Should this issue be left for the states to resolve? When do you think the next raise will occur? \nPlease Note: Answers should be rational and not humorous. This a serious issue that needs to be looked into. Do not make your comments or answers a partisan issue. However, if you think it may be necessary, please provide examples or justification in this forum.
215734
The Pros:\n\nRaising the minimum wage would put more money in the hands of those who need it most.  Many people agree that a person, especially a single parent, could never survive on ~$10K/yr.\n\nThe Cons:\n\n1.  Raising the minimum wage can create inflation.  Because there are a lot of minimum wage jobs, total wages would increase for such items as fast food, lawn service, etc.  This in turn would get passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.\n\n2.  It might increase unemployment, especially among teens and marginal help.  There are always businesses who are just making it.  By increasing the wages they have to pay, you'd put some of them out of business.  Who knows how many.  It is debated all the time among economists.  Also, with increased minimum wage, employers will seek out better help rather than give a kid his first chance.\n\nPersonally, I think this is a state issue, but that is a matter of taste, not economics.  I don't expect the next raise to occur until a Democratic President and Congress are elected.
672442
Because it is legal for them to do so. I wish I could vote myself a raise!!!
649867
As a Democrat, I would like it if more national politicians paid attention to the South.  There are lots of things going on here--many of our cities vote Dem now, and many rural areas are fed up with poverty and losing jobs overseas (though I know that issue is probably bigger than any one party).  We need to raise the federal minimum wage.  That will benefit the South as well as other places.  There are other issues too.  It's not like the Democrats ignore us, but it's important to realize that there probably are a few swing voters down here.  AND there are a lot of ultra-liberals who will vote for 3rd party candidates or not vote, and the Democrats could get these votes by truly making humanitarian concerns (poverty, employment, health care, etc.) a priority.  The best way to a person's heart is through his/her wallet...
673975
I agree that it should be.\n\nBut the voters have to vote for the right candidates for this.\n\nThe last couple of years (and I don't mean just presidential elections) the people have been voting for candidates that are unconcerned about this issue.\n\nMake a difference by voting for a candidate that finds the significance in raising the minimum wage.
336955
I think the $100,000 ceiling was based on a different time and needs adjustment, but penalizing people for making money is a bad idea.  If you can take a job that pays 90,000 and actually keep the same amount of money that pays 100,000, there is a problem.\n\nNational sales tax, anyone??
523420
... welcome to American business!\n\nif anyone gets above a 3 percent raise... they are related to the boss... because if they gave everyone a raise that deserved it, then the CEO would only get a 17 percent raise... that's 3 percent he would be losing!\n\nbut not only that, but to keep your grade of "good" the company has decided that your productivity needs to go up by 20 percent... if it does go up by 20 percent, then you can have a 3 percent raise again next year!*\n\n * that is pending company earnings double in the next year, if they don't double, the company will be in crisis and no one will get raises
424955
the taxes they get from the top 2% will just go to more pork projects.  The raise in the minimum wage will only raise all the price of the products sold and may even cause some small businesses to reduce their staffs.  So it's not going to help anyone except the democrat politicians who are eager to again pick your pockets.
461889
It's the usual political tom-foolery.\n\nThe Dems were pushing the minimum wage, and the polls showed that it resonated with the average American (I'm not making any claims about the pros or cons of it).\n\nThe Republicans either didn't want to do it, or didn't want to do it because it was a Democratic issue, so they created what is called a "poison pill" bill.  They put it up for a vote, but linked it with issues that were not acceptable to the people who originally were for it (in this case, linked to more tax cuts for the very richest Americans).\n\nThis way, they could tout their vote "for" the issue, and could claim their opponents "opposed", even though, upon closer inspection, that's not true.\n\nAddendum:  It's interesting that people here talk about the foolishness and lack of understanding for those who support the minimum wage.  \n\nThe standard assumption is that prices go up, people lose their jobs, and the business is hurt.  At a gut level, that would seem logical.  Studies and the facts do not support that contention.  Specifically, studies have NOT found a link between hiking minimum wage and job losses, or price increases.\n\nThose are the facts, regardless of what our guts tell us.  I've found listening to my gut should be limited to when it tells me I'm hungry.
