Raise Minimum Wage, Raise Society
Compensation for labor and skills is the cornerstone of the American economy. It is how citizens provide for their living and contribute to the fabric of our society. However, there are many in the workforce that earn an income, yet stay below the poverty level due to their minimum wage salary. Raising the minimum wage will offer relief to the millions of people in our country that struggle to get by, even though they are gainfully employed. According to Chang, “74 percent of Americans say they want to raise the minimum wage, and the Maine measure passed with 420,000 votes--more than any ballot initiative in state history” (Chang). Although it seems that many Americans believe that the minimum wage should be raised, there are still those that oppose any measure that supports such a move. Still, through the controversy surrounding the idea of raising the minimum wage, experts agree that the benefits of eradicating poverty, boosting the economy and improving the standard of living far outweigh any negative outcomes.
Many of the people who work for a minimum wage salary live in poverty because there is simply not enough income to do more than survive. In the article “The Case for a Higher Minimum Wage,” The Editorial Board shows that a family of two used to be able to live off of minimum wage, but that was when the minimum was about half of the average wage; now, the minimum wage would have to be increased to $10.10 an hour to keep pace with
Years ago in the late 1960s, a full-time worker earning the minimum wage could lift a family of three out of poverty (Vallas & Boteach, 2014). The rise of the cost for daily living over the years including groceries, medical bills, and raising children makes it impossible for a family to live off a minimum wage salary. “Raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour and indexing it to inflation—as President Barack Obama and several members of Congress have called for—would lift more than 4 million Americans out of poverty” (Vallas & Boteach, 2014). This would extremely benefit the American people and the
Millions of Americans live in poverty unable to find high paying jobs to support themselves and their families. A common belief is that paying a higher minimum wage would help lift people out of poverty by giving those with low paying jobs a higher income, however the evidence suggests otherwise. The 2016 race to the White House heating up, the minimum wage battle is at the forefront of every economic discussion. The rhetoric between candidates within and across party lines is intensifying. Many differing opinions are being heard. As the debate over whether or not to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25/hour to $15/hour rages on, one side stands apart time and time again.
There has been many conversations about what the positive impacts can come to America 's lowest income workers as a result of an increase in the minimum wage, and there has also been equally as many discussions over the negative effects the increase can have on similar people. This paper’s purpose is to combine each viewpoint and objectively analyze the arguments for and against an increase in the minimum wage. I will first discuss the benefits for an increase, then the disadvantages, and in the last paragraph, I will
Today, the minimum wage conversation is becoming an increasingly controversial, yet common topic. Many people are unsympathetic concerning the idea of a “living wage”, and they often belief that individuals should go to college or learn a trade if he or she wants a living wage. However, some individual’s life circumstances do not allow for opportunities that you or I have. Additionally, many individuals are misinformed about who the minimum wage increase actually benefits.
There has been many conversations about what the positive impacts can come to America 's lowest income workers as a result of an increase in the minimum wage, and there has also been equally as many discussions over the negative effects the increase can have on similar people. This paper’s purpose is to combine each viewpoint and objectively analyze the arguments for and against an increase in the minimum wage. I will first discuss the
Raisin the minimum wage is more than just inequality, it also affects the worker’s determination and incentive which in turn increases quality of work reduces the rate of turnover, or workers leaving their jobs. Of course everyone deserves a higher a higher pay if they are in fact doing the work they’re supposed to with as much effort as they are able to muster. During the Great Depression, in 1938, Congress put into place a federal minimum wage to keep the citizens from poverty, but also to boost consumer spending so that eventually the economy would recover. Even today, there is debate about the minimum wage and whether it should be increased. There are several reasons why raising the minimum wage would be helpful to the economy. Firstly, raising the minimum wage doesn’t actually reduce employment. Secondly, higher income will incentivize workers, and so increase efficiency and quality. Lastly, the minimum wage that is present today is failing to keep up with inflation.
As everyone can see in the world that some people are enjoying their life, and some are wondering what to eat the next day to survive. Many people in the United States are in a poverty line due to higher unemployment rate and less wages they earn from work. This problem affects low-income family because they get less least wage. Also, they are working hard to support their family and they should get what they deserve. This problem is fixable if the state approves the minimum wage for workers. In some states, people are earning more wages for the same job, but this needs to be equal in all states. The minimum wage should increase in the United States because it will help workers financially, so they can meet their higher standard of living.
