Minimum wage raise in the US

[Hecate]

There's talk everywhere about minimum wage being raised. It's already happened in many states, and as far as I know, mine is the only one still debating it. Many think it's a good thing, but my mother has a point, which she took to the senator after receiving an e-mail from him that was meant to be for someone else. Here was her reply:

THIS MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED IN ERROR BY (my mom) OF (small place), PA, EMAIL (E-mail was here) , who has been disappointed in senator santorum since reading on his website that he supports raising the minimum wage which is not just bad for the economy but is also a truly socialistic concept. raising the minimum wage does nothing but devalue the earnings of those, like me, who invested time and money into further education in order to ensure myself and my children a stable future. are you going to give me a raise, senator? no, by supporting an increase in minimum wage you will be giving me a pay cut. won't be long before the burger-flippers and stock boys of the world will be pulling in a paycheck like mine (which is not all that great, i make $29,000 per year gross for full time work in a mental health clinic in new castle, lawrence county). minimum wage jobs exist for the young, the students, and the retired folks who need to make a little extra pocket money. pennsylvania's middle class is already taxed half to death supporting the best paid state government in the country, now you want to further insult us by giving those who probably don't even pay income taxes and get child care credits, blah blah blah, a raise? when the wages and salaries in the middle class jobs have been stagnant for 3 years?? are you kidding? let me ask you, senator... who's more likely to get to the polls on election day? the educated middle class? or the burger-flippers?

~*my mom* RN
registered republican and true conservative


What are your views?

[jmur]

I dislike that whole argument. The minimum wage in this country is so bad it is a joke. I'm think they are raising it but it isn't where it should be.(Last raise was 1997. I believe they are raising it soon.) It should be over the $10 mark(If kept up with inflation.) But the government is only raising it to below $7 I believe. Inflation is generally consistant, so the minimum wage should also be consistant. Big business makes so much money because the minimum wage is not where it should be. Minimum wage is highly popular in this country. It could spell politcally disaster to come out and say you oppose the minimum wage. That is why they'll(The politicians) say they support it. But generally the republicans are opposed, where the democrates are for it.

However the whole non-sense that it gives people pay cut I think is a bogus argument. The fact is that prices don't go up significantly or at all when there was an increase. History shows this and it is another one sided arguement. It doesn't decrease unemployment either as it reduces turnover ratios. Although I think it would either take a stand and either get rid of it or it needs to be raised every yr. But to have it as a fake minimum wage just to say you have it is not the answer.

[Autumn]

I am totally in favour of abolishing the minimum wage. There are so many things to say on this topic I could spend an hour writing out arguments and still not give a complete account of my view. Instead, I will summarize some of the reasons and if anyone is interested in discussing a particular point I'd be prepared to do that. In no particular order:

1. As a tool to reduce relative poverty and social inequality, a National Minimum Wage (NMW) does not help the workless households and therefore does not address relative poverty in that area. Of course, each country has means tested income benefits for that.

2. If the market equilibrium wage rate is below the NMW then unemployment is created. Someone should bring up the issue of monopsonistic employers. I'd say the UK has experienced relatively low unemployment despite the NMW being in place.

3. Increasing the NMW above inflation could lead to greater wage inflation, and thus more inflation throughout the economy.

4. The claim that without the NMW some people's incomes would fall to "unacceptably low" levels. Yet, the income would not fall below the amount one would receive in benefits, otherwise there is no incentive to work. Hence, as long as the level of income benefits, determined by the government, is capable of providing a standard of living that is acceptable then wage rates would not fall to an "unacceptable" standard.

5. Leading on from point 4, let's say income benefits were drastically lowered. Does this mean without a NMW workers will be greedily exploited to the point where they cannot afford housing and food? No, I do not believe so. Private firms would see the opportunity in providing extremely cheap food and housing for these workers on very low wages.

6. The NMW adds to the problem of 'sticky wages', which may exacerbate the problem of involuntary unemployment during times of cyclical unemployment.

There are likely to be arguments against a minimum wage that I haven't mentioned, although each of the above points can lend itself to decent discussion.

[Hecate]

Originally Posted by jmur

Big business makes so much money because the minimum wage is not where it should be.
However the whole non-sense that it gives people pay cut I think is a bogus argument.

Right there...you said businesses make more because of it, but you don't think there will be a pay cut for them? Of COURSE there will be a pay cut. The raise of minimum wage will come out of other people's pockets. Where do you think that extra money will come from? My mom doesn't make as much as she should for her position. With her income mixed with my stepfather's (which isn't much higher), we are BARELY making it. We can't even afford to be on a simple diet and miss electric payments because we're so tight on cash. We RARELY if ever get things we don't need, and I've been supporting my son by myself with as little help from her as possible, and if she DOES help I make sure to pay her back. I only get 305/month for my son and I....and that is NOT a lot. I'm in desperate need of new clothes. Most of my clothes are about 9 years old, if not older. And they wanna lower our income just to minimum wage can be increased?? If people want good money they gotta WORK for it, and to me, flipping burgers at DQ, BK, or Mc.D's is NOT a job that should earn 6+bucks an hour. I actually think it should be LOWER than the current minimum wage ($5.25 here). you get paid for what you work. If you wanna make good money then get a good job and work for it.