645801
Anywhere I have looked, including Michigan, the wages are not what is too high. Utilities are too high. For that matter all our bills are too high. The common working family can't get by on what they make today. Sad truth.
466620
harsh way of raising the question.\n\nI think it is a given that Bush will veto a minimum wage increase, unless it is tied somehow to a bill that gives pork to his corporate friends. Politics as usual.
542774
what good does the increase in min wage do?  the cost will be passed on to the consumers which puts the people back in min wage in the same boat.  I agree raises for govt is wrong but the whole Idea of min wage is outdated.  Simple economics shows this is a sick cycle that has to stop.
218220
Republicans have never ever increased minimum wage, and I don't look for that to change any time soon. That's the whole purpose of their politics. High inflation and very low wages. So how do you like Republicans now, it took America 5 years of the Clinton Administration to pay back the costs of George Bush seniors Presidency. That was the purpose of balancing the budget to bring interests rates down and deflate the cost of the dollar. Republicans hate that; because they would rather do nothing and make fortunes by just raising the inflation rate Example: Gasoline which effects ever thing else, or say cigarettes or Alcohol. It's false inflation caused by them.
664872
Of course they aren't worth it. But what can you expect from a Repug controlled congress? Easy to see where the money is going, to look at those fat *ss gluttons.\n\nAnd no, it's not fair to turn down another raise in minimum wage. Pretty soon, the working class won't even be able to afford to get to work, which will just put the most vulnerable people in society into homeless shelters, or unto the welfare rosters.\n\nThen the conservatives will bitch about the rising numbers in the welfare class, even though they will have been the ones who put them there. Too bad those f*cking hypocrites are so busy chasing oil to see that their own bullsh*t policies are shooting this country in the foot. Not just internationally, but internally.
112179
You have answered the question for yourself, the money was already spent.  If you could prove in court that this whole thing was a conspiracy to bilk the taxpayers out of millions then those responsible would be held accountable, Fined and Prisoned.  They would probably order restitution as well, however these people will have spent all their money defending themselves in court for ten or so years, what money will there be?  These things should never go wrong when they are dealing with the Public Trust, but here again you have listed all the reasons behind it.  If any money were to be recouped it would probably go into the General Revenue and not back to the taxpayer in any way other than lower tax rates or in these days not so fast raising tax rates.
134557
ITS IN OUR HANDS OR NOT.WELL BIG COMPANYS KNOW THAT THE SMALL BUSSINESS OWNERS WILL BE BATTELING TO STAY AFLOAT AHA WALLMART LIKES THAT,ENRON STOCKS NOT FALLING.This is pure discrimanition against the working class,ONLY THE AFLUENT GET TO BE ON THE ROADS DURING THE PEAK GAS INCREASES.WHAT BETTER WAY THAN TO STRAND THE LESS DESIRABLES THAN TO PRICE THEM OUT OR OFF THE ROADS,MEAN WHILE THE DECENT FAMILYS WHO STRUGGLE TO MAKE A VISIT TO THERE LOVE ONES ARE FORCED TO STAY HOME MISSING THE HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS THAT MAKE A FAMILY AFAMILY,BREAKING THE BONDS THAT WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE PROUD OF. i SAY WHO DO I CHARGE WITH DISCRIMINATION. oR ARE WE ALL LIVING IN A PRISON CAMP CONTROLLED BY THE ELITE WORLD GOVERMENT THAT HAS TAKEN ROOT SINCE bUSH SR AND SON HAVE TAKEN OVER AND 911.lETS SEE HOW HIGH OUR TAXES WILL GO UP SO THE LOCAL GOVERMENT WORKERS USE THER SUVS TO GO LUNCHING,LAUNDRYING.WHAT ARE THE INCREASES WITH THE AIRLINES?
610351
Personally, I think the Republicans who voted against the minimum wage should be forced to live on it for a few months and then see if they want to change their vote.\n\nYes, CEO's should have a salary cap and not be given a "golden parachute" when they exit the company. It would help the airline industry too.
374011
Wow, those are great if you can do them, and exactly what I would recommend.  However, most people find that their pay raise doesn't cover their cost of living increase, and will find it almost impossible to do any of these for very long.