How low can you get: the minimum wage scam

[Demo_Chris]

4. Clearly the minimum wage is too low, but...

But what SHOULD it be?

Remember as well that the issue goes beyond just some random number. The more people earn, in general, the less they are entitled to in foodstamps and other benefits. Further, an increase in minimum wage is generally not accompanied by a corresponding increase in the wages of everyone above that. Those who have clawed their way a step or two up the ladder remain where they are, and the bottom just rises to meet them. Further, it's absolutely a mistake to forget the very small businesses who are barely making it now and simply cannot afford any increase -- and add to this the larger corporations you offset the increases with layoffs to cover.

And none of this even begins to address the other side of the issue: COSTS.

We live in a nation of haves and have-nots. The percentage in the latter category is exploding, and yet the prices for basic necessities has generally risen as well. Half the population is living in or near poverty, yet the costs for medical, housing, and education have only grown, and grown faster than ANY possible minimum wage hike can compensate for. We have now reached the point at which we are two nations, and the half with money has written off the half without, and the people at the top -- seeing the coming collapse -- are merrily looting everything they can get their hands on.