Minimum Wage Options

[*Steven*]

It's being raised, I think it's a dumb idea. What are your thoughts on the matter?

The minimum wage in Texas is 5.15$/hr. They're raising it to 7.25$/hr over the next 3 summers. I think that's kind of, unnecessary. For one, the majority of people making minimum wage are young high-school students etc. They don't stay making this wage for very long, and it's typically a starter job in which they make this money. By raising the minimum wage, no one (imo) benefits. The prices of goods go up because the employers are having to pay their employees more money and don't want to lose profit. Because of this, every day goods prices have gone up and people who don't benefit from the wage increase have to pay a larger sum of their salary/paycheck towards those every day goods. The people who are getting a higher wage (assuming they were working minimum) don't earn any more money in comparison to what they can buy. Sure the dollar amount is higher, but they have to spend more.

[lojay]

I think that with living expenses rising, the wages should rise as well. Not saying I'm supporting that living expenses be raised, but I think you should be able to afford things. For example, my family is well off, so we don't have any money problems, but if we did, then my mom would be screwed. She has worked at the same place for like 15 years now? And she is pretty much the best worker there, but hardly ever gets a raise. Even though the living expenses have risen, she has to deal with the wages she gets. Companies aren't offering more money even though living expenses have gone up. Where is the compensation? If minimum wage raises, shouldn't corporate raise their wages too?

As for high school kids with minimum wage jobs...eh? Minimum wage in NJ is $7.15/hour as of right now. But personally, it is easy to find a job that pays more. I easily found a job that pays 8.50 an hour and another that pays 9. Even so, most people can bargain their pay higher when getting a job. I guess I agree that no one benefits by raising minimum wage, considering that economy is always raising prices... but I also think that not many people actually get paid minimum wage. There's always a way around it.

[Spirited Away]

I think that with living expenses rising, the wages should rise as well. Not saying I'm supporting that living expenses be raised, but I think you should be able to afford things. For example, my family is well off, so we don't have any money problems, but if we did, then my mom would be screwed. She has worked at the same place for like 15 years now? And she is pretty much the best worker there, but hardly ever gets a raise. Even though the living expenses have risen, she has to deal with the wages she gets. Companies aren't offering more money even though living expenses have gone up. Where is the compensation? If minimum wage raises, shouldn't corporate raise their wages too?

You brought up an excellent point. An example of a profession with a pretty static wage is teaching. It is very hard to get a raise. Their general pay was increase only recently.