Minimum Wage

I believe that everyone should be able to receive minimum wage for the work they do. It shouldn’t matter what job they have or who they are. When I was reading the article, I learned that disabled people, full-time college students, and people who receive tips, get paid less than minimum wage. This to me is unacceptable. Its hard enough to raise a family or to live in the economy has is. The standard rate for minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. To make less than that, would be hard to survive on. I also learned from the article that President Obama supports minimum wage and wanted to increase the rate to $9.50 an hour. This however, wasn’t accomplished. I was very disappointed to learn of this news because it would make people who live from pay check to pay check, a lot easier. If we get rid of minimum wage, it would be treating people unfairly because they are working hard and not getting paid enough money for it.

Maximum Wage

As early as the beginning of the twentieth century, America has had in effect some form of a minimum wage payment for employees.  In 1938, Franklin Roosevelt set the first national minimum wage at forty cents an hour, which has risen over the years to meet the demands of increased living costs.  Despite efforts to raise minimum wage again in 2010, the current national minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.

Perhaps one of the most controversial government issues, minimum wage laws are said by some to interfere with the free market.  With minimum wage laws in effect the employer and employee can no longer negotiate wages.  In a free market society without minimum wages, workers would have the opportunity to turn down jobs that pay too little and find one appropriate for their skills level.  Eventually, businesses would have to higher wages in order to attract employees, and from there an agreed upon wage could be set leaving both sides satisfied.  I believe minimum wage laws actually harm our country and our workers more than help them.  Many times, under-skilled workers may not meet demands at a minimum wage job, but can not be paid less, only fired for incompetence.  This leads to more people out of jobs rather than getting paid slightly less and some money is better than none!

Also, employees complaining of insufficient income can improve their skills in order to earn more money.  This would essentially provide for the betterment of our entire country because everyone would have the opportunity to become more skilled workers leading to a more efficient, higher educated nation.  If everyone strove to become more skilled and educated, we would all earn higher wages and all live a higher quality life.

Finally, in order to eliminate separation between classes, such as minimum wage laws try to do, it might be more beneficial to introduce a maximum wage law.  A maximum wage could be set hindering the very wealthy from becoming wealthier and would stop them from forming a high income class of their own.  Very wealthy citizens wall off the poverty stricken citizens and form the largest separation of class.  The largest group of workers in America is not upper but the middle and lower class and by helping them, we can help our country.

Minimum Wage

Minimum wage is set by the federal government to regulate cash flow to the less specialized workforce.  For America minimum wage was not under federal control until the middle of the Great Depression in 1937.  The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in 1938 set a national minimum wage that allowed the federal government to regulate minimum wage.

Now that the minimum wage as of 2009 reaches that of $7.25 people are considering the discontinuation of minimum wage laws.  Opponents of minimum wage argue that minimum wage laws contradict the Constitution, they express how federal regulation of minimum wage interferes with Constitutional laws on free market.  Proponents to minimum wage laws argue in defense that without federal regulation many of our citizens would fall behind the poverty line, which is a fine line for workers who receive minimum wage.

Even though there are negative aspects to minimum wage many could not survive with their daily expenses.  With the regulation of minimum wage people no longer have to worry about being underpaid for the work they provide.

Minimum Wage

Minimum wage is an hourly wage rate that is set by the law. In 2010 , the minimum wage rate for the United States was $7.25 per hour.  Minimum wage needs to be set throughout the world, just like the United states. Not only does minimum wage need to be set, it needs to be raised.  This would provide everyone a fair chance to succeed in life. Countries such as China and Mexico have very low minimum wage rates. One could put in 40 hours a week for 52 weeks and still wind up in poverty. This is not right. One should be able to go to work, put in their time, every year, and make a fair living.

By making a fair living one does not have to make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. However, if the minimum wage limit was raised from $7.25 per hour to $9.00 per hour, one would make roughly $20,000 a year instead of a measly $13,000 a year.  It is easier to support a family with $20,000 dollars compared to $13,000.

This is just one example of why minimum wage should be utilized throughout the world. It’s not only needed, but, it should be increased so hard-working members of society are able to support their families.

Winimum Mage

Minimum wage laws have been implemented in the US to regulate pay for workers. I believe that they are completely necessary. Supporters of minimum wage laws say that everyone who works a full and honest work week should go home with a proper pay check. Critics say that minimum wage laws cause jobs to be lost, as companies will hire fewer people, and fire people more frequently when minimum wage laws are enforced.

Although minimum wages may cause some people to lose jobs, I still believe that they are vital to our nation, and the strong work system that we have here in the U.S. Without minimum wage laws, our nation might start to turn into a nation with poor labor laws like Mexico. Our laws provide a proper structure for our labor system, one of the strongest in the world. Without labor laws that enforce minimum wage, our nation might fall behind and not be a leader in labor ethics.

Minimum Wage

Minimum wage was established in 1938 by Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Its purpose was to make sure the lower class wasn’t manipulated by large businesses setting unfairly low pay rates.  The first ever minimum wage set in the United States was 40 cents.  Minimum wage has been in practice since then, although it has been adjusted periodically in accordance with inflation; today minimum wage stands at $7.25.

Minimum wage is an important component in what most people would consider an ideal social system. It is a simple measure to ensure that the upper class does not have unlimited power over the working class.  Without minimum wage, workers would be manipulated into working for pay rates that do not sufficiently cover the costs of living.  It is an important part of many people’s lives, since over half of the population of the U.S. works by-the-hour, and because costs of living are now higher than ever, President Obama plans to raise minimum wage to $9.50 per hour, hopefully breathing much-needed life back into the economy.

Minimum Wage Article

This article explains the controversy between whether people should receive minimum wage. Proponents feel that everyone who puts in a day full of work should receive their daily pay. Opponents say that many employees that receive minimum wage, most likely are supported by a spouse or parent. I feel that every worker should receive their daily pay no matter what. Companies shouldn’t have the authority to choose whether or not someone gets fully paid based on the fact if they live with someone else. In my opinion, they are being stereotypical and they don’t know the family’s expenses. Some workers are single parents and live pay check to pay check to pay for everyday necessities. According to the article, a person working standard hours only receives $15,080 a year when expenses are higher now than they used to be. The cost of living is far more expensive than it was in the past. Due to this fact, people should be required to receive full pay or a higher wage. Now a days, teenagers get jobs a lot earlier than they used to because their parents can no longer support them. I don’t think that pay should be determined if you live with a parent or not because some parents don’t help out their children when it comes to expenses. Minimum wage should be increased and companies need to stop being so conservative of their money.

Minimum Wage Response

Minimum wage is an hourly wage rate that is set by law for workers in the United States. As of right now the minimum wage is $7.25. My opinion on minimum wage is short, sweet, and to the point: It’s good. Minimum wage gives everyone that is able-bodied and willing the fair amount of pay that they deserve for working. Sure it could go a little higher, but I’m not one to gripe and groan over the issue just yet. I feel that the Minimum wage fits the age-old saying, “Somethin’ is better than nