Human rights are rights that we deserve including the right to equal wages; gender and ethnic inequality has been an on-going issue in the United States for a very long time. This inequality has been the reason for the Wage Gap which is a violation of everyone’s human rights. Some people believe that the wage gap is just a gender problem but it is not, it is unequal opportunities for racial and gender minorities; in fact some women that are of a certain race are paid significantly less than someone who is only of one minority. The wage gap relates to human rights because it violates the right to standard adequate living and fair wage. The wage gaps existence is soon to be understood through the deplorable conditions of women and racial
First off, women in America can’t make as much money as the average white male, as stated before. This is an issue for women across the states, and while most people could simply assume that women just tend to pick lower paying jobs, which is only slightly true, women still tend to make less money in ALL jobs and fields compared to men. However, 21% is simply the average wage gap throughout the nation. In certain states, such as Louisiana, the gap is even higher at 35%. Equally important, this gap can increase even more based on their race as well. Compared to white men, black women make 63% of their annual wage. For Pacific Islanders, 62%. For Hispanic women, it’s as low as 54%. On a bigger scale, this means that for every $100 that the average white male makes, the average Spanish woman can only make $54.
Research shows if minimum wage was to climb that it would hurt the least skilled and the least experienced people trying to seek a job the most. There are different of opinions people believe in about the positive and negative aspect of minimum wage. Supporters argue that such a boost will shrink poverty without plummeting jobs and that it will boost confidence, increase the normal living, and cut inequality and have businesses to be well-organized. Opponents that are not for minimum wage say it will increase poverty, unemployment and is not good toward businesses. The question about minimum wage and the effects it would cause if it was to rise, remains one of the most commonly studied topics.
We live in a time of uncertainty. One of which is financial uncertainty, which affects all Americans regardless of social economic status. According to the Congressional Budgeting Office the US national debt is on track to being equal 78% of the gross domestic product by the year 2024 (Trumbull). Social Security pay outs have neared a level that will soon be unsustainable without a significant increase in taxes. Corporate taxes are now close to 40%, and considered to be one of the highest tax rates in the world (Stone). Former U.S. representative John E. Linder stated that the corporate tax rate has forced many of our good paying manufacturing jobs to be relocated outside the country in order to stay competitive. Making it difficult for low wage earners to transition up in income and support their families like previous generations. The problem for the American job market could be resolved if it were not for the 15 trillion dollars remaining in off shore financial centers because of the high cost due to taxes when the money is repatriated. In addition to the corporate costs, taxes have driven 2 to 3 trillion dollars into an underground economy where no taxes are paid at all (Linder). Jonathon Gruber wrote in his book Public Finance and Public Policy, that tax evasion is estimated to be $280 billion dollars a year! For those who do pay, the estimated costs for filling out the forms in order to pay the taxes is over $350 billion dollars a year. This is quickly becoming a
In the United States, there is a huge income disparity between the richest ten percent, and bottom ninety percent. The American tax, and political system favors the top 10% while neglecting the middle and working classes, suppressing living wages and exporting jobs overseas. A society where working 40 hours a week will not put food on the table. If the average hardworking American is working endless hours to try and support their families which is just slightly above the poverty line, while groups of 400 individuals, who are heads of the top 500 companies and financial institutions, who if even work, is less than 108 days a year, and are proud owners of 50% of U. S’s entire wealth. This is the reality of the United
Our current income tax system today is very complex, unfair, inhibits saving, investment and job creation, imposes a heavy burden on families, and weakens the integrity of the democratic process. It can't be fixed and must be replaced. The U.S. income tax code is a long and complex system. The income tax system is so complex; the IRS publishes 480 tax forms and 280 forms to explain the 480 forms. The IRS sends out eight billion pages of forms and instructions each year. The administrative costs of the tax system far exceed those borne directly by the IRS. Each year Americans devote 5.4 billion hours complying with the tax code, which is more time than it takes to build every car, truck, and van produced in the U.S.
Did you know that an astonishing 43.4 percent of the people in America do not pay any income taxes" (McCullagh 1)? This is roughly 65.6 million people that aren't paying taxes and this is putting our economy and country at its breaking point. Our current tax system penalizes those that work and save money. People that pay no taxes still get to enjoy the benefits. The United States needs to look at which tax is fairer to the people and easier to administer by the government. Although some may disagree, the Flat Tax should replace the income tax to simplify and bring fairness to the system, increase income, and create jobs.
Recently there has been some debate about whether we should raise the minimum wage in America. Now there would be some ups and downs for both of them, but I personally think we should raise it. Mainly because people are barely getting by bill to bill. Plus some people have some kids, they have to take care of and have to buy them food as well. But there would be a risk about the economy and a lot could happen if we just raised maybe if we even raised five dollars. But I have some very key reasons why think we should raise.
Did you know that 44 percent of the people in America do not pay any income taxes? This is approximately 66 million out of 151 million that now pay no income taxes. From 1950-1990, the percentage of people that owed no money for federal income taxes and paid no federal income taxes was 22 percent. This has now doubled and is putting our economy and country at its breaking point. Our current tax system penalizes those that work and save money. People who pay no taxes still get to enjoy the benefits. "A revolutionary change in our tax system is fundamental to re-energizing the American economy and restoring the American dream." (Moore) The United States income tax should be replaced with a consumption tax such as the flat tax to
One way that has been suggested to help break the cycle of poverty is to raise the minimum wage, currently the minimum wage in America is $7.25. According to former Bill Clinton the increase will "raise the living standards of 12 million hardworking Americans." (Williams) Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) said "the minimum wage was one of the first—and is still one of the best--anti-poverty programs we have." (Williams) Many democrats want to raise the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour while republicans feel the increase will results in lost jobs. The Republicans opinion is that of wages should be justify if the employee meets job qualification and education. While minimum wage workers do not have a high school diploma or only have a high school
The debate on wage is something that has become known as what I could call a very “fluent” topic among voices of people that live in the United States today. People that walk and live within the borders of this beautiful country are crying out for help from any state or government official who is willing to lend an ear and listen to what is really happening behind these closed doors.
Two important factors that determine a workers' income, regardless of their class, are their race and gender. Minority groups as well as women are less likely to receive an income they deserve, regardless of the job. They are seen as less educated and less capable of doing certain jobs, and they are restricted in advancing and achieving a more suitable income. Only the top capitalists, white males, are receiving the bulk of the nation's income revenue and all the benefits that come along with it. They are the richest people of the United States and instead of being taxed like everyone else, they are allowed even more lee-way. "There is a solution to this problem that will save small farms and businesses, eliminate the death tax' for all Americans and still preserve the integrity of the federal budget: Tax the net worth of the very richest Americans on a regular basis during their lifetime" (Eitzen & Leedham pg. 40). The already rich continue to earn more and more money with their jobs, and they are not being taxed in proportion to their income. They have gotten away with accumulating more of the nation's wealth, while others struggle to make it in life.
Furthermore, the ERA will produce everyone to have an equal pay. No matter the gender or race. “Tracy Rexroat starting salary was more than $17,000 lower than her male peers’ when she was hired in 2007 and remained well below theirs in 2010,” it says in Why We Need an Equal Rights Amendment. This shows an example of how a woman would be paid to a man. Shouldn’t they get the same pay? The ERA can make that happen. “Despite laws guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, women on average still are paid only 78 cents on the dollar that men are paid – even less for African American women and Latinas,” it says in the same article. Poor or rich, women are being put into a lower paying job so they don’t receive plenty of money. Giving men a higher
Congratulations, you are hired! The four words that people long to hear. However, for many newly employed workers, their new job will not pay an income that will enable them to live comfortably. In 2015, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 2.6 million Americans, or approximately 3.3 percent of all hourly paid workers earned wages at, or below the federal minimum wage. Since 2009, the federal minimum wage amount has remained stagnant. Bringing this number to a level that is consistent with the cost of living is a basic right for every wage earning American. Raising the minimum wage enables working people to live above the poverty line. Although opposition states that raising the wage will increase unemployment, the increase would actually reduce the number of persons receiving food stamps, stimulate the economy, in addition to reducing income inequality.
To increase or not to increase the minimum wage for non-tipped employees? By the end of this essay, I hope to provide sufficent information to answer this question.