The minimum wage is the lowest amount of employer’s pay which is required to pay an hourly worker. The hourly minimum wage rate that an employee will receive depends on the state in which they work and the type of job they are working at. If the minimum wage of the employee is reduced, they can have an effect on their household’s lifestyle. An increase in the minimum wage can raise the standard of living for impoverished workers and also indicate the standard of living in a certain country. Furthermore, it can also reduce race and gender in equality and poverty. On the other hand, there are also have many reasons that the minimum wage should not raise. First, some minimum wages can cause an unemployment because when the minimum wage increases some employers will have more incentive to invest in technology and machinery instead of human resources. This reason can also increase poverty in the country. Second, it can cause the price of a consumer good. If the minimum wage is increased, the price of a consumer good might be increased to offset higher labor costs. Third, an increased minimum wage would hurt businesses and force some company to close because the minimum wage is higher than the company’s ability to pay.
Do you believe minimum wage should be raised? Minimum wage means that a person is earning $7.25 or less per hour depending on their occupation. For many years now, minimum wage has been a huge controversy. I believe many people that work and earn above minimum wage believes that minimum wage should not be raised. Whereas the other people that is working and earning minimum wage believe that it should be raised. Raising minimum wage may have more positive than negative outcomes and increasing it can help many people in different ways. Three reasons why minimum wage should be raised are poverty, it would increase consumer spending, and it would improve the people earning minimum wage health.
Money. It makes the world go round. No matter how hard one may try, it is nearly impossible to get anything done without it. From goods to services, money is an essential in society. While some people acquire wealth by doing little to nothing, most must work to get money and participate in the economy. Some people make high wages, while others make significantly small ones. A pressing political issue is whether or not the federal minimum wage should be increased in order to aid these low wage workers in moving up the economic ladder. While this proposal sounds like it is in the best interest of low wage Americans, it does more harm than good. The federal government should keep its minimum wage at $7.25 instead of raising it to the proposed $15 in order to encourage social mobility and aid the U.S. economy.
Raising the minimum wage helps both the employees and employers. Boosting the economic growth in America. Minimum wage helps ensure a fair wage for the low paid workers. There have been debates on this economical topic for years, whether if it should or shouldn't be raised. In the United States, the Minimum wage should be raised. By doing so it brings good benefits and keeps the economy stable.
The minimum wage has been around since June 25, 1938. When Roosevelt initiated the first minimum wage, starting at 25 cents, it affected 20 percent of the population. Senator Edward Kennedy referred to the minimum wage as “one of the best antipoverty programs we have.” Jared Bernstein, former chief economist to Vice President Joe Biden, stated “it raises the pay of low-wage workers without hurting their job prospects.” Ralph Nader mentioned low-wage workers deserve a pay increase and the government is responsible for providing them with one. All politicians stated above favor a minimum wage, but to what extent should the federal government be held accountable? Raising the minimum wage to $15 would cause unemployment percentage for lower skilled workers to rise.
The first federal minimum wage was twenty five cents an hour. Which was set in place in 1938 as part of the New Deal passed by Franklin Roosevelt. Now, the federal minimum wage in America is $7.25 an hour. There is a high rate of controversy as to whether the federal minimum wage should be increased or decreased. The federal minimum wage should not be raised because it will lead to a lack of ambition for people to achieve better jobs , increased job competition in teenagers, and most of all hurt small business.
Should we raise the minimum wage of $7.25? President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1938 established the minimum wage of $0.25 per hour during the Great Depression. Congress has raised minimum wage 22 times. The last increase was in 2009 when congress raise it from $6.55 to $7.25 per hour (“Should the Federal,” 2017, para. 1). Those who favor the idea of raising the federal minimum wage agree that $7.25 is not enough for living expenses and that increasing it will better the economy (“Should the Federal,” 2017, para. 2). People who are against boosting minimum wage say it will force businesses to shut down, cut workforce, and put a limit on hiring. Above all, those with little experience will find it harder to find a job (“Should the Federal,” 2017, para. 3). Increasing the federal minimum wage is an inconvenient idea because it will increase poverty, damage businesses, and leave young adults out of workforce.
The idea of changing our nation’s minimum wage has always been a contentious topic for workers and employers. Since the establishment of the minimum wage in 1938 by the Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal minimum wage has continuously increased until in 2009, in which it leveled off at $7.25. The minimum wage varies between each state, but it is generally higher than the federal minimum wage. The purpose of establishing a minimum wage was to allow individuals to maintain an acceptable standard of living. However, the system is currently flawed because the minimum wage in many states still do not meet the aforementioned requirements and have subjected low-wage workers into subpar living situations. In the past few years, discussion about raising the minimum wage arose due to the necessity for more income, but also the issues that come along with it and the detrimental effects it has on society. Although raising the minimum wage will increase the vulnerability of workers in the United States, it is clear that the federal minimum wage needs to be raised to a uniform level in which all states can offer workers an acceptable standard of living because of its ability to boost the economy by positively changing the decisions of workers, to bring millions of people out of poverty, and to gather bipartisan support.