What percentage has the minimum wage decreased or increased in the past thirty years (accounting for inflation) in the USA?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: The Bureau of Labor Statistics historical table of the Consumer Price Index [ftp://ftp.bls.gov/pub/special.requests/cpi/cpiai.txt]–probably the best overall indicator of inflation, especially for those on minimum wage–was 45.6 in October, 1973, and 185.0 in October, 2003. That is a change of 405%. During the same period, calculating the “minimum wage” is problematic, because it has evolved to include many different categories. For the sake of argument, let’s use the basic standard, which went from $1.60 in 1973 to $5.15 in 2003, or and increase of close to 320%. If the 1973 MW had kept pace with the CPI, it would now be about $6.48.

Hi, answer person! I hope I am asking an appropriate question…
My dad loved reading the Patrick O’Brien nautical series (Master and Commander, etc). He was also addicted to C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower series for a time. Another favorite was Colleen McCollough’s Ceasar series. Unfortunately, he’s completed all three series, and my never-fail holiday gift idea of the past three years is now defunct! Can you suggest another series/book he might enjoy reading?
Thanks!

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Answer Person suspects your father may have already read the Alexander Kent books; if not, go for it. Other possibilities: Dewey Lambdin’s Alan Lewrie tales, Edward Cline Sparrowhawk series, and the works of James Nelson.

Where did the city in Russia called St Petersburg get its name? Why is it not called simply Petersburg? Was Peter the Great considered a saint then or now? And finally, why not call it Petrograd, since we used to call it Leningrad? Giving it an English/German name is so confusing!
Cheers!

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Peter the Great may have considered himself a saint, though his family relations would have had a few objections, but has he founded St. Petersburg he is not the saint in question. Rather, it was St. Peter, the apostle. It was given the more Russian name Petrograd at the beginning of World War I–a more patriotic call for defenders. After Lenin died it became Leningrad. Finally, in 1991, a vote by citizens of the city brought back the original name. So take it up with the city council.

Hey,
Wouldn’t it be much better if we had run-off elections for governors and presidents and other single-person positions? Then we could choose between more than just two lame candidates, and interesting people like you could run for office and get thousands of votes based on the merits of your ideas and without worrying about wasting votes on a candidate that won’t win.

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Answer Person doesn’t understand how you still don’t have “more than just two lame candidates” with a run-off. With a run-off the idea is you have the top two from the primaries–which often have even more candidates to chose from. If only the lame survive to that point, a run-off won’t help. And considering the high costs of elections, Answer Person doesn’t see the need to extend the process.

Why is there a camel in front of the chemistry building? Who donated it, what is its significance and why is there no plaque telling us this? Thank you for all your hard work, eh.

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Actually, the camel and friend are closer to BioSci. Appropriate positioning, as the statue honors physiologist Knut Schmidt-Nielsen. Get the whole story at http://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/alumni/dm11/spotlight.html.

What is a poll tax? Is it related to voting?

I only know that margarent thatcher was unpopular for doing one and that it is somehow a regressive tax…

Cheers!

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Originally called “poll-money,” it was a tax levied against each individual–or head of cattle!–at the same rate. It later became a tax on each voter, again at the same rate, notorious for disenfranchising African Americans in the U.S. South. It is considered regressive because it does not differentiate by ability to pay or financial resources. Fortunately, in this country, this end run around the one person, one vote princple was outlawed by the 14th Amendment.

What are the roots of the initials i.e. and e.g.? Is it latin? What do they stand for, and what does it mean?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: “Id est” and “exempli gratia” are derived from their Latin roots. The first, “that is,” is used for “that is to say;” the latter is “by way of example,” used for “for example.” They are often confused, “i.e.,” people use them incorrectly; e.g., “i.e.” is sometimes used when what is really meant is “for example.” Got it?

What is the funniest web site on the internet? (aside from this one of course, whenever you let loose a real zinger!)

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: This is a very cutthroat business, with national rankings changing from week to week. Answer Person can’t afford to advertise the competition.

Please turn down the air conditioning in the libraries!! Please!
If it is t-shirt weather outside (seventies or even sixties), I don’t like having to put on a sweater to go into the library. Don’t you agree? It just makes us chilly and wastes energy, eh?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Answer Person has encountered this issue before, in shivered requests in the Perkins Library Lobby book. (I.e, 3051A in 2003, http://www.lib.duke.edu/suggest/sampler2003.htm.) Unfortunately, although AP also finds the place chilly–and AP is here hours longer than the average public user–the typical 72F is within federal quidelines. Once again, we in the real world suffer the dictates of the Wizards of Washington. And, to be fair, there are those who complain that the building is too hot if it creeps up a few degrees. So, yes, AP agrees, and will pass on your comment to the building manager, but don’t hold your breath.

Why did Vladimir I of the Rus adopt Byzantine Christianity and not a different religion for his kingdom and subjects?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Scientology was not yet an option. There were also political considerations, specifically that a marriage tied to a military pact, and tied as well to Vladimir’s conversion.