Raise the minimum wage federally to $11.00 an hour

This petition is to ask the government to help the working poor by raising the federal minimum wage to $11. For too long citizens have had to rely on the government for aid through welfare, foodstamps, TANF, HUD, and more. Instead of relying on our government to feed us through assistance programs, we deserve to work for our money and survive off of our earnings. If our wages were raised to $11 an hour, we could finally afford to live independently and without fear of losing our homes, our vehicles, or vehicular and health insurance, and we could afford necessities such as food, utilities, and phone service which is required by many employers. Since 1978 the real value of the minimum wage has dropped by 25%. Bring back the days when we could afford to eat ACTUAL food!