Unemployment and Minimum Wage Both the microeconomics and the macroeconomics theories dictate that an increase in the minimum wage will directly impact the rate of unemployment by shooting upwards. As of the moment, there is a heated debate on whether the Congress should pass a bill that seeks to increase United States minimum wage. The consequent change will eventually have both positive as well as negative impacts on various economical aspects particularly unemployment. As for this paper, the focus will be narrowed down to examining the link between minimum wage and unemployment rates across states and also highlighting the current state of unemployment in both Los Angeles and Seattle. In reference to microeconomic theory, the bare minimum wage is considered the price level on top of the equilibrium that is set by the demand and supply curve. A slight increase in the minimum wage greatly impacts the quantity of workers supplied in the economy by significantly increasing due to the initial heave of interest to enroll in the workforce. Similarly, there will be a decline in the quantity of demanded labor given that the marginal labor cost will directly increase as the minimum wage increases. As a result of the increased quantity supplied and the subsequent decrease in demanded quantity, there will be a creation of labor surplus in the workforce, culminating in the increased rates of unemployment. With an increase in the minimum wage on top of the normal equilibrium in the
One of the most talked about subjects in the U.S economy is the topic of minimum wage. With president Obama’s increase in the minimum wage to 10.10$ per hour people, both economists and politicians alike, have been debating whether raising the bar is a smart idea. At a time when the country the country’s inflation continues to rise at a steady pace and Americans are constantly working to feed their families, some economists know that a raise in the minimum wage would help elevate some of the difficulty. The last time the federal minimum wage was raised was in July of 2009, where rose from 6.55$ to 7.25$. However, there are plenty of reasons as to why the wage should be raised. Some may not think it, but raising the
The minimum wage is one of the most controversial issues on our country, which is United States has been facing last ten years. There have been never ending debates over this issue until the government, company, and others party stand together, and raise the minimum wage throughout the nations. There are communities that believe raise the minimum wage has negative impact of every sector of the country. Other communities have different beliefs over the issue, raising the minimum wage helps the poor people, and would help not hurt our economy.
The selling point that has brought people to the United States for centuries is the American dream: Prosperity, Luxury, Opportunity, and so on. Unfortunately for many, this dream has been squandered by the receding economy of an indebted country. As inflation runs rampant, the value of the U.S. dollar decreases, lowering the value of household and business incomes. This economic recession has led many, especially those who only earn the minimum wage, to poverty. According to the United States Department of Labor, “The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour” (“Wage and Hour Division”). Some people believe that a solution to this problem is to raise the minimum wage; however, doing so would ultimately result in a negative effect on the
Osborne v. Ohio, 495 U.S. 103 (1990), is a Supreme Court of the United States case in which the Court held that the First Amendment allows states to outlaw the mere possession, as distinct from the distribution, of child pornography. After Ohio police found photographs in petitioner Osborne's home, each of which depicted a nude male adolescent posed in sexually explicit position, he was convicted of violating a state statute prohibiting any person from possessing or viewing any material or performance showing a minor who is not his child or ward in a state of nudity unless the material or performance is presented for a
Most people have witnessed firsthand driving through a densely populated city and glancing out the window to see camps set up on the streets for people who cannot afford living quarters. These poor citizens are living like this because they either do not earn enough money annually to keep a home and use what they have on a source of food. Increasing federal wage to $10.25 would help these poor American citizens and the children in America as well.
For over a decade, many Americans have struggled with the low wage issued from employers, despite working very long hours of work. According to a study done in Oregon State University, a federal minimum wage was first set in 1938, starting at 25 cents an hour. Due to inflation that has occurred many times throughout the century, the call for raising minimum wage is to be immediately answered. However, the minimum wage falls when congress does not raise the minimum wage to keep up with inflation. Because of this many cities and states have departed from the minimum wage. In this essay, to be discussed is the reason why imposing a minimum wage above the equilibrium wage will reduce employment and contribute to an increase in the unemployment rate.
A minimum-wage increase would put billions of dollars into the U.S. economy, benefiting businesses. It may not result in a surplus, but it will benefit the economy. Workers who are affected in any way by the minimum-wage being raised even to just twelve dollars an hour would see nearly eighty billion dollars in increased earnings over the next five years. Because low-wage workers tend to spend increased earnings locally on basic necessities, this will benefit businesses that rely on consumer spending. It still won’t come close to the equilibrium price, but it will help. The minimum wage last year was twenty-four percent below the level it was just about fifty years ago despite the fact that American productivity has more than doubled over that period and low-wage workers now have much more experience and education than they did back then. Now it’s the time to address this weakness in the minimum wage by raising it and lifting the earnings of low-wage
The United States of America has been known to be the land of opportunities for centuries; however, times have changed. While some can find great success in America, these are the lucky few, others have to face the struggles of the everyday living in the United States. There are multiple issues with the overall United states, such as the government, welfare programs, and the American economy; there are also problems with the people who live in the United States. The lifestyle of some Americans is also a large problem. People in the United States are very self centered as a whole, especially the upper class and upper middle class of Americans. Without change, little can be done to help American grow and prosper to become a great nation. The
Minimum wage is a hot topic today. We are at war with two opposing viewpoints. One side wants to raise the minimum wage the other side wants to keep it the same and let the economy work it out. Then there are those in the middle that believe that it should go up but not much. I would call those people the moderates they are ones that try to see both sides and come to an agreement. To understand the minimum wage debate and the moral ramifications of it we must go back to the early days of minimum wage. There are few questions that must be answered as well. Those questions are who, what, When, why? Out of all these questions I believe the most important would be why.
The federal minimum wage is a clearly defined wage that must be paid by businesses to their employees. Failure to accommodate the federal minimum wage is violation of federal law and punishable by the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor. Debate over the minimum wage rate has been revived in recent years, largely due to President Barack Obama’s belief that the minimum wage should be increased. Currently the minimum wage stands at $7.25 per hour. The minimum wage is $2.13 for a worker who receives tips, assuming that the wage with tips amounts to at least the federal minimum wage. There appears to be a fairly even split in those who believe the wage should be increased and those who believe it should not change; this would be the reason debate over the issue
The issue of minimum wage is not a new one to our society, American’s have fought for minimum wage continuously since it was introduced by “President Roosevelt on June 25, 1938 as part of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.” (Forbes) Workers have fought to keep the minimum wage in line with demand.
When you have a job to where you have to deal with so much, but you only receiving 7.25 an hour. You always thinking to yourself that you deserve way better than date. Alabama has no minimum wage and the federal minimum of $7.25 applies in the state. The Birmingham City Council passed an ordinance Tuesday to set a minimum hourly wage in the city and increase it to $10.10 an hour by July 2017. Alabama is one of the top ten poorest states in the United States and our poverty rate is 18.7 percent. In the years of 2011 to 2013 nearly 17 percent of our people struggled to find food. In 2013, almost one million Alabamians depended on food stamps for their home. Raising minimum wage for Alabama has to happen by the year of 2018 because we all have to provide for our families in all types of ways, there would be way many more students in college, and Alabama could change for good.
The impact of the minimum wage remaining unchanged raise concerns about the future of the economy. With the increased number of migrants into the country, unemployment and education, it is impossible to pinpoint how the minimum wage affects the American way of life. Previous researchers faced difficulties when proving the adverse effects of an increase in the minimum wage have on unemployment (Mărginean & Chenic, 2013). Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge as to how migrants from other countries affect these statistical data. The effects of lack of education can also contribute the minimum wage factors. Needless to say, there are many reason the minimum wage poses an issue across the country. Furthermore, with a high unemployment rate in some states, it is probable that the crime rates will also increase throughout these
Employment rate have you ever heard of Employment rate, poverty rate, inflation, or the ripple effect? Employment rate can go up or down depending on what the employment rate is. Poverty rate goes up and down because of the price of the property. inflation go up and down every day this could be good or bad. Ripple effect can create or make a negative situations for employees. The effects that minimum wage has on the effects on the economy with the employment rate, poverty level, price of goods and the ripple effects. All of them affect the minimum wage in a bad and good way.
Critique: Minimum Wages and Employment: A Case Study of the Fast-Food Industry in New Jersey and Pennsylvania