One major problem is the lack of good paying job's. Most people working for min wage don't do it because they want to. They do it because. Their is no other choice. Not everyone can be a CEO or a business owner. Their are only so many good jobs to go round. If most of the good manufacturing job didn't get sent overseas we wouldn't have this problem. Also i hate when people say "people need to live within their means" well when their are no descent paying jobs around it's a bit hard. Should i go buy a tent and live in the woods? Even if someone wanted to you could not do it legally, especially with children.
Fact: Only about 5% of the workforce works for minimum wage. Who cares if they get a $1.75 bump. Obamacare is going to have a far greater negative impact on the job market and economy on the whole.
http://www.bls.gov/cps/minwage2011.htm
http://www.bls.gov/cps/minwage2011.htm
A minimum wage also becomes a maximum wage.
I don't think it'd help any.
I would have to disagree based solely on anecdotal evidence based on observations within my industry, attempts to hire employees, and friends who intentionally leave near-minimum wage jobs after a wage increase so they can keep their government subsidies.
There are a lot of "decent paying jobs" around, but you have to have the right skills. My industry is having trouble filling jobs, and in many cases a "competitive" salary in Oklahoma for someone with no professional experience in this industry is $35K-$40K depending on what skills they can demonstrate. That's got you just a few percentage points below Oklahoma's median household income with zero professional experience. By the way, the cost of offshoring in this industry is roughly the same (although you'll get senior level folks who aren't spending a lot of time being trained up, and if they do need training you aren't paying directly for that training).
Just 3.5 short years ago, I was making a salary of $22.5K/yr at a state job (which came out to less than minimum wage some months). Now, I get offers on a regular basis for jobs really close to six figures in Oklahoma, and nearly double that in CA or NY. But I've built this business, pouring several 140+ hour work weeks into it, and I'm not ready to be "bought out" just yet.
My point is find something you love doing that is in demand and pursue it. And be passionate about it.
+1
It's amazing to me how some people thing that the minimum wage should be tied directly to the idea of being able to support a family on that single minimum income. But then again... lots of things that happen in this country lately amaze me.
...LOL. That reminds me of a saying that got me through my last 6 months before military retirement, and is working well to keep me sane out in the 'world'.
Don't be frustrated, be amazed.
Businesses that give a crap about their employees will pay them well. Others such as McDonald's and Wal Mart will not pay above minimum unless forced to do so by the government or the job market.
The solution to many of our woes seems to be that we do not have enough jobs. How do we fix that?
The solution to many of our woes seems to be that we do not have enough jobs. How do we fix that?
