Minimum Wage Increase

[Haley Smith]

While studying local and state governments, it becomes obvious that people have differing viewpoints on what would help the economy. The question of minimum wage and how it would affect the economy and whether it would truly help alleviate those in poverty or just make things worse is being dealt with nationwide.

A recent article talks about how the Democratic party continues to seek to raise minimum wage up to $10.10, which would provide enough income for a person who is working full time to be above the poverty line. Republicans in the Senate recently blocked this bill, however this sparked criticism from Obama and the entire democrat party. The democrat party argues that not setting the minimum wage at $10.10 would mean looking countless people in the eyes and telling them they don't deserve a fair shot. However, the Republican party argues that it would not only disturb the fragile economy, but also not truly alleviate poverty from those working minimum wage jobs.

I chose this article because the question of minimum wage is one which I particularly care about and which I think directly affects the economy. While Texas is primarily republican and thus generally would not accept such a bill, if it was instituted nation-wide Texas would be forced to include what is essentially a larger government.

While the problem of workers who are not making enough to be above the problem seems to be fixed by instituting a minimum wage law, that is not the best fix as it would bring up countless other problems. First of all, by increasing the minimum wage, the government does not simultaneously increase the amount of money businesses can give to people. Thus, the businesses either need to cut the people's hours or cut workers, both of which would not ultimately help the workers the Democrat party seems to care about. Rather, instead of the minimum wage law, I would fix this problem by educating people to think in an entrepreneurial manner and look to improve themselves constantly. The Bible talks about helping the poor and I think it is the responsibility of the relatives of those who are living in poverty as well as the church to step in and help those who are struggling to make ends meet. This is not the job of the government, and never does Jesus command us to give to the government so they can help the poor. Rather, he calls us to go out and help the widow and the orphan.

In short, the minimum wage law is a controversial topic and one which is generally supported by those who wish for a bigger government. I do not support the increase of the minimum wage as I don't believe that it would truly help people or be effective, but may rather hurt the economy. As well, it is not biblical and I think that churches rather than the government need to be helping the poor.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/30/politics/senate-wage/index.html?hpt=p...

[Georgia Craven]

     I agree with the points you made about this topic. I do not think that increasing the minimum wage so drastically would be as great as the Democratic party seems to think. Like you mentioned, in theory paying people more is a great idea, but it is important to take into account the effects that would have on businesses. Many business owners are already struggling in this economy, so forcing them to pay people more would have huge consequences.

     I think a good solution would either be to increase minimum wage very slowly so businesses can adjust, or, like Stewart mentioned above, giving the states complete control of this issue. Economies vary drastically from state to state. For example, Texas was not hit very hard by the recession, but many states have been really struggling. Right now, states have the power to raise minimum wage, but they can not reduce it to less than the amount set by the federal government.

     I think it is important for people to give and take care of those in need, but I do not think that is the government's job. God wants us to be compassionate and take care of people as a choice not because it is regulated and required by the government.

[Hayden Whisenhunt]

In this article, it is discussing the minimum wage raise bill that Obama and democrats proposed to the House of Representatives.  In the video attached to this article, Obama states several things talking about how it is the Republicans fault that this bill didn’t make it to senate, and that Republicans do not want hardworking Americans to be rewarded with money.

I believe this is petty of Obama.  Personally, I think this bill in general is absurd and a direct attack toward the Republicans from the Democrats.  Raising minimum wage to $10.10 an hour is a big step for our economy.  First of all, it would put many small businesses and even some larger ones in financial issues that could have been prevented other wise.  This could cause major bankruptcy in small businesses.  Also this is not smart for a national debt.  This will make us have to make more money we cannot afford because the money export to citizens will raise.  All together, I feel that this is an attack against the Republicans because the Democrats know the Republicans will not pass this.  It sounds good to uneducated Americans both Democrat and Republican, but realistically this is stupid for our debt.  I do however agree that minimum wage should be raised eventually, but I do not think it should be raised so dramatically.