Do you agree with the raise in minimum wage?

Question

I heard they've passed a measure to raise the minimum wage to 7.35. I'm mixed on this. I make more than minimum wage and in a way I feel like, unless my wage gets raised proportionately I'm getting cheated, and actually poorer comparatively. To put things in context, I understand it there was alot of alarmism to the last minimum wage hike to 5.15, but our economy is still strong. I also know that if I was making minimum wage, I would be all for it. What is your opinion?

Answer 1

I think the minimum wage increase is long overdue. I agree that those who are already making close to the new wage will feel cheated. But look at the cost of living today. Even with the increase most still won't afford much. Prices on everything are going up faster and faster. While consumers are so broke and debt ridden trying to survive it is insane.
There of course will be companies that moan and groan. But if it is a big chain company, then tough they make enough to afford it. It is the little mom and pop companies that will be affected most. That will hurt them the most.
On average though most employers are paying over what the new minimum will be. Those companies that complain will just simply raise thier prices to consumers to justify it. Even if they are already paying the higher wages.

Answer 2

I do not agree with raising minimum wage and here is why. Personally, I am all for people having more money in their pockets but doing this is not the way to go about it. If minimum wage goes up, small businesses will bite the dust. They cannot afford to pay their employees that amount of money per hour. Also, if the minimum wage goes up, taxes will go up so government can get the slice of the pie and cost of living will go up because of supply and demand. And because of that, more houses will be built which will lead to cutting down of forests for people to live in houses. Now, I'm pretty sure everyone can agree that we should eliminate taxes and that is the best way to let people have money in their pockets. All in all, raising minimum wage will destroy our economy.

Answer 3

Making $5.15 does nothing but keep people impoverished.

It does not afford one the ability to even look for better employment.

It does not offer one the ability to keep themselves let alone a family fed, clothed and educated.

How can anyone get a head on so little.

Quite often it meas the individual has to work more then one job and makes them tired and stressed out.

The minimum wage just keeps people indebted to the state, overworked , underpaid and underfed.

Who ever thinks that this has kept up with the rate of inflation has not had to fuel their car lately.

It may work if you live at home or with 2 or 3 families in one household.

The average individual can not survive on there own on minimum wage.

Answer 4

Anybody who claims that raising the minimum wage will not effect the cost of goods and services has never studied Economics 101.

Lets say you have somebody who started at minimum wage and worked at his job for a couple of years and has earned a pay increase to $7.35 an hour. Is it fair that he make as much as new hires, although he has been working there for a couple of years, or are you morally obligated to give him a raise too?

So all hourly employees wages will go up, that means the cost of service and production goes up. That means the cost of living goes up. Simple process.

Answer 5

The minimum wage will cause more harm than good. What was intended at an entry level start has been deemed a long range standard. People get what the employer feels they are worth. If they fail to improve their value then putting burden on the employer is not the answer. Now many positions will be eliminated because of the increase in minimum wage. Workers who have been working at the minimum for more than 3 months need to find a way of making their service more valuable. The government should not reward lack of initiative.

Answer 6

The minimum wage is exactly that. It is for entry level jobs that people with not work experience begin with. It is not supposed to be a wage one attempts to raise a family of four on.

Basically, the reason Democratic lawmakers keep raising it beyond the inflation rate every few years is because Labor Unions are big democrat supporters. Many Labor Union contracts are tied to the minimum wage. Therefore, every time the minimum wage goes up lots of union members get an automatic raise.

It is most harmful to small businesses. Often they are forced to fire empoyees and cut services to stay in business.



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Answer 7

I doubt very much in our overall economy is actually linked to the minimum wage. Those who oppose an increase always say it will spell the collapse of our current standard of living, yet, each time it gets raised, the fails to come true. Either way, when someone earns vastly less than is required for an acceptable standard of living, there is no incentive to work, and the person is supported by public welfare. I'd prefer to see people working, and I wholly support the increase.

And, the other truth is, we need people to fill those minimum wage jobs. Not everyone can be the CEO. Who will clean our hotel rooms or do any other the other low paying, but very important jobs other there?

Answer 8

If you are an adult in America making minimum wage you are a loser (with few exceptions). You have made terrible decisions and are no doubt not even worth that much. The people I see making the minimum are high school kids with no experience. Minimum wage was never meant to be a living wage if you're trying to live on the minimum you have failed. This is America you have the freedom to achieve quit looking for handouts and pity.

Answer 9

Minimum wage increases don't work, because as you increase the wage, the quantity demanded for unskilled labor decreases. If you were an employer, and you had to choose between hiring two unskilled workers for 7.35 each, or one skilled worker who can do the same amount of labor in the same amount of time for 10 dollars, you would hire the one worker right? Well that's what happens. Historically, a 20% raise in minimum wage causes an increase in unemployment among unskilled laborers by about 2%.

So if it hurts the people it was intended to assist, is it a worthwhile policy?

Answer 10

Any politician that would vote for a minimum wage increase is doing nothing more than working for votes. These men are economically and politically savvy enough to know that increased government regulation and increased minimum wages do nothing more than stifle economic growth. Those who remain in the minimum wage category do not actually come out any better, as the economic system works itself back to equilibrium through increased prices (inflation).