If passion was worth two votes instead of one, those who said Michigan shouldn’t follow California’s lead and adopt a $15 an hour minimum wage by 2022 would have prevailed in this week’s poll. But it isn’t, so they didn’t. Of 202 votes tallied to date, 45 percent said yes, 38 percent said no and 17 percent agreed with the sentiment “By 2022, what good does that do – by then $15 will be worth $7.50.”
Michael Page summed up the yes vote this way: “People who have at least a high school diploma and a job history of working ought to be able to earn a living wage. Companies, especially big corporations, who have benefited from the US economy ought to be willing to support that. Otherwise, there will be few left to buy their products – hence, the current stagnant economy. Wise up billionaires!”
While Judith Brooks spoke heartily for the nos: “No way! Minimum wage jobs are no-skill jobs. They’re not intended to support a family or put one through college. Educate/train yourself if you want more than the minimum out of life.”
Me, I’m on the side of a sharply higher minimum wage. Someone who works at minimum wage should be able to live independently. We have far too many working poor in this country. People – including many in the middle class – are working two or three jobs to live what they perceive to be the American Dream. Creating a massive underclass of people while the 1 percent controls between 38 and 90 percent (depending on who you believe) of the wealth in this country seems like a path to permanent economic gloom to me.
I welcome your views.
If you raise minium wage, will not big corporations pass this cost to their customers?
No reason not to give people an almost livable wage. Big business and GOP always tries to intimidate by saying that they will increase prices to everyone. I believe in capitalism – competition will keep prices low!
Agree.
One point we can make here is: If we raise the minimum wage, the US government will pay out quite a lot less in benefits such as food stamps and tax credits.
The problem with our society and the global economy brought on by corporations, Industry and Government Trade Policy over the last 30 plus years is that we now have as service economy. This means that the days an ordinary citizen can earn a living wage with a High School Diploma or less are gone. There aren’t manufacturing jobs for those folks anymore, and not everyone can get a higher education or skilled trade. So, a majority of working people will be in some form of service job or will be supported by those of us fortunate enough to make a living wage. This is our coming reality like it or not.
Absolutely. No one working full time, should qualify for assistance. Our tax dollars help Walmart pay their workers. If poor people make money, they spend it. And pay taxes. Makes the economy better for all. If rich people make money, they hide it.
The low wages paid by businesses, including some of the largest and most profitable companies in the U.S. – like McDonald’s and Wal-Mart – are costing taxpayers nearly $153 billion a year. American taxpayers are subsidizing people who work — most of them full-time (in some case more than full-time) because businesses do not pay a living wage. This “corporate welfare” needs to end.
They need to get a college education to better themselves. How many times have we heard this? Yet no one mentions that there is such a thing as IQ. Not everyone can be a rocket scientist, but a dam good janitor is worth his weight in gold and should be paid accordingly. It’s a shame that we put corporate profits ahead of a persons worth.
Now we’re getting kids both ways – lousy minimum wage AND if you go to college you graduate owing the equivalent of a house.
Speaking as one who has lived on minimum wage in the past – YES the minimum wage should be raised. I was on food stamps then & still used to eat just a can of beans for dinner. Those against it must never have been through this.
Went to McDonald’s this weekend only car in line in the drive thru and our order was still screwed up we drove up to the window and she had a large Coke to hand me we ordered two mediums and one small then she asked if we had ordered 5 large fries and we said no one small two medium. Also ordered fouble meat quarter pounder but got home with single meat one!! Why would I want her to get paid $15 an hour if she can’t get the “only” car in the Drive-Thru order correct not even close to what we ordered!!!
The Wendy’s in Grand Blanc specializes in randomizing orders. But that’s not an argument against a better minimum wage. Might be an argument for it.
Maybe if she makes a living wage, she can concentrate on her job and not be distracted worrying about how she is going to put a roof over her head.