Republican proposals to severely modify Social Security have been getting some play. A large number of today's GOP candidates are openly hostile to what they see as generational transfers of wealth to older folks who might otherwise live in poverty.

It will be interesting to see what will happen next year when newly elected Republicans make their move on the long established retirement program. But the controversy leaves largely untouched another public policy debate. Republicans are proposing moves against the minimum wage. Four of the most outspoken are candidates for the United States Senate.

Linda McMahon (R-CN) acknowledges some positive effects in the past, but promises to fight against any efforts to increase the minimum wage. She says it's time to freeze the level, then consider lowering wage standards. She opposes regulation of business. "The minimum wage now in our country, I think we've set that and a lot of people have benefited from it in our country, but I think we ought to review how much it ought to be, and whether or not we ought to have increases in the minimum wage." She hasn't ruled out efforts to wipe out minimum wage completely.

Joe Miller (R-AK) intends to join in a Republican effort to end the minimum wage. His argument is constitutional. "That is not within the scope of the powers that are given to the federal government."

Rand Paul (R-KY) believes the minimum wage, in the long run, has negative social effects. "I think the question you have to ask is whether or not when you set the minimum wage it may cause unemployment."

John Raese (R-WV) will also join the campaign for repeal. "It's an archaic system that has never worked." He says the minimum wage "hasn't solved any problems in 50 years." He opposes the minimum wage because it violates basic economic concepts. "I profess that minimum wage be eliminated and we operate on the laws of supply and demand just like we did before the depression."

Conservative candidates are reviving old arguments that had faded from public discourse. For minimum wage to be high enough to matter, they say, it pretty much has to increase unemployment. Those who can't get an equitable wage on their own can use the opportunity to eventually prove themselves to employers and increase their value in the marketplace.

The original impetus for regulation of wages came from nineteenth century sweatshops, where horrible conditions, long hours, and miserable pay characterized a system widely seen as corrupt and exploitive. The revival of the debate is seen by advocates for the poor as part of a larger Republican effort to bring back pre-Roosevelt days.

The 2010 election campaign may, in the future, be regarded as a watershed, opening to debate questions long considered to be settled.