Republican Gov. Rick Perry does not support a higher minimum wage, spokesman Robert Black said.

"The last thing you want to do is start telling those companies that want to move to Texas ... how much they have to pay folks," Black said.

Independent candidates Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman have also called for a higher minimum wage.

Strayhorn supports requiring employers to pay a living wage that is higher than $5.15 but has not set a number, her campaign said.

Friedman would like to see an increase of about $2, his campaign said.

Efforts to raise the federal wage for the first time in a decade stalled in Congress earlier this year.

http://www.chrisbell.com/newsroom/090606_ap