no healthy adult should be making minimum wage.  so why is there such a debate about raising it?
832000
I can't find anything here with which to disagree.
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.
967833
Unfortunately, many people do not understand economics whatsoever. \n\nPeople who support a minimum wage should have a maximum-earnings cap placed upon them. The earnings could be used as capital so minimum wage earners could get more schooling and develop their own businesses. Pelosi & Kerry & Kennedy are rich enough.\n\nThe minimum wage schtick is just a ploy to get votes from the uneducated. It results in inflation and more jobs going overseas.\nIf it hasn't worked it over the past 40 years, it won't solve the problem now.
861100
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.
983110
Minimum wage does not meet the basic standard of living for Americans.
623997
Asked off the bat abourt minimum wage the average joe would most definitely be in support of rasing the thing out the waaaaaaaazzzzzoooooo. When one really thinks about rasing the minimum wage in each city we realize that not everyone will directly benefit from a raise. For instance, a recent study shows that most individuals that take a minimum wage job move up in pay to a position  that is above both the state and the federal minimum wage within three months. If one was to raise the federal minimum wage I believe that it would cause an overall pay raise, thus having no affect at all because of the raise in living that would quickly follow. Although this hypothisies hasn’t been proven due to a lack of searching skills, I have found that some others will side with me on this belief. \n\nAnother issue that is along the lines of minimum wage,and is just as promonent, is a term called living wage.  Although there isn’t exactly a  set figure on what a living wage is, a general definition for some one living in Vermont  would be that minimum wage is a salary that a single individual or family can live off of with 5% left over for spending. Its clearly a serious issue. Companies see more and more young, unexperienced individuals entering their businesses, and there for it is easier for them to keep their wages a level that is very low.\n\nI believe that it is very important for one to keep in mind the type of work that is under the minimum wage blanket. Typically the individual that is being paid minimum wage is doing all of the difficult jobs. Many of the individuals that work as cashiers for example are often required to stand in one posistion for hours at a time. Although the work isnt as phsycially  demanding as general labor, many workers suffer from a wide variety of physcial aliments.\n\nSo, from the limited amount of information that Im going to bother to provide you with, one becomes rather lazy in 90’ weather, you should be able to make your own decision on where you stand on the minimum wage issue. I for one believe that we should evaluate each situation on an individual basis and go from there. What do you think?  To get back to your question the federal minimum wage is $5.75 and Vermont’s is $ 7.25
1107609
Many Americans work for minimum wage or just a little more. There has been shows on it. And on Oprah once a guy and his wife tried to live on min wage together (both working) and they couldn't. One hospital visit wiped them out. \n I believe many live this way in Mexico--no all-and they do have a big middle class. Just like here, we have many poor. Somehow they feel it is wrong for them to live -poor.\n And they come here. The trouble is-it is hurting our poor-who can never get a good cost of living raise. And they are entitle to more  benefits than most can get. So in a sense their poor are pushing are poor into homelessness. And they are creating more to be poor here..And our middle class is feeling the pain too.\n I am sorry but I feel they have to be poor there and learn to make do with what they have. We do. My purse is about empty and their not helping me. I want a future too.\n If they were truly starving-than please eat. Your in dire need of Medical -go to a hospital. but just to want more-no.\n  I can't help the world-be nice if I could.\n  \nMaybe they need to take those lawn jobs, and maid jobs-and go work at Mexico's resorts. Move there-they have high employee turnover too and often need help. Or do what the rest of us do--make do in there own country.
330801
Do people buying things help the economy?\nDo companies do well when their products/services are purchased?\nDo people spend money?\nRaise the salaries and people will spend. They can't spend what they don't have. If the minimum wage was raised enough the economy would boom.
860256
Of course this sounds like a good idea - when does not making more money not sound like a good idea? Only thing is, with employers having to jump minimum to $7.25, we'll end up seeing the results in higher product and living costs so minimum wage earners are back to not making enough for living expenses.
1051771
I think it's absolute nonsense. They should be paid a normal wage like everyone else. Isn't it good enough that they get to do what they love for a living?
768701
Definitely raise in minimum wage.\nDon't ask for an explanation because that is self-evident .
642142
yes, minimum wage need's to increase about 70% to 80%\nat least.(i noticed other's are worried about the effect it would have on, inflation. Borrowing money causes inflation, and other thing's...etc. so what is their point exactly\n\nIt's incrediable and scary, that so many people are forced into poverty wages.\n\nIt's is happening in every country (wages not keeping pace with inflation and stealth tax's) etc
1182430
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.
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.
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).
56082
Last time they did it, before it was even put into action, grocery prices immediately jumped.  Those who made minimum wage spent the extra on groceries.  Middle class people on a salary had to bite the bullet and pay more.  Miminum wage jobs aren't for making a living--they are for a second income or teenagers or college students.  Raising minimum wage won't improve the plight of those with minumum wage jobs.
998709
I agree.  I think the tax rebates a few years back were detrimental to our economy.  I have an Idea about how not only we can stimulate our economy but generate additional tax dollars as well.  That idea is raising minimum wage.  With as many minimum wage employees as there are, that could inject some major cash into the tax system.  Also, that could help stimulate business because minimum wage workers save an average of 0% of their income; therefore they would be spending more and boosting the economy.