How can a minimum wage increase be justified?

Question

The US government is again turning the socialist wheels and trying for communism!! Now I will have to pay employees who aren't worth the $5.15 an hour more money. Employers pay what the job and the employee are worth, if not the employee leaves for another job! Thats the way it is supposed to work. Now lazy and non productive employees can make as much as hard working productive employees, and the good employees wont be able to get the raise they deserve because the employer cant afford it!!! Genius.

Interesting, the jobs that I have to offer are for young adults who live at home or are just picking up some extra hours for some christmas money. However, my business is still new and getting a start up off the ground is no picnic. My point is that the local job market and economy will drive fair wages. If I cant get employees at what Im offering because they can go to another place for more, then I am forced to offer more. Let the economy do what is supposed to do. It doesnt need legislation at the federal level. Local level is much more sensible because local governments have a much better feel for their economies.

Oh yeah, if you arent making enough at the job you are doing to support your lifestyle, then find a way to improve your situation. Work harder and EARN a raise, or get educated. That is the incentive to give some effort at your job. I came from nothing and I did what I had to in order to make ends meet while I earned two college degrees. Now I work in my field of expertise and I started a business on the side. You should not be at a low wage so long that you need the government to give you a raise. EARN IT..............

B. Kovarkian, you get it!!!!

Kovarkian,,,sorry

Damn,,, Kovorkian??? Cant spell today

Answer 1

The minimum wage has been meaningless in my area for years because no one will work for so little, with the cost of living here so high. In places where people are willing to work for minimum wage, or less, establishing a higher minimum wage will drive up the cost of doing business, which will drive up prices, which will increase the cost of living...

Answer 2

1. Gas - $3.50 per gallon (where I live); $42 (12 gal. tank); $168.00 (based on 4 week month)
Food - $50.00 (by skrimping for one person)
Rent - $500.00 (will get you something run down where I live)
Car - $250.00 (for a loan on a used car)
Utilities - $75.00 (average for entire year)
TOTAL: $1,043.00 per month

Now, basing this on $5.15 per hour, full-time with no overtime:
$864.00 per month (BEFORE taxes, insurance)

So a person making $5.15 per hour can't even live on their own! Even splitting rent, that gives them $71.00 - but that will be gone if you factor out taxes from the paycheck.

2. If someone isn't doing the work, why are you keeping them employed?? EVERYONE is replaceable. But I am sure you find it difficult to find employees due to the "great" pay you offer. If one can't live off the pay, why work there? You can flip burgers at McDonalds for $9.00 per hour starting out. Heck, I am a business owner, and I start my staff out at $8.50 per hour, with a raise after 90 days.

I think you are pissed because this will cut into your profit margin, and you might have to live a different lifestyle.

And if you are wondering - I am not wealthy. I work in the healthcare field with developmentally and physically disabled individuals on fixed incomes. My income directly is effected on state government budgets. After all of my overhead, I am lucky to pull a $1,000 per month profit. And that goes into the business, in case I lose one of my clients - that could be my profit gone like that!

Answer 3

Sounds like you need some new employees. If people are only working for you because of what you pay them, sounds like they have sucky jobs...or a sucky boss.

Answer 4

it is $7.93 in WA whiner