More: Forward Progressives — Republican Governor Pushing to Loosen Child Labor Laws

And the Republican march to return us to a society similar to that of the late-1800′s continues. The latest move comes by way of the Republican Governor from Maine, Paul LePage, announcing that he will continue to push for the loosening of child labor laws through the new year. He apparently thinks children as young as 12 should learn what it’s like to get paid a lousy wage gain some new perspective on life.

And yes, Governor LePage really supports allowing 12-year-olds to work.

“I’m all for not allowing a 12-year-old to work 40 hours,” LePage said. “But a 12-year-old working eight to 10 hours a week or a 14-year-old working 12 to 15 hours a week is not bad.”

Well, I’m sure glad he’s against 12-year-olds working full-time jobs. That’s a relief. Though as ridiculous as the thought of 12-year-olds working jobs is, would it really be so far-fetched to imagine that “10 hours a week” could turn into 15, 20, 30 — you get the picture.

On, and there’s another caveat to this whole situation. He’s been pushing for quite some time to install a new “children’s training wage” at somewhere around $5.25. But this new $5.25 wage he’s been pushing for isn’t just for 12-year-olds — he wants it to be applicable for all workers in Maine under the age of 20 during their first 180 days of employment.

More at Forward Progressives.

How long will it take for Walmart and McDonalds to replace 30-hr part-time workers with 2 15-hr “trainees.” Not during school hours of course. (wink wink)