Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Push for minimum wage hike takes Obama to Michigan
This article talks about President Obama's continuing efforts to eventually raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. He recently traveled to Michigan, a state which already mandates a higher minimum than the federal $7.25, to continue his campaign on the issue. It seems that most Democrats believe boosting the minimum wage is a "winning issue" in the long run but aren't optimistic that a potential bill could make it through the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. Because of this, some Democrats think it would be best to push more a $9 an hour minimum that might be more appealing to the GOP. What do you guys think? Is $9 an hour a realistic "living wage" or should the Democrats continue to back the President's plan?
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A smaller increase is probably going to be better now and in the long run. We've seen this issue come up before, and it seems to be thought that raising the minimum wage too much will cost too many jobs, but raising it only a little bit will be better, and cost less jobs at that. I think $9 is not a realistic living wage, but it is certainly better than $7.25. If someone plans on living off of minimum wage, no matter what it is, they're gonna be in trouble. If someone really wants to make more than minimum wage they will need to do something to fix that.
ReplyDeleteI am a little unsure as to why he is campaigning in a state that already encourages an increased minimum wage. I think the $1.10 extra an hour can make a difference, but so can the $1.75. I don't know how anyone can live off such low income but I think that any increase is important and necessary.
ReplyDeleteI constantly hear people say that these jobs are meant for teenagers, and anyone trying to support a family with a minimum wage job should "try harder". The fact is, that's an outdated view. In the past decade the number of college graduates working for minimum wage has gone up 71% (Bureau of Labor Statistics), the fact is the job market is changing. With so much new technology there are less jobs in many sectors, which means a different kind of people are working the majority of the minimum wage jobs. Because of this trend (which will continue to rise as new technology becomes available) the government needs to adjust so that it's population has a better chance at success.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I would love to see the minimum wage be raised to $10.10, $9 seems more realistic considering how our government functions these days. As we know, compromise is essentially politics, and with a Republican controlled House, the $10.10 an hour seemed unlikely. Still, no family can live off a $9 an hour wage. It's sad that there is no great solution to such a major problem.
ReplyDeleteI support Susan Collins push for a more reasonable minimum wage increase. Like the article says, even if the supporters of the possible $10.10 minimum wage increase were to create a bill, it would automatically be stopped in its tracks when it met "the republican controlled house". I think that it would be much more reasonable to first compromise and find an increase that both parties can agree on.
ReplyDeleteSince the issue of minimum wage has been discussed multiple times on this blog, it's no surprise that I disagree with having it increase. But, I guess a small increase is better than I big one. Specifically the article talks about "the $10.10 figure" and how it "might be lowered in the search for compromise." I do think it will have to be lowered. Though most Democrats support this raise, I don't think the Republicans will let this happen if they can prevent it. Hopefully they can come to a compromise.
ReplyDeleteIf a minimum wage hike is going to happen, it's definitely going to have to be a lower one, at least to start off with. A sudden major increase to $10.10 could lose 500,000 jobs in exchange for lifting so many people above the poverty line. It's a tough situation because of the amount of risk that would go with this reward. Hopefully a compromise can be found and the minimum wage can be increased to around $9.
ReplyDeleteI think that the minimum wage should be raised gradually, so $9 seems like a good start. Then after proper adjustments are made it can be raised to a more livable number. I also think it was a great idea for Obama to visit Michigan, that way he can gain a lot of support in a state that already mandates a higher minimum wage and carry a lot of momentum to other states.
ReplyDeleteAs we have seen, compromise is increasingly rare these days in the polarized politics we have today. While reading the other articles in the blog about minimum wage. I was wondering if lowering the $10.10 bar would help. The more I think about it, the less likely it seems that opponents would even go for this. So while $9 does seem more realistic, I'm not sure if the other side will budge an inch on their position. If they do, even though $9 still doesn't seem sufficient to support a family, it is an improvement.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to see the minimum wage increased to $10.10 but unfortunately the way politics have been working lately that does not seem likely. As the article mentioned Republicans are going to automatically shut down the bill if it is sent to the house. Even though many Democrats probably do not want to right now it seems like the best option is to try and go for the middle ground and raise it only to $9. Then at least some progress would be made.
ReplyDeleteThis blog just loves the minimum wage. I believe 9 dollars is better than over ten, but the same problems will still arise. Some will most likely lose their jobs. This is just how economics works. At first I think many people will be upset with the increase and losing their jobs, but who knows. Maybe a year after the minimum wage is increased, more jobs will surface for those that lost their job.
ReplyDeleteAs great as a minimum wage increase to $10.10 would be great, it seems too unrealistic. As we've all seen before an increase to $10.10 would most likely lead to less jobs, which would more people than it would help. Like Lydia, I think a raise in the minimum wage to $9 would be reasonable and help many people.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that Obama has taken the initiative to help many of the lower class Americans who struggle with very low wages in the federal system. This minimum wage increase to10.10 should help the difference in wealth even out a little but more between the poor and the mega-rich. Whether or not he can be completely successful in having this put into effect is unknown but if he wants to have it fully succeed he must go to many of the states that don't want this increase to campaign for their support.
ReplyDeleteI think a minimum wage increase is very necessary and has been necessary for a while now. I think it is unrealistic to believe that any person can support a family with a minimum wage job. Especially with the lack of job availability and the high unemployment rate a minimum wage increase will benefit a lot of people. I realize it is unlikely that the wage will be raised to the proposed $10.10, I think any increase at all will be a step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteAlthough i think that Obama has godd and correct intentions, i believe that he has bitten off more than he can chew. Raising the minimum wage brings the issue of financial equality into play and this goal will only increase the accusations calling obama a "socialist" and a "communist". Instead, i would prefer that Obama focus on more relevant and feasible ideals and leave the minimum wage to a more popular president who has a consistent legislature.
ReplyDeleteI have taken this stance in the past and i will take it again, the minimum wage is just fine where it is. If someone that makes minumum wage doesn't like it, they are more than welcome to pursue a more lucrative path.
ReplyDeleteObama's valuable time in office is starting to run out. The midterms are the last set of elections that Obama has to worry about as president. After that, he can pursue his agenda completely and I think that the minimum wage is a big deal now so that he can really focus on this in the last two years of his presidency. He has tackled Healthcare reform as a major part of his legacy and now he is moving on the minimum wage. Even though it would be extremely difficult to get any legislation resembling Obama's plan through the House, I think his plan can have valuable effects. A compromise could still be very beneficial and it could motivate individual states to adopt similar plans.
ReplyDeleteThe minimum wage has been a continuing issue on this page, but if it is raised people would lose jobs and who knows what could happen to the economy. It's a huge risk, and I don't think it will pass soon, but it might be a necessary risk.
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