The debate over raising the minimum wage has been a sensitive topic for many people throughout the United States. The constant struggles of money have left a large number of Americans wondering if they will ever reach over the poverty line. U.S. citizens have taken sides to help determine the future of the workforce. They have either chosen to vote for or against raising the minimum wage throughout the country. Each side has their own views and opinions on how much is too much. Voters who have chosen the minimum wage to rise have said that making more money means that more money will be spent helping the country’s economic cycle grow. On the other hand, voters who turned down the rise of minimum wage said that it will only hurt the economy.
…show more content…
In 2012, about 75.3 million people ages sixteen and over worked for minimum wage. That number compromised for fifty-nine percent of the United States workforce. Recently, there has been a “Fight for $15” going on throughout the country. The Fight for $15 is an organization that was set up after November 2012, when over 200 fast food workers walked out of their jobs in New York City like Mc Donald’s and Taco Bell due to the protest of low wages. In April of 2015, there were over 60,000 low wage workers protesting all over the country from coast to coast in an effort to increase the minimum wage. These workers included people ranging from health care to retail. This protest is known as the largest protest by low wage workers in the history of the United States (“Minimum Wages.”). This shows how the Fight for $15 was …show more content…
For the most part, people think that raising minimum wage will cost jobs. In Seattle, the first wave of wage increases has left 1,100 people who have lost their jobs in the food service and over 2500 jobs in the restaurant business. In 2014, the Congressional Budget office found that raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would conclude 500,000 jobs would be lost nationally. Raising the wages will sometimes help those who already have jobs make more money. However, the wages will hurt people who are searching for employment. The middle class is shrinking while more and more people are falling below the poverty line. “Raising the minimum wage to reduce inequality is like giving an aspirin to someone who has a brain tumor. It may appear sympathetic and for a moment alleviate the headache, but it won’t cure what is ailing the patient.” If America wants to reduce income inequality and help those who work, the economy has to be fixed first. The only thing that will decrease poverty is to increase opportunity(Puzder). Many find that instead of raising the wages America should offer more opportunities for individuals to become better and successful. The American dream states that with a combination of hard work and good behavior any citizen can become anything they put their mind to (Buffett). Raising the minimum wage will not reduce poverty. It will do just the opposite. Studies have shown that
In 2012, about 75.3 million people ages sixteen and over worked for minimum wage. That number compromised for fifty-nine percent of the United States workforce. Recently, there has been a “Fight for $15” going on throughout the country. The Fight for $15 is an organization that was set up after November 2012, when over 200 fast food workers walked out of their jobs in New York City like Mc Donald’s and Taco Bell due to the protest of low wages. In April of 2015, there were over 60,000 low wage workers protesting all over the country from coast to coast in an effort to increase the minimum wage. These workers included people ranging from health care to retail. This protest is known as the largest protest by low wage workers in the history of the United States (“Minimum Wages.”). This shows how the Fight for $15 was …show more content…
For the most part, people think that raising minimum wage will cost jobs. In Seattle, the first wave of wage increases has left 1,100 people who have lost their jobs in the food service and over 2500 jobs in the restaurant business. In 2014, the Congressional Budget office found that raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would conclude 500,000 jobs would be lost nationally. Raising the wages will sometimes help those who already have jobs make more money. However, the wages will hurt people who are searching for employment. The middle class is shrinking while more and more people are falling below the poverty line. “Raising the minimum wage to reduce inequality is like giving an aspirin to someone who has a brain tumor. It may appear sympathetic and for a moment alleviate the headache, but it won’t cure what is ailing the patient.” If America wants to reduce income inequality and help those who work, the economy has to be fixed first. The only thing that will decrease poverty is to increase opportunity(Puzder). Many find that instead of raising the wages America should offer more opportunities for individuals to become better and successful. The American dream states that with a combination of hard work and good behavior any citizen can become anything they put their mind to (Buffett). Raising the minimum wage will not reduce poverty. It will do just the opposite. Studies have shown that