[jmur]

Originally Posted by Sherry Wine

And they wanna lower our income just to minimum wage can be increased?? If people want good money they gotta WORK for it, and to me, flipping burgers at DQ, BK, or Mc.D's is NOT a job that should earn 6+bucks an hour. I actually think it should be LOWER than the current minimum wage ($5.25 here). you get paid for what you work. If you wanna make good money then get a good job and work for it.

You live in an expensive area. Pennsylvania has the highest public education in the nation. The state I live in is No.2 New Jersey.(No.1. In car insurance.) Have you ever tried to live on $5.25 I don't think it is that easy. Maybe down south somewhere but the Northeast and such is one of the highest in terms of costs of living. If anything blame the state government for not doing enough for the people. They don't seem to be concerned that gas prices have risen like crazy. Maybe we should allow businesses to pay 20 cents an hr. You say lower your income, but they already do that every yr.(Inflation is a killer.) Maybe they should have a national vote to keep or abolish minimum wage. I know that if they increase the minimum wage I won't be making any more money.

[Hecate]

I never even had a job yet. I got pregnant when I was about to be hired, and no one wants to hire a preggie around here because of lifting limitations and such. I would get a job now, but I don't drive and there's no one to watch the baby unless I make it a part-time afternoon job. I wanted a job before just for some spending money for the rest of my highschool days, but now I have a son to take care of and my mom is making me more independant from the outcome, only getting me food once in a while and that's about it since our income is "too high" to get food stamps. The baby and I have medical from the GVT, and cash assistance which was terminated yesterday for no reason, and they can't terminate while I'm still on my 1-year newborn exemption.

My cash at 305/month equals 58 minimum wage hours of work. That's not much....so I would probably get more money by getting a job, even at 5.25/hr.

Apartments in my specific area go from between 500/mo to 700/mo, depending on where you go. the places for 400-500 are either in the ghetto or the semi-ok areas....and I would rather stay at home where it's safer for the baby than be in the ghetto. there's some "bad" places nearby, but it's safer than being in the projects.

[Tiffany]

I'm probrably going to get flamed for this, but whatever.

I personally think that people who do not work, and are on some sort of social assistance have NO right to bitch at the people who do work. Do you realize that alot of the money that you recieve monthy is deducted from people who work (yes, even minimum wage people) every month?

I'm not saying people arn't entitled to it. It's a good thing to have, and without it single mothers are in a pretty hopeless spot. Same with the people on welfare. But to sit there and say that the people who work shouldn't be allowed to make a little bit more? Give me a break!

I mean, I could quite as easily say that if you're so upset about only getting $305 a month... get a job as well. Heaven forbid, one of those minimum wage jobs. I'm not saying that there should be a HUGE hike. That's ridiculous. But the cost of living inflates every year. So I do believe that every few years, the minimum wage should be re-evaluated to make sure it is still competitive for that sector.

I also think that the statement about how it's only middle class people (not burger fippers) who end up at the polls is the most ignorat statment I've heard yet. No wonder people can never get ahead in your country... they're never given a chance!

I've worked the min wage jobs, and granted yes, I have a better job now, which pays almost $14 above min wage. But I will tell you, you work a hell of alot harder at those 'meanial' jobs that you do for some office/corporate thing.

The thought that all classes shouldn't be allowed to get ahead bothers me to no end.

Just to clarify:

I am not saying that there shouldn't be a mother's allowance of sorts. But just remember where that money comes from before you start bitching about the it.

A small increase? Yes. Just think, more money then to come home to you!

[Hecate]

I TOLD YOU...I CAN'T....I'm on Newborn exemption for a year, I can't work or go to GED classes or ANYTHING, I don't even drive!! I'm not SO UPSET about getting 305/month, I'm blessed I even get that much....but I'm saying for those who DO work actually WORK for the amount they get. Jobs that don't use a lot of effort, like burger flipping, SHOULD be a lower-paying job....but if they only raise the Minimum, the people who have better paying jobs are gonna get jipped, and a lot of the middle class is suffering enough as it is with being taxed to death and the high gas prices! We can barely afford something now, be it food or gas, our choice. I WILL be getting a job after I get off of Newborn Exemption, I'll be going to a Tech school to be an Untrasound Tech, I'll be making actual money, not minimum wage. I gotta find someone who can take care of Wesley FIRST. I'm blessed to be able to spend his first year with him, not missing anything and enjoying him being little, because it doesn't last long and a lot of working mom miss it and regret not taking their one eyar off for them. It's in my son's best interest - for now - that I stay with him.
We like to think that all the taxes that were collected for my mom over the years that go to Welfare is now coming back to me, so in essence, my mom is still supporting my son and I through HER taxes.

