What are the pros and cons of a national living wage for all US citizens 18 yrs and older?

Answer 1

A national living wage for all Americans will allow every one of us to break the bonds of poverty and faction influence.You will have the choice of remaining a socialist who clings to his mothers skirt or to invest in a capitalist pursuit.Freedom as a democracy would be enabled and not blocked as it is today.Yes there are welfare drug addicts.This fact should not prevent any other candidate from investment in education or shoes for a real job.

Answer 2

I'm guessing a "Living" wage VS a "Minimum" wage. I think a living wage would have to come from somewhere -- either fully paid out by the employer or by the government. Either way it goes, it will automatically and artificially drive up the cost of all products and services across the board. That being the case, it woud ultimately negate any advances that you'd hope to make. As a small business owner and employer, I pay my employees what I feel they are worth and what I can afford. I am in the business of making money. If I cannot make a profit, then I must choose to raise the cost of my services, let someone go or close up shop. I try and take care of my people and in return, I should hope they will take care of me. I pay more than the mandated minimum wage.
Gotta quick second?
Minimum wage was never intended to be a soul means of support. The intent was to give those still in high school a chance to get in the market place and get their ears wet before they have bills and responsibilities. That's it.
The trouble begins when you consider that our current public education system only produces two types of products. Those who are academically inclined and going on to higher education and those who are not. The latter then,are indoctrinated into the work force. They arrive with no marketable skills and therefore are paid something appropriate -- probably minimum wage or ever so slightly higher.
Until our education system is forced to produce a better product, people will be stuck in that vicious cycle. Or, they'll do as some of us and enlist in the military.
Our government takes a census and gathers all kinds of information. They also subject our youth to various tests, like the SAT 9. Why not begin a series of aptitude tests begining around the sixth grade? Test them every year, making the first three years worth a base line so the results will be more established and show trends of strengths and weaknesses. By the end of their sophmore year, present them with a variety of options from which they could choose. Technical/Trade programs, continued academics or both.
The information gained in the census could tell where the jobs are, where they are most likely going to be needed as well as what one could expect to make in a given field.
My biggest fear with such a proposal is corruption and governmental control of the masses. Checks and balances would have to be instituted. The first of which should probably be that such a wide spread program be locally governed -- probably state level.
Honestly, I hate this idea. It reminds me of the system the Soviets used. The inherent problem(s) with any social program is that it remove personal responsibility/accountability for ones actions and decisions. And, it fosters and encourages a false (and offensive) sense of entitlement by those who are on the receiving end.

Answer 3

There is nothing but cons to a national living wage. Creating a National Living Wage is tantamount to placing an artificial price floor on the labor market. This will instigate employers to find ways to reduce its levels of non-skilled workers. A National Living Wage will in effect hurt the very people it intends to help.

Answer 4

One con I can think of right off the bat is that the cost of living varies from region to region and even city to city. A living wage amount in say Little Rock, Arkansas would probably leave you starving in Chicago or New York City.

Answer 5

The pros would only be pros if the national living wage would suffice in all areas of the US, AND if it would allow for a family to have one parent at home to raise the children, and one who works if that is how the family chooses to be.

Answer 6

PROS: None
CONS: The Constitution does not grant the Federal Government the power to prescribe wages for anyone except its own employees.

Answer 7

the government cannot atrificially set the wages and have any effect. A business is in business to make money. If you raise the cost of doing business, such as labor, raw materials, utilities and even taxes, the company till needs to generate profit to stay in business. They will raise prices. They would have no other choice.

Answer 8

If your are a communist I guess, but frankly I want to make more than that.