Persuasive Essay On Minimum Wage

More than 43 million Americans currently live in poverty although they hold full time minimum wage jobs (“Should We Raise”). For many, the minimum wage job is no longer held by the high school teenager and has become the main source of income. Those living off of the current minimum wage are not able to meet their basic needs such as clothing, food, and shelter. Since its installation in 1968, the minimum wage has increased in proportion to the rate of inflation, but has failed to do so in recent years. Also, studies show that raising the minimum wage has had a positive effect on the economy’s growth and productivity. Therefore, increasing the minimum wage will lift tens of millions out of poverty, keep up with the rate of inflation, and improve economic growth and productivity.

Before people push a minimum wage increase, they need to be totally aware of all of the positive and negative results and consequences that might occur as a result. The issue concerning what to do about the minimum wage has served as an ongoing controversy amongst several people. The federal minimum wage should not be raised for several reasons including the harmful effect on small businesses, the increase of poverty, and the augmentation of competition for jobs.

Although America is known as the richest country in the world, 43 million of its citizens are in poverty. Unfortunately, some of them work full time, yet are still in poverty due to the low minimum wage (“Should We Raise”). In 1928, the first federal minimum wage of 25 cents per hour was set by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to prevent workers from being underpaid. Since 2009, the federal minimum wage has been $7.25 (Smith). The age old debate of whether or not to raise it is still going on in the US. The federal minimum wage should be increased to keep up with inflation, help support the poor, and stimulate the economy.

I decided to write about how I felt regarding the federal government's involvement in controlling the minimum wage and that I felt they are disconnected in their understanding of the impacts on communities when they raise the minimum wage. I work for a manufacturing company in the U.S. and I understand wholeheartedly what the impact of salary increases due to our bottom line. In very competitive markets the difference between success and failure can be separated by the difference of only a few dollars per part, and while in other countries, their manufacturing bottom line is subsidized by their governments we are forced to generate profits the old-fashioned way through supply and demand. This is why I decided to take a stance in my persuasive essay and challenge the status quo of the Department of Labor and Wages. No longer should the federal government dictate a national minimum wage but should allow each state to establish their own minimum wage based on the economic condition of their counties and their state, as a whole.

Those in favor of the minimum wage have argued, contrary to established economic theory, that the minimum wage can actually increase employment. An increase in income results in additional "money in the pockets" of workers which encourages greater spending in the economy. This in turn causes greater demand for goods and services, an increase in production, and the creation of new jobs. Additionally, a higher minimum wage is thought reduce government welfare spending. If workers earned more money, their dependence on and eligibility for government benefits would decrease. A recurring theme among pro minimum wage arguments is the issue of stagnant wages. Improvements in economic growth and productivity have exceeded increases in the minimum

Humanity reaches unbelievable heights, discovers old civilizations, creates supersonic aircraft, launches every day new high tech gadgets, but fails to resist the challenge of the 21st century- the poverty. The U.S.A. has experienced crisis and prolonged period of economic instability which threatened first of all the economic security of individuals, families and whole communities. The minimum wage becomes a wealth inequality and economic segregation that endangers the ability to eat and remain healthy, have access to education and new opportunities. In these circumstances, replacing the minimum wage with a living wage will serve as a relief for the poor and will bring benefits to the local businesses and the economy as well.

Human rights are defined as a right that belongs to humans because they are human. Everyone should have certain rights to live a healthy life, like rights to life itself, security, and freedom of thought. One right that is a little bit complicated and controversial is the right of having a fair minimum wage. The United States has enacted laws guaranteeing a minimum wage for all workers, but what should that number be? There has always been a number set in stone around every decade, but with the United States continually improving and getting out of the recession, it has yet to change since 2009. The right to a fair minimum wage should be a human right, and with that, the minimum wage should be raised to at least $10.10. This should all happen because it will prevent poverty for many in America, it will help the economy by giving more money to consumers, and because the UDHR already supports the idea of a fair minimum wage.

Everyone loves making money- that’s how we survive our world. Without it, none of us are going very far, and we all know it. In today’s time, it is hard to actually get out there in the workforce and be successful when your income limits what you can do. You might not be able to afford to go to college, or to move to where you have always wanted to live. According to “Calculating the Poverty Line,” Raising minimum wage will benefit above forty-one million people in the United States. That is about thirty percent of the whole United States. Thirty percent does not seem like a large number by itself, for the United States is a very large country. According to “Population,” there are well over three hundred thirty- three million people currently residing in the United States. This fact may make you wean away from wanting minimum wage to be raised, because it seems barely significant- that it will make almost no difference at all. However, when it is a factor in the lives of people, something that might improve their lives immensely and help the economy as a whole, it is actually very significant. States like Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona, and Maine are starting to realize this as well, as they have raised their minimum wage up to twelve dollars an hour. I firmly believe that minimum wage should be raised to fifteen dollars an hour across all states. Raising minimum wage is necessary due to the facts that it would give low income workers the chance to dig their way out of poverty, it would majorly help to reverse decades of the large gap between the rich and poor’s income, plus now-a-days minimum wage is far less than what it used to be in the past.