And whoever gets paid under the table illegaly is jipping ALL of us.

[Tiffany]

The taxes arn't just from your mother's paycheque. They're from ALL paycheques. Think that min. wage people don't get taxed? They do.

And since you've never had a job, how do you know how easy the work is? Unless you've done it yourself, you don't. I've worked in burger joints. It sucks. You're standing for 8+ hours, have to get orders done right, then clean the mountain-load of dishes that are too large to fit into the dishwasher that they have. I've worked at Wendy's, McDonalds and Harveys (cdn chain) and trust me, it was hard, physical work. It's not just flipping a patty on a burger. That's what the customer sees. As with most jobs, there's alot more to it than what the customer can view.

But to say that it's only the middle class who gets taxed? Not so. And to say as well that it's only min. wage people who get credits and exemptions? They have to, because they don't make enough money. It's no different than you needing to have your money. You have to have it or else you wouldn't survive.

The idea that middle class needs a defining wage point (to me) is pointless. You're paid on your merits. They're not going to pay (for example) a ultrasound tech the same that they're going to pay an office admin. That's where the difference is. There's no set minimum for job wages for the middle class, it's more of a money bracket. (say from making over 20,000 but less than 35,000 for example) Whereas minimum wage is just that. It's the bare minimum.

I don't see why your mom thinks that the lower-wage people don't get taxed on their income. They do. Show me a job where you dont get taxed! I'll sign up for it in a heartbeat!!!! I also disagree where the burger boys are going to be pulling in a paycheque like hers either. How so? Unless they're wanting like a 600% increase or whatever, which yes... is a bit much and that's not right.

But to reflect inflation? Why is that so wrong? It only ends up being around an extra .70 cents or so.

[Hecate]

I went through culinary school, we ran our place like a high-scale restaurants and got paid to cook and cater....sure it was only practice but try doing it while you're pregnant....it's not easy. People get paid better for certain jobs because of the education it requires. Education costs a lot. They SHOULD be paid more for doing all they can to get the best job for themselves. People who stay minimum wage without getting better schooling for a higher position in a job are just LAZY.

And I didn't say JUST the middle classed....but the higher class can afford it, WE CAN'T.....the higher class gets more and more while we get less and less....and soon there won't BE a lower, middle, and upper class....just upper and lower. My mom didn't say they don't get taxed either....that's an obviously known fact that shouldn't need to be stated!

[fosterkid]

i just want it to raise to like 6.25 cause freaking 5.15 isnt even right well thats what it is here and i only work 3 days a week and 8 hours a day
that 150 somthing a week and after taxes and shit it isnt that much and i have bills and i need food and i need to take care of my g/f

Just point this out. Minimun wage employees work harder than people that have better paying jobs. A. we don't have any certainty with our jobs B. Taking taxes out of our paychecks means living on soup for days. I used to work minimum wage before I got promoted, and for people who only get minimum wage you basically have to scrape for hours to make ends meet. Just for you rich fat cats to take it out to pay for you "better insurance plans", an for the lazy shit heads that won't work. I put the bread on the lazy ****ers table!I made 1200 a month, with taxes I made 800. That is poverty when you have bills, and if you had bills you would know how hard it is too manage it. I busted my ass at my job for a promotion instead of doing it the easy way . Nurses practically get handed a liscence now an days. Bakers have to use experience to even get into one of those schools. An honey that job was any thing but easy. Try anawereing phones, getting down orders, baking, packaging, slicing, tending to customoers, an cleaning all at once. Not to mention we unloaded our own frieght. We are talking huge frozen boxes you have to reach for in a below zero fridge an pack onto a cart. Not to mention standing on your feet for 40 plus hours a week. An being nice to every prick that enters the store, and the only way I really got promoted was because I did my co-workers/bosses jobs! Working that hard an living on soup an being forced to have a roommate while feeding the mouths of the actual lazy ****ers really pisses me off. My bf has a slightly above min. wage job, and he has come home with gashes because of the "hard work". Try stcking fridges on high ass shelves at 3 in the morning for 9 hours a day, and you would know. High paying jobs get to work hard an eat. **** them, at least we have determination not a degree printed on the back of a kiddie's menu from you latest mc donalds college.! BTW I am pretty sure your mother has worked at least one minimum wage job. Unless she was lazy as a teenager. Because teenagers cannot have full time jobs nor good pay.So unless she was born a nurse I don't want to hear it. If this sounds vicious sorry pS, this is not a personal attack on anyone's opinion, I am just as proud of myself to work from the bottom an "earn it manually" as your mother is proud of her degree.

[Jin]

Originally Posted by Sherry Wine

There's talk everywhere about minimum wage being raised. It's already happened in many states, and as far as I know, mine is the only one still debating it. Many think it's a good thing, but my mother has a point, which she took to the senator after receiving an e-mail from him that was meant to be for someone else. Here was her reply:

THIS MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED IN ERROR BY (my mom) OF (small place), PA, EMAIL (E-mail was here) , who has been disapp