Why the politicians in this country keep saying that "we're the richest country on earth" ,"Number one" etc, when in fact the US is way behind when it comes to providing a DECENT minimum income,compared with many other highly industrialized countries in Europe, where the lowest--paid workers make more money than the same here in US !!??
2007-08-01 15:36:51 · 15 answers · asked by shiningStar 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I think it is insulting to pass a law that mandates that employers pay more than what would be fairly negotiated.
The minimum wage is a two-edged sword. The edge that you ignore is that it puts small business out of business, and caused those will few skills to be absolutely unemployable.
2007-08-09 09:06:35 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been to Europe and lived there. Actually, the main complaint there, especially in France is that they have massive unemployment because they are so pro worker.
Highly industrialized countries also pay for their salaries with increased taxes. As high as ours are, they pay much more in taxes. A gallon of gas in France is about 6 dollars a gallon, mainly because of the taxes.
You are looking at this from a workers perspective, which while I agree with you to a point, however all the minimum wage increase does is artificially raise the price of everything. Let the market determine the minimum wage. (If the pay is too low, you won't get workers) I do agree in mandated work rules, because I do not believe in sweat shop conditions. But raising minimum wages hurts especially the middle class because while the poor gets government aid, the rich will always be rich, the average skilled worker will suffer because their salaries will stay stagnant while prices go up. If you don't want to make minimum wages, go to school and get a good job or start your own business.
2007-08-02 01:00:39 · answer #2 · answered by Kenneth C 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Comprende usted la palabra "inflation"?
Raising minimum wage will not benefit anyone, it will simply cause our money to be worth less. I was paid minimum wage for 6 months when I was 15 and then I got a raise. I haven't been paid less than a dollar over minimum wage since. The solution is to work hard and get a raise, not to raise the minimum.
2007-08-09 15:52:50 · answer #3 · answered by LC 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The idea of a minimum wage is an insult - but to all citizens. Raising minimum wages will have only negative impacts. Besides causing prices to increase, it will force layoffs of the least skilled workers, because it makes no sense raising the wages of the least skilled when you are not gaining any productivity. But hey, maybe it will force some to better themselves so that they deserve a higher wage.
2007-08-01 23:04:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
As an australian I have seen on TV recently 3 visiting americans who are touring the country talking about US minimum wage. All of them are on scandalous wages, which is teaching us to be somewhat grateful about our minimum wage.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/03/1995732.htm
If going by the so-called richest country in the world's minimum wage, no wonder the US is going to the dogs. Paying someone those types of wages here would get you thrown in jail. Its saying something about greed and ethics if you Americans think that paying someone $2.50 an hour is fair.
2007-08-05 19:34:16 · answer #5 · answered by wotzthepoint? 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
All powerfull civilizations thourghout history enslaved people, thats why they conqured so much, and became so wealthy. This country started out that way, now they just pay slave wages. Thats why I hate hearing about imigrants doing jobs the average american wont do; pay me a decent wage, and I will go out in the fields and pick lettuce.
2007-08-09 22:41:51 · answer #6 · answered by Exitwound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's complicated.
The minimum wage needs to be raised. We need to have a universal health care system because of the instability of jobs. We don't need the insurance companies since medical insurance has strayed so far from its intent.
2007-08-07 12:40:15 · answer #7 · answered by Unsub29 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
People make minimum wage because they have minimum qualifications. It is as simple as that. You don't want to work to get ahead and make more that simply is not my problem. You make choices and it is not the govt's job to rescue you from yourself!
2007-08-08 17:52:17 · answer #8 · answered by TAT 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The insult is what some employers would pay if there were no minimum wage.
2007-08-01 22:41:43 · answer #9 · answered by redphish 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your talking about socialist nations with a much poorer economy and much higher unemployment. Take some time and absorb reality. There should be no minimum wage.
2007-08-01 22:42:13 · answer #10 · answered by Pro-American 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