What is your opinion on raising the minimum wage?

1. 60

   Katya Drakeposted 10 years ago

   What is your opinion on raising the minimum wage?
   
   What is your opinion on raising the minimum wage? Do you think it is a good idea or should we be looking at other options?

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2. 70

   dashingscorpioposted 10 years ago

   Some people believe it causes people to lose jobs and others state that with a higher wage people spend more money to stimulate the economy.
   There was no minimum wage when we had the Great Depression! I can't think of any recessions we've ever had that can be attributed to what the people (at the bottom) were earning hourly.
   It's doubtful to me that if we paid people $5 per day as they do in some parts of the world that we would have a more robust economy.
   Yes if the minimum wage is higher there would be more competition as employers are likely to invest more time in hiring the "right employees" and in the proportion to what they need. However I have never bought into the thinking "I can't get a job because they're paying you $10 per hour or whatever".
   Having said that I believe a lot of folks want to turn "stepping stone jobs" into careers these days. When I was growing up there were just certain jobs people worked to earn "extra money" or jobs teens and college students worked while going to school to pursue their "dream job".  These jobs tended to require little skill such as fast food restaurants, grocery store bagger, stocking shelves, cutting lawns, retail sales associate, newspaper delivery and various other jobs.
   Today most of these jobs are held by adults in their mid 20s and beyond! I can't tell you the last time I actually saw a real "paperboy"! That job is now held by grown folks driving around in a van. (No bicycles or pulling a wagon).
   I believe the push is on to increase minimum wages to double digits because we have outsourced so many (manufacturing jobs) to other countries as well as signing some bad trade agreements. Most of the people waiting on you in fast food restaurants are "grown" men and women these days. Lets face it those high paying manufacturing jobs are never coming back to the U.S.A. Even many of the higher educated technical jobs are being outsourced to places like India or corporations are paying to bringing them to the U.S.
   A combination of corporate tax incentives to hire Americans and raising the minimum wage are small steps in the right direction but neither will solve the lack of manufacturing and higher paying blue collar job opportunities. Paying someone $15/hr to flip burgers isn't the answer. I'm in favor of a phased in step increase up to $10.

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      Katya Drakeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      This is an interesting point of view. I did not think about the fact that people may be in minimum wage jobs bc their jobs where outsourced over seas.

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   lisavollrathposted 10 years ago

   I'm for it. I think it's reasonable to expect that if you work at even a non-skilled job for 40 hours per week, you should be able to put a roof over your head, and food on your table. I don't think people should have to work two or three jobs to earn enough for the bare necessities. How are they supposed to get the skills they need to better their lives? 
   
   Given the fact that so many minimum wage jobs are with corporations raking in billions in profit, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect them to pay the lowest workers a little bit better.

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      Katya Drakeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your comments.

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   sheilamyersposted 10 years ago

   I'm on the fence. The problem I see with raising minimum wage as much as some people want it to be, the cost of products will go up in proportion so the manufacturers will make enough money to cover the new wages. This in turn leads to higher prices at the stores. If the prices go up, the people making the new minimum wage will still be in the same bind even though they're earning more money.

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      Katya Drakeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your comment sheilamyers. This is a great point and it is very true. I have been studying the affects of increasing min wage and that is one of them that no one thinks of. Thank you.

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   PhoenixVposted 10 years ago

   I think other options are the only solution. If minimum wage is raised to a 100$ per hour it would make no difference if a loaf of bread is 3 grand.

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      Katya Drakeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your comment. i agree!

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   Penny Gposted 10 years ago

   I only worry that when they do I won't be making much more or any more than that as I am one of the lowest paid Correctional Officers in the US.

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      Katya Drakeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'm right there with you. If minimum wage goes up, I will only be making a few dollars more and my job requires a lot more skill and education. I understand your concern.

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7. 0

   cbarbarposted 10 years ago

   I'm glad they are raising it, because to be honest, the current rate for minimum wage was becoming unlivable wage with all the inflation going on. I think people need to invest in they workers more.

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   pramodgokhaleposted 10 years ago

   In west mostly democratic nations boast efficient welfare system but India a developing nation has problems. We have public and private sector.
   Public sector offers lifetime employment with pension and private sector do not have.
   Minimum wage act is in operation and wages  raised from time to time in line with dearness and living standard,Organized sector in private sector abide by laws and practiced but small scale  sector and unorganized have no rules and they operate as they wish.
   Insurance is not mandatory in many companies, actually it is important.

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