Many states set their own minimum wage. Why set a federal one? Don't states know best what is right for them?

Question

Mark D thank you for articulating a response to corygraph's answer exactly the way I would have put it: I accept that Congress has the constitutional power to pass it. But why pass it? I would add that they have the power only under an overbroad interpretation of the Commerce Clause. Few minimum wage jobs can realistically be catagorized as "interstate".

Orange Evil, I agree with you completely. I am only saying that, if we are going to have interference in our daily contracts, we can at least have it at a lower level of government. Then we might have an easier time fighting it. Maybe one state will decide not to have a minimum wage, and we will see what happens when wages are truly set by supply and demand.

Reggie’s Bud, let’s examine your learned statements one at a time, then let the YA community decide who the ignorant dolt is.

First of all, what’s an interestate?

Secondly, if the states do not know what is best for them, why give them any autonomy at all? Why have state governments? The articles of confederation failed, not because the states did not know what was best for them, but because they each followed their own agenda and were unwilling to cede power for the good of the whole. The Constitution created a nation; the Articles created a loose affiliation. It had nothing to do with whether or not they individually knew what was best for them. Read your history: the individual states were very successful on their own before the Revolution.

If the states knew what was best for them, the south would have won the civil war? States’ rights was an issue of the war, granted. But you can’t just memorize a few keywords and try to make an argument out of them. It requires real thought. Now, taking your argument ad absurdum (look it up), if the northern states “knew what was best” for them, are you saying they would have lost intentionally? After all, they were states also. Wouldn’t they have wanted to act in their own self-interest?

In fact, many states do have minimum wage laws. Thanks for restating part of my question. (Big contribution there.) You say we can’t allow states to set lower minimum wages if they want to, because they don’t know what is best for them. If that is the case, then why allow them to set higher minimum wages? By your excuse for reasoning, those who know what is best for them can decide for themselves to go higher, but not lower. Sorry I fail to see the logic.

(Continued response to Reggie's Bud)

Possibly the most spurious of your arguments is the following: “And, you suggest that states know what is best for them? Is that why most of them are broke?”

First, have you looked at our federal debt and deficit lately? How can anyone possibly argue that the feds are more fiscally adept? Second, what is the leading cause of deficits at the state level? Unfunded FEDERAL mandates! Perhaps a bit more research is in order before you spew your specious, unfounded conclusory statements.

Finally, if it is true that the only way sates survive is with the help of big brother the US Government, then the nation would never last. After all, there have to be “donor” states and “debtor” states in any system that redistributes wealth. So, obviously, there must be some states that know what they are doing.

Reggie’s Bud, name-calling is not a suitable substitute for thinking.

Typo corrections:

fifth from last paragraph above, second to last sentence should read:

By your excuse for reasoning, those who do not know what is best for them can decide for themselves to go higher, but not lower. "

Second to last paragraph above, first sentence: it's "states" not "sates"

Also, apologies to coragryph for misspelling his name.

Answer 1

Why should the Feds do it? For the same reason the Feds pass lots of other laws that states already can and already are addressing: because our Congresspeople like to pander to us for our votes. If we stop voting for congressional candidates because of the way they pander to us, then maybe Congress will improve the quality of legislation they pass.

Okay, coragryph, I accept that Congress has the constitutional power to pass it. But why pass it?

Answer 2

You ignorant dolt. If states knew what was best for them, we would still have articles of confederation, the south would have won the civil war.

In fact, many states DO have minimum wage laws. But if the company is involved in interestate commerce, then the Federal law applies (duh), as the Constitution gives power over interstate commerce to the US Gvt.

And, you suggest that states know what is best for them? Is that why most of them are broke?

Come on, get with the program. The only way sates survive is with the help of big brother the US Government.

That's why states complain about the Government, they want more MONEY from the US Government.

So, bottom line, states do not know what they are doing, so the only options are a strong US Government or anarchy.

Answer 3

The Fed's mandate to set the minimum wage isn't that clear to me, but it's held up for a while.

Anyway, yes, states can best decide where the minimum wage should be set for thier state, since each state's economy is different. By Federal Minimum Wage sets a floor. Many states go higher, because the cost of living in those states is higher.

Actually, cost of living varies so much from one locality to another, even having states set the minimum wage is a little ineffective.

Answer 4

I think that the reason Congress has a federal minimum wage is to prevent a "race to the bottom" in which states decrease or even eliminate minimum wage in order to steal jobs from other states. This has happened in several areas (notice all the banks incorporating in Delaware and South Dakota to take advantage of the lack of usury laws).

Answer 5

That hasn't been the modus operandi of the federal government since the antebellum period.

I do take some issue with what you said. I think individuals know what's best for them. The government never knows what's best for anyone. Government, whether at the federal, state or local level, needs to be small in size and limited in scope to further the cause of individual liberty.

Answer 6

Yes, which is why most state minimum wages are higher than federal minimum wage.

But Congress has the right under Article I Section 8 to regulate commerce, and that includes setting a minimum wage.

Answer 7

This is the age old question of states rights. We are so far from the founding father's intent it is laughable. I challenge you to find in the literal translation of the constitution that permits this federal imposition. Withholding federal funds is nothing less than blackmail.

Answer 8

States can come to a decision their possess minimal salary however it can't be lower than the federal minimal salary. As for the supply of my understanding you're going to ought to uncover it your self as I am no longer doing all of your task for you.

Answer 9

How much would WALMART pay if there was no minimum wage $1 an hour.....
Face it the Aristocracy have no shame and would exploit whoever they are allowed to.