I thought it was more for high school students, not for people to live off of. What do you think?
2006-10-14 04:28:10 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
mnksmommy, i have never met anyone in my life, living off of minimum wage
2006-10-14 04:33:32 · update #1
It really doesn't matter who does minimum wage jobs. It doesn't matter whether they can live on it or not. It doesn't even matter that the real force behind minimum wage are Union workers whose contracts are expressed in terms of a multiple of the minimum wage.
What matters is basic economic analysis, which proves that even having a minimum wage, let alone increasing it, has zero potential for positive effects to either an individual nor the economy as a whole, and a great deal of potential to do harm to individuals and the economy as a whole.
If you know enough about basic Econ, draw a Supply and Demand Curve for Labor, and identify the Equilibrium point. If you don't understand Econ enough to do that, refrain from having an opinion about minimum wages until you do.
If the minimum wage is below or at Equilibrium, it has no effect at all, other than to be a total waste of time to legislate. If it is above Equilibrium, the curves will demonstrate that people lose jobs and the economy loses power. It's debateable how much, but it's absolutely clear that there is no positive effect, other than to make Limousine Liberals feel good about improving the lives of hypothetical peasants without the requirement that they actually meet any.
2006-10-14 04:52:35 · answer #1 · answered by open4one 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. The minimum wage is not designed to be a "living wage." It's meant for people working part-time or just starting at a job.
I think it's pretty rare for an independent, legal adult to work at a minimum wage job for more than a couple of months. In that time, they'll either find a different job or earn a raise. It's even rarer for someone to hold that minimum wage job as their primary source of income. An adult with a minimum wage job is usually trying to earn extra money to supplement their regular job.
There are very few legal, able-bodied adults supporting a family on the minimum wage for longer than a few months. Any person who can't do better than a perpetual minimum-wage job is probably so handicapped or dysfunctional that they should be on public or charity assistance anyway.
2006-10-14 04:37:12 · answer #2 · answered by timm1776 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
No one can live off the wage unless they are a magician. Minimum wage is rather designed to give kids a start in the economy. Think of it as an enty level position, one to escape as soon as possible. So how do you escape? Train for something that requires a diploma, specialized skill, or certification. If you plan to stay in a min wage job, you either have no ambition and deserve the wage, or there are no opportunities where you live and you need to relocate. Few jobs come to your location, but if they do, that is the part I mentioned earlier, the part about being a magician.
2006-10-14 04:35:59 · answer #3 · answered by Inadept 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Exactly! I always thought minimum wage was meant for students still living at home. You know, like for a first job kind of thing. Maybe that was why the MW was established in the first place, I mean for first time workers and with work experience you get better wages. Good point.
2006-10-14 04:32:22 · answer #4 · answered by JMidd 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Our minimun wage is a far cry better that most countries in the world. Thats why people from all over the world flock here to The Good Ole USA. Oh by the way...? we pay less taxes than those places that have higher wages. Bet on it! Raise the Minimum wage and a lot of small businesses/Mom and Pop operations will have to either layoff employees or close their business down. Then what are you all gonna do. Huh?? better think this one over. Payroll taxes are a killer for the small guy. They would have to cut back on employees then you get a high rate of unemployment. which would you rather see. people working or on the streets?
2006-10-14 04:34:36 · answer #5 · answered by Agnon L 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is based on the principle of valuing work by establishing an hourly wage floor beneath which employers cannot pay their workers. In so doing, the minimum wage helps to equalize the imbalance in bargaining power that low-wage workers face in the labor market. The minimum wage is also an important tool in fighting poverty.
Hard work deserves fair pay.
2006-10-14 04:43:50 · answer #6 · answered by notme 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no way to live off minimum wage as an adult. Basic needs such as food, housing & water can't even be met on minimum wage as it exists today. It's overdue for a substantial increase which should happen if the Dems can get some control back.
2006-10-14 04:32:21 · answer #7 · answered by carpediem 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Some corporations pay employees the minimum wage or a little above.
It's time to raise the minimum wage so no one is left behind. It's been 10 years!
Also the minimum wage should recive a cost of living increase annually, like Social security.
2006-10-14 04:30:31 · answer #8 · answered by Villain 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I think the people who live off minimum wage should go out get a degree or some sort of skill so they can get a higher paying job. You expect to just land a 6 figure paying job with luck?
2006-10-14 04:31:06 · answer #9 · answered by SGT 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋
If you have no skills, all you can do is manual labor. Illegals take those jobs so you need skills. If you force employers to pay more than a job is worth, they will not provide the job. One more unemployed unskilled teenager.
If you are working for minimum wage, you should be living with your parents. You cannot make it on your own.
2006-10-14 04:36:50 · answer #10 · answered by rjf 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