Quote:
Originally Posted by Derwood
If we want France's healthcare system we must want to stop wearing deodorant and to start making smelly cheese.
---------- Post added at 09:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 AM ----------
The point I was trying to make to Ace was this: just because SOME of the minimum wage workers will have a skill set that allows them to be promoted to better paying jobs doesn't mean we shouldn't consider the higher % that don't. Rejecting the idea of a livable minimum wage based on the one guy at each McDonald's who will get a promotion seems (wait for it....wait for it....) elitist to me
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Derwood,
I am not going to cite any references to these questions because I want you to feel comfortable with the sources of the answers, so I would ask you to do your own research on these two questions:
1) What are the average numbers of hours worked per week for someone at or below the poverty line (about $11K/year)?
2) What percentage of minimum wage workers are primary wage earners in their households?
I think if you find the answers from sources you trust, you will come to the conclusion that poverty can not be solved by raising the minimum wage. It can only be solved by getting people working more. The natural conclusion is that raising the minimum wage reduces the number of jobs available and, therefore, hurts those at the lowest income levels. Secondly, an overwhelming majority of minimum wage earners are high school / college kids trying to pay for their cell phones and Jay Z cds. One could question the need to improve their wage at the expense of jobs for people who ~really~ need them. Yes, I know that some high school / college kids really need their jobs. I also know that most of them are above minimum wage because of merit - which should be the basis of all wage levels (in my unpopular opinion).
Finally, all Presidents and Congresses raise the minimum wage. It's a popular thing to do around election cycles. They are all to blame, er in your case, they are all to be thanked.
