Minimum Wage

Congress is currently debating an increase to the federal minimum wage from its current rate of $5.15/hour. The Democrats have a reasonable argument which states that nobody, especially a family, can live on that wage (which is just over $10,000/year). The Republicans say that wages should be determined by the economic laws of supply and demand (and not by arbitrary governmental regulations). This debate has gone on for years, and I feel that the democrats have failed to ask the Republicans some simple questions that could change the debate; the questions are “Do you support lowering the rate from $5.15/hour? If not, why $5.15, that is an arbitrary number isn’t it? What makes that number good for you? Do you think it is a fair wage?” A Republican can’t say that they want to reduce the minimum wage, so they are left supporting something they oppose. Than again, but not increasing the minimum wage, it is essentially lowering it (due to inflation). If you look at inflation adjusted rates, the minimum wage is currently the lowest it has ever been. Another interesting aspect is that if you look at a map of the states with minimum wages at or below the federal level vs states with higher minimum wages, it breaks down basically along blue and red state lines. I guess this issue would be another one of the fundamental political questions that would be easily answered if poorer Americans voted in higher numbers. Maybe (in the name of democracy) there should be a tax refund for voters, but that is another story for another time

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