This is a pretty hot-button issue. Many of my friends fall on either side of the line; some are for the increase, some are against. I have read articles, studied statistics, looked at memes... and I have a LOT to say about this. Today I'm going to address some misunderstandings that people have about the minimum wage. Why? Because PEOPLE SAY STUPID SHIT WHEN THEY'RE IGNORANT.
:ahem:
First, I'd like to talk about the misconceptions people have about who, exactly, makes minimum wage. I have heard/read the opinion that if you don't have marketable skills or are a young teenager then you deserve to earn minimum wage. But what about the people who work really hard and have families to support? They make minimum wage too. Take for example one of my co-workers. She is the primary bread winner for her family, her husband also works but everything relies on her. In her household it is her and her husband, her grown daughter and two grandbabies. This woman works her fingers to the bone. She's been a hairdresser with the same company for 27 years. This is not some 20-something trying to make spending cash, this is a full grown woman who has a family to support. She makes $8 an hour, which is the minimum wage in our area. I am a licensed professional who went through almost 2 years of training, only to make minimum wage. So when I'm told that those who make minimum wage DESERVE to? I want to beat someone up.
I also hear that aww, poor corporations, if the minimum wage is raised they will have to lay people off because they can't afford to pay them a living wage. Excuse me, but companies such as Wal-Mart are currently making record profits. Take this into consideration, I beg of you: Even if Wal-Mart employees work full time, they still fall under the federal poverty level. OK, got that? Now before you start saying "but think of all the people that will lose their jobs!" please also take this into consideration: Michael Duke, the CEO of Wal-Mart, has a $35 million salary. This works out to approximately $16,826.92 an hour, more than most of their employees will make IN A WHOLE YEAR. Those poor executives, with the minimum wage increase coming.
JEEZ.
Are you mad yet? Because I am. I am tired of hearing about these poor companies. What about THE PEOPLE? The employees who work full time and still qualify for food stamps because they don't make enough money to feed their families? When did we start worrying about companies and stopped giving a crap about the working poor?
The cost of living has increased. Inflation is a natural thing, and it will always happen. Look at gas prices, in May of 2004 the average price nationally for a gallon of gas was $1.43. But prices increase! It's called INFLATION. Things always have increased in price, things always will increase in price. I see it nearly every day. My allergy pills recently got increased $0.05. Not a big deal, but it's never going to go on a downward trend and decrease in value. Simple economics, guys. SO! if the cost of living increases, the minimum wage better increase too, so people can maintain a relatively similar quality of life.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS BEING TURNED INTO A POLITICAL ISSUE!!!
We haven't had an increase in minimum wage in 5 years. The last time we had an increase in minimum wage, the average price for a gallon of gas was less than $2.50.
This increase in the minimum wage will be difficult to deal with, sure. Companies will have to re-figure how they will make it work. But we should be more worried about the PEOPLE. Stop caring about for-profit corporations, and care for people who are unable to take care of their families.
OK I think that's all I have to say for now.
If you want to be more mortified, watch the documentary Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price. It's on Netflix (I believe) and on YouTube HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jazb24Q2s94
Now go forth and be educated. Combat the ignorance. And stop being a butthead.
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