Why is it that the greatest nation on the earth can not afford to pay a minimum wage of $10.00 per hour?
363914
Because it is not our great nation that is paying you! Most businesses cannot afford to pay a minimum wage that high. It would be nice...but, it would put most, small business owners, out of business. The government "Our great nation", taxes the small business owners to death! Big businesses get the tax breaks that the small business owner, does not.
467998
Most of the world lives on less than 2 dollars a day. So a immigrant from Mexico can send money back and give an ok life to his or her family.  The minimum wage for US citizens is not a livable wage.  Thus, that's why people are not going to do these jobs.  You can't own a house, have a car, and have a wife and kids on minimum wage, that's why.  Secondly, undocumented people don't get many social services.  What's taking money away from our schools and other things is this war which cost 400 billion dollars.  If undocumented people would be taking this from our economy, that would be about $33,000 each person (12 million undocumented people).  Let me just tell you, you wouldn't see them standing by the Home Depot looking for any type of work then.
1007993
IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON THE MINIMUM WAGE IS $7.25/ HOUR, ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION.  UNFORTUNATLY WASHINGTON IS ALSO HOME TO SOME OF THE HIGHEST PERSONAL TAXES IN THE NATION.  THE HIGHEST GAS TAXES IN THE NATION TOO.  SO WHAT GOOD DOES IT DO.  YOU COULDN'T LIVE ON THE MINIMUM ANYWAY
516827
Why do you publish a question that you yourself give the answer to.  The greedy employers have to step up to the plate and start to pay a fair wage, a job doesn't stink if the wages are fair.  You must be able to live on the wages that you make, when a company like Exon gives its retiring CEO 400million dollars in benefits, it is ridiculous that they then pay their clerks in the convenience stores that they own the minimum wage.  Big Business SUCKS.
1162158
Just like everywhere else Little above minimum wage
943901
about $5 per hour..  \nlets face it..  there are jobs out there that aren't worth more than that.\nthese high minimums are going to hurt a lot of small businesses.
103354
$5.15 per hour is the current minimum wage.
1037514
what state?  minimum wage is different in every state.
288662
Raising the minimum wage is a horrible idea.\nMany companies will opt to cut jobs, as they cannot afford to pay the increased wages. Those that cannot cut the jobs, will need to raise their prices to offset the additional expenses, or cut money from other programs (R&D, advertising). This rise in prices, will only offset the raise in minimum wage. However, most companies will only raise the minimum wage, not other salaries (they aren't going to raise your salary to counter the prices). Therefore, the purchasing power for everyone else will decrease, making the dollar worth less to them. That is, of course, for the jobs where the company doesn't choose to relocate to another country, where they can get cheaper labor.\n\nAnd when wages go up, inflation does too.
1125862
I agree...it's pitiful that the minimum wage is so low. And I think it's disrespectful to the American people. And don't listen to Cali Beach Babe...she's a spoiled brat who's mommy and daddy does everything for her!
1033677
Kansas is the only state below the federal designation of $5.15. It is a paltry $2.65 in Kansas, which is why that state sucks horribly.\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_minimum_wages\n\nOne needs to keep in mind however, that several states, mostly in the south, have NO minimum wage requirment.\n\nHere's a ranking which goes well with minimum wage, per capita personal income:\n\nhttp://www.statemaster.com/graph/eco_per_inc_percap-economy-personal-income-per-capita
1074805
YES i did know and it sucks for the people trying to survive off minimum wage. congress and give themselves raises due to inflation yet the everyday hard working citizen cannot. gas prices tripled since the last raise. Even groceries have gotten more expensive. And dont even forget about the cost of housing since the real estate boom. And whoever said thank god, whats your reason? its pathetic that the richest nation in the world suffers such poverty.
399779
Because they are cool, I have a friend here on-line that is a New Zealander. He told me the minimum wage there was $10.25 an hour.\n\nKiwi is the National fruit there too by the way, so the bird theory is thumbs-down.
1183803
The federal minimum wage is currently $5.15 per hour.\n\nIf you work in a state with a higher minimum wage, you would be paid the higher rate.\n\nHere is a link to the state minimum wages (it is interesting)\nhttp://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm
1109800
The reason intelligent people are against the raising of minimum wage(or min wage all together), is because when you raise the minimum hiring wage you force the business owners to take the blow to their profits, which they are not going to do.  \nYou not only have to pay the basic unskilled worker coming in the door more per hour but by nature all skilled workers are going to want a raise by equal increments.  \nNot to mention the  price of ever day good will go up.  Your hamburger at McDonald's will be $10(exaggerated a little)\nThis is a political trick usually by Democrats to "buy" votes from the poor and uninformed.  It sound good to raise wages, but it doesn't work.  The free market should decide what a good wage for a good job is.
761011
The reason is because the GOP platform is for corporations and big businesses.....These are their supporters and fund there elections!  If we raised the minimum wage, it would ultimately hurt these businesses bottom line....So instead, the GOP blames illegals for lowering Americans wages, its a very clever trick.....However, illegals don't make the rules nor do they sponsor laws!  Congress didn't raise the minimum wage, yet they did vote to raise their own pay!  Its hypocrisy!  And these politicians are out of touch with the American people...
693439
If the country was being run like it should be, we shouldn't have anyone here in the US living in poverty.  \n\nSadly even the minimum wage is a "poverty wage".  You can work 40 hours a week and work all 52 weeks a year, and you would still be considered living in "poverty".\n\nSo to answer your question:  Yes, the government is wasting our tax dollars and making impractical decisions.\n\nIf they were running the country properly, we wouldn't have to have a need for welfare, or be hated by more people than ever from other countries (war issue).