15 Minimum Wage: Article Analysis

In the article “No, Seattle’s $15 Minimum Wage Is Not Hurting Workers,” Michelle Chen claims that raising the nation’s minimum wage will improve millions of employees and their families and the only adverse effects are just temporary. Seattle enacted a law with the intention of increasing the minimum wage over a period of time to $15 per hour, which is just now, thanks to the efforts of “Fight for 15,” becoming beneficial to the restaurant industry. It has been found that employers are abiding by the new law and employees are profiting from the change, at least in the restaurant business. Chen claims that Research finds that the new minimum wage is benefiting restaurant employees that previously earned less than $15, and furthermore clarifies

In the article “Minimum Wage Laws are Destroying Jobs - Just as Predicted” by Larry Elder, Elder discusses the negative impact raising minimum wage has on small businesses. Through the use of testimonies from companies affected by the raise in minimum wage and statistics from the wage increase in California, Elder appeals to both the emotions and logic of the reader. He references a small restaurant owner who knew he could not support this increase in wages, but was told by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti that it was not going to be an issue for him. By showing the negative outcomes of this decision such as unemployment, higher prices, and businesses closures, Elder appeals the reader's emotions. He wants us to understand the hardships and

Several examples of data and statistics from studies elucidate the harmful effects on small businesses and in addition the compelling of companies to close as a result of the increase of minimum wage. According to a Gallup poll that took place in 2013, 60% of small business owners agreed that an increase in minimum wage would be harmful to their small businesses (Should the Federal). Small businesses do not have the money supply that chain corporations do. Naturally, if they had to pay their employees more, it would be harmful to them. Several Walmart stores have closed and Walmart stores that were yet to open have closed as a result of an increase in the minimum wage (Should the Federal). An increase in the minimum wage must even have harmful effects on larger businesses. They obviously employ several more people than a small business, so they have to pay each worker more resulting in a net loss of a lot of money from the chain. Additionally, in several work places, if the minimum wage were increased, the wages of those who hold higher positions would have to be increased. For example, if the amount of money that the minimum wage dishwasher or table busser in a restaurant increased, then the chef and manager would need to be paid accordingly. If the minimum wage were to increase, it would be detrimental to both small and large businesses.

The United States government should not bring up minimum up to $15 per hour. For example, in the article “ A New Dawn For the Minimum Wage” Don Lee states “when Oaklands minimum wage jumped from $9 an hour to $12.25 in March, residents noticed many stores tacked on a dime or a quarter to an assortment of items.” This is explaining that prices have gone up ever since minimum wage went up. Therefore, if minimum wage was to up everything will be more expensive and everything would be difficult to buy.

After the protest in New York City, the issue of raising the minimum wage has come up once again. Seattle is spearheading this cause with a proposal of raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. This will help minimum wage workers a great deal by increasing their income. However, there are concern that this move could hurt certain businesses, which can lead to higher unemployment and contraction of the economy. The ethical issue surfaced as this will benefit some at the expense of other.

The minimum tipped wage should be raised. There are many reasons that an incease is due. The tipped minimum wage has been the same since 1991. And yet, the cost of living continues to rise. It has risen by 75% in the past 27 years due to inflation.

Under new legislations, both New York and California are willing to increase the minimum wage to fifteen dollars an hour. Although this will be a slow process, as an increase immediately will put an economic risk on business, especially for small business, this increase in minimum wage will be beneficiary and advantageous for individuals with low pay and with those who have families.

Mike Durant once said, “Making it more expensive to create new jobs is a perfect way to guarantee fewer of them.” The recent, “Raise the Wage” campaigns have sparked an interest in many low-wage workers. However, those who support this initiative are unaware of the economic problems that will arise if this is successful. Several cities have already raised their minimum wages and some, like Seattle, are raising it as high as $15 per hour. Currently, supporters of this campaign argue that the government should implement this increase federally. However, doing so will have broad and adverse financial implications. Ever since the Great Depression, the minimum wage has been in effect — to reduce poverty and solidify that employees

For example, many people believe that it would act as an economic stimulus for the country. If the minimum wage were to increase, that would allow for people to have more money, and in turn they would spend more money at businesses, boosting the nations economy.20 However, it would also benefit the government by decreasing the amount of people enrolled in government programs such as Medicaid and food stamps.21 As stated in an article published in Congressional Digest, “The President’s plan strengthens the middle class by making America a magnet for jobs, equipping every American with the skills they need to do those jobs, and ensuring hard work leads to a decent living,”22 this, directly relating to a statement the President made in his State

One of the biggest negative effects of raising the minimum wage is that it would severely hurt small businesses. If the minimum wage were to be raised it would force the owners to pay their employees more money that they might not have. In order to pay the employees the newly raised minimum wage they are gonna have to raise the prices which will lead to the loss of consumers, and might eventually lead to the store going out of business. According to a Gallup poll done in 2013, 60 percent of small-business owners said that raising minimum wage will “hurt small business owners. James Richardson, MBA, Vice President of the fast food chain White Castle, said that the company would be forced to close

The minimum wage debate has been a hot topic over the past year, especially with the Presidential Election. This is a divisive topic that people rarely agree upon. There are essentially two sides you can take when it comes to this argument. Either people are for minimum wage or are against raising, or even having, a minimum wage. Proponents of the minimum wage are typically politicians who are lobbying for the vote of the people who feel that a minimum wage is critical to their wellbeing, and those who sympathize with people who earn “minimum wage”. Minimum wage is destroying America’s free market economy and someone needs to take action and find a better solution to this problem. Without anyone acting on this problem now, it can potentially be worse in the long run. Raising the minimum wage in the United States will do more harm than good to society because of the long-term effects.

Mike Durant once said, “Making it more expensive to create new jobs is a perfect way to guarantee fewer of them.” The recent, “Raise the Wage” campaigns have sparked an interest in many low-wage workers. However, those who support this initiative are unaware of the economic problems that will arise if this is successful. Several cities have already raised their minimum wages and some, like Seattle, are raising it as high as $15 per hour. Currently, supporters of this campaign argue that the government should implement this increase federally. However, doing so will have broad and adverse financial implications. Ever since the Great Depression, the minimum wage has been in effect — to reduce poverty and solidify that

(Minimum Wage to Be Unveiled pg.1). However, the Seattle City Council’s study shows that, “We do not find compelling evidence that the minimum wage has caused significant increases in business failure rates. ”(“Editorial”

From a small business owner perspective, it is safe to say people are split 50/50 about raising the minimum wage. The supporters think a raise will have more positive externalities than negative. For example, some predict more money will be in worker’s pockets which will allow them to buy more goods from small businesses and therefore, aid small businesses (Harrison, J.D., 2014). Continuing with this idea, if worker’s have more money, then there will be more money put back into the economy, in general, benefitting all businesses—not just the small ones. Another prediction, from small business owners, is increased worker productivity. This increased productivity is caused by the incentive to work hard when it is rewarded (Harrison, J.D., 2014).

And while these effects are more on the scale of large corporations, small businesses may yet also feel the effects of the minimum wage. With even fewer resources to rely on, a small business would have a harder time progressing and growing; a small business has only a small selection of workers who may be indispensable, so downsizing may be out of the picture, forcing them to cut back expenses, thus stunting their growth and leaving room for large corporations to take over the local industries. This, of course, presents another problem in today’s society concerning capitalism and a free market economy – when a small business grows weak financially; larger corporations have an opportunity to sweep in and seize hold of the local market for specific goods and services, drawing money out of that town and into the pockets of greedy companies. For example, a local burger joint or mom & pop store could be crippled by a turn of the economy, causing them to raise prices and cut back on expenses. However, the local McDonalds or Walmart would only be affected by a relatively smaller margin, spearheading these corporations into the