Is minimum wage livable?

Is it possible to live on the minimum wage? This question runs through most peoples minds, when it comes to economics and all types of crises. During economic crises such as the ones we are facing now, prices rise and fall, most small businesses fall and people become unemployed. The minimum wage should be raised once and for all, this way we can try to put a hold on prices growing or falling in an unstable economy.

Prices for everyday things are reaching an extreme. Global warming is making it worse by lowering the amount of fossil fuels. If there is no increase in minimum wage there will be more homeless people on the street, and more people on welfare.This will really increase the number of shelters and projects.

"Let's finally make the minimum wage a living wage. Let's tie it to the cost of living so we don't have to wait another 10 years to see it rise" argued Democratic candidate, Barack Obama at the "Take Back America 2007 Conference" on June 19, 2007.

I agree with Obama. Let's make a minimum wage that everyone can live by and everyone can follow. People go crazy when the prices for gas and other valuables rise. Let's keep them from rising before it's too late. This can be partly obtained by recycling. Saving money by reusing paper or recycling bottles will give the economy a big push in the increase in money distributions all around the world. This is also good in the saving of fossil fuels.    

Bob Barr, the Libertarian candidate for President argues for "Small business incentives, capital gains cut and indexation, neutral cost recovery, risk assessment/cost-benefit analysis, strengthening the Regulatory Flexibility Act and unfunded mandate reform to create jobs and raise worker wages."

The Republican candidate for President, John McCain argues: "If there are some protections for small business. It's a fact that small business has to be able to sustain an increase in payroll and we should be able to sit down and work that out."

Yes it's true that small business may not be able to sustain an increase in their wages. If we are able to keep prices for everyday items at a low cost, there shouldn't be a problem with keeping those businesses open.      

In an interview with IPS News on March 22, 2008, Cythina Mckinney, the Green Party candidate said: "If the minimum wage had kept up with the stratospheric height of CEO remuneration, the minimum wage would be 22 dollars an hour. It is not sufficient given the income inequality that exists in our country and the erosion of value of workers' wages." It would never be that high if we can keep prices from rising.

 

On the Draft Nader web site, Ralph Nader, who is running as an Independent, has stated that "exploiting immigrant workers puts a downward pressure on US labor wages and standards. A $10 minimum wage would open many of these jobs to unemployed American workers." In this case raising minimum wage will keep small business, small business.