Minimum Wage in America...?

Question

I would like to hear valid points both pros and cons on raising the minimum wage in the US. No arguements. No bashing political parties. Just simple explinations as to why it would be good or bad. I would really like to hear both sides of the issue. And I will report anyone as "offensive" if they bash and person or group of people.

Let me correct my spelling:

I will report anyone as "offensive" for bashing ANY person or group of people.

Let me point out that I am nearly 40 years old and I don't have any homework. I asked this question because I was tired of reading hate filled answers on the subject bashing one political party or the other. And yes...I know about NAFTA.

Answer 1

First of all the wages of people in America are down compared to the cost of living. Now when two parents have to work to make ends meet and take their children to daycare and be away from their mom is destroying America a piece at a time. Should there be a minimum wage? I guess because of the greedy nature of these ceo's, there has to be. Overall it comes down to paying a man what he is worth. Companies should not rely on overhead profit margins and rely on the fact that they are giving jobs to americans. If we would quit paying sport figures so much money, and quit advertising on spots that cost two million for thirty seconds, maybe we could bring the price down of the product we sell. Congress gives themselves a raise every year and I personally get one every two years after begging the cheap boss that I have. Whose fault is this, our fault for taking it up the butt and not standing up for what is right. It won't be too long that we will be speaking spanish, all the big industries will be overseas, and we will work in restaurants and hospitals, and live in apartments. I support the troops and support the idea of democracy, but can anyone prove that we are not going backwards instead of forwards. Pay a man what he is worth, moms, stay at home if you can and be with your children, children eduacate yourself and be more than normal person. I am not bashing the democrats or republicans because we know what they are, politicians. (poli) prefix meaning many (tics) blood sucking parasites. I am blaming all of us, we fought a war for less than what they are doing to us now.

Answer 2

Wow, a simple question that could lead to so many other questions and toughts. This will be fun. Raising the minimum wage could be compared to the increase in gas prices in the last year or so. What happened? Everybody became more aware of how fuel efficient their vehicles are. Many people traveled less. People with higher incomes were not dramatically affected.

Economically, when a resource becomes rare, supply and demand will push the price upward to the point where supply and demand are again equal. Oil companies went out to remote locations because the price of oil made it profitable for them to pump from the Gulf of Mexico for example. The combination of increased supply and decreased demand brought about stabilitiy and equalibrium.

For a minimum wage increase, employers would be like gasoline consumers, and limit the use. They would substitute machinery for employees, or if they needed to use human workers, raise the price of their products and services. You would see more self check-out lanes at Wally World, and the McDonalds Dollar menu may shrink a bit.

But overall, a raise in the minimum wage would force us to be more productive. Employers are not going to pay extra out of the goodness of their heart. Employees would have to earn the extra pay, or face unemployment. And surely, some people will become unemployed. So the extra taxes taken from the higher paychecks would only go to pay out welfare and unemployment benefits. A wash.

OK, I got a little off track and long winded, but it was a fun question to answer. Thanks CM.

Answer 3

A person who works a minimum wage job full-time earns just $10,700 per year. This is below the poverty line for a family (more than 1 person). What many people (especially the Democrats, it was one of thier platforms for the recent election) are calling for is a "living wage," which is a standard which "generally means that a person working forty hours a week, with no additional income, should be able to afford a specified quality or quantity of housing, food, utilities, transport, health care, and recreation" (wikipedia living wage article).

The reason many people argue against it is because of concern that when the anual salary is raised, many business, especially small ones, will not be able to afford this cost, resulting in loss of personel and increase in unemployment. People have countered this by saying that a work force with more money will be able to spend more, increasing the revenue for the company.

There are definitely arguments for both sides. It is hard to say what the true effects will be. Michigan recently passed an increase of their minimum wage ($5.15 to $7.25 per hour). Because they are one of the states that is hurting most economically right now (one of the hightest unemployment rates in the country), it will be interesting to see the effects on them.

Answer 4

A couple of months ago, Oprah did a show on minimum wage in America and the impact that it has. On her show, the guy that did the Super-size documentary and his wife lived on minimum wage and had no health insurance. They both became sick and had to go to a free clinic to get treatments. Both came up with outrageous bills. Oprah also looked at paramedics and other workers who were making the most $9.00/hour. Raising minimum wage will give those of you who are just barely making in society and live below the poverty level. There are some people who can not afford high education so that have to do what they have to do to survive. The cons of raising minimum wage would be higher taxes. Currently in some states the minimum wage is like $6.00/hr whereas some states have taken it upon themselves to raise it. I am not bashing the president but I do feel he should raise it instead of worrying about what is happening overseas and be more concerned about what is happening here in America.

Answer 5

When you raise the min wage you might as well call such legislation the Teenager Unemployment Act.

No one but charity cases work for such low wages and if you raise this then you are throwing them out of work. My mom used to let people from Easter Seals come work for her at about the minimum wage. It was their whole life, made them feel important and if you raise the minimum wage under the misguided notion that you are helping people you are actually taking away their jobs.

The real minimum wage is set by market forces. At my job for example we just got a 40 cent raise because management realized we were losing to many people. My former co-workers have been walking away from our company to go work for other companies in the area that pay more.

I am getting 12.20 an hour now. That is the effective minimum wage in CT for someone that has been working for this company for three years.

Workers shop around for their jobs. Always remember that. We are not victims. We are free agents. It does not matter what the minimum wage is for me. I will always be earning much more than that.

The minimum wage is a floor. Not a ceiling.

Answer 6

It should be raised so hard working people can at least keep above the poverty level. It is a shame that in the "greatest country in the world" has a wage standard of a 3rd world country!
The cons that a few small business will have to close are minimal.

Answer 7

If congress raised the minimum wage it would force many small businesses to close, and the small increase would still not be a living wage for workers whose income that is.

Answer 8

Do some homework and see how many jobs have gone overseas and to Mexico in the last 10 years. Large corporations will pay to have their procucts made overseas and sell them here for a huge profit rather than pay Americans a decent wage. To raise the minimum wage will raise the cost of products here and cost even more Americans their jobs.

Answer 9

The minimum wage hasn't been raised in years! It's about time the poorest of the poor get a raise!

In many depressed, and rural areas, several people live off the minimum wage. It will help them, and their local economies. And it will help lift millions out of poverty.

Answer 10

no longer absolutely everyone i understand, regularly minimum salary earners are college babies with a summer interest residing at abode with their mom and father. convenience shops and quickly nutrients chains in my section pay virtually two times minimum salary to initiate.