For people that want to live off a job that pays minimum wage than you'd love the very foolish law that california has been passed to raise minimum wage to 15 dollars by 2022. Which will cause inflation and “fast food restaurants will just become gateway jobs to start better professions” most workers will be replaced by machines. And for people that are on a salary they don't benefit from this because they have a set wages.

Imagine counting spare change everyday hoping you have enough money to buy something to eat because your child has been in a state of hunger for what feels like years. The child is in a drab state, her young once bright eyes becoming duller by the day. Imagine just for a quick second that you don't have anything to give her, you can simply pray that she can escape this hell of a life one day. And what if you were doing all that you could for her by working three menial, minimum wage jobs and still couldn’t provide her with all that she needed? That’s exactly what is affecting millions of families across the nation. This issue is seen as a vicious circle that will not be resolved unless it is seen as the complex issue that affects our citizens in such a way that many would not be able to survive on this level.

A living wage, or a true minimum wage, is a wage that has the ability to maintain a normal standard of living. A true minimum wage also enables people to live comfortable lives. If this is true, then the minimum wage in place now is not a living nor true minimum wage and it needs to be increased to meet these criteria.

¨Anita lives in Phoenix and has a degree in economics. She has four children, two of whom have special needs. She is regularly forced to choose between working enough hours to put food on the table and taking her kids to a long list of doctor’s appointments. Anita had to take her son with down syndrome to 11 doctors appointments in the past week. She receives state assistance and says, “you can’t judge people who are working, but still need to get help. I’m not a lazy person, trust me. A raise in the minimum wage is just about fairness, and about giving people a fighting chance to achieve the American Dream.” (¨Brave People Tell Department of Labor their Struggles Living on Minimum Wage¨).¨ This is just one example of the life of one single minimum wage worker. With minimum wage only being $7.50 an hour, or an average of $15,080 a year, wages are not enough to supply for the needs of a whole family. (¨The Minimum Wage Used To Be Enough To Keep Workers Out Of Poverty—It’s Not Anymore¨). Raising the minimum wage would be very beneficial for the economy and allow for people to spend fewer hours working and spending more hours with their loved ones.

Bright yellow golden arches. The gateway to the future, or at least to the stomach. But are these golden fries and Big Macs the way to fortune? For some teenagers living at home with all bills and other needs paid for, it is. However, working behind a greasy grill in a hot room is not the way to the top of the economic ladder for most. McDonald’s is one of the many industries offering minimum wage jobs to potential candidates. “The Fight for Fifteen” is a campaign that will affect this company and many others similar to it. The current debate whether the minimum wage should be raised to fifteen dollars an hour has been going on for years. Economists from all over the country have gathered data and have predicted the economic downfalls that would arise from an increase of almost double the current minimum wage. Due to various detrimental side effects, the minimum wage should not be raised to fifteen dollars an hour.

Minimum wage is the lowest wage permitted by law or by a special agreement (such as one with a labor union). The minimum wage here in Texas is 7.25 an hour. To me this seems fit, however there are those that want to be paid more. Some people claim to be struggling with the minimum that our state has to offer. Getting payed more will not solve the problem. I know for a fact that if the minimum wage would raise so would the cost of living and so forth. The value of the dollar will decline, that is something that can cause serious problems. If it were up to me I would leave things as they are. I am a college student who has survived on a minimum wage job. I knew what my responsibilities were. I understand that most are single mothers. I would consider this a special case. I know for a fact that what needs to be improved is our job opportunities, not our pay. Half the time people just do not enjoy their job, and that is why they want to get paid more. What needs to improve are the people, the opportunities, and the idea of work. I do think that there may one day be some middle ground when it comes to finding the equilibrium when it comes to minimum wage and the jobs that require them.

A couple walks out of an animal shelter holding their newly adopted puppy. They drive home ecstatic with the new addition to their family. Upon goading the dog through the front door of their home, they begin welcoming it into its new life. At night, the couple positions the puppy’s new bed at the foot of their own each giving it a kiss before heading off to bed. They both snore soundly, dreaming of the happiness the new puppy will bring to their family. The next morning, sunshine illuminates the interior of their home as the couple wakes up, dresses, and leaves their bedroom to begin preparing breakfast. Entering the common room of their home, they view a disaster: furniture is torn to shreds, garbage is strewn across the floor, and refuse is covering the carpets. The puppy sits in the middle of the mess seemingly unaware of the damage it has undoubtedly caused. The couple, their mouths open in shock, never would have thought such harm and destruction could come from something so seemingly innocent. Similarly to the dog in its apparent harmlessness, raising the minimum wage to $15 dollars will wreak havoc on the American economy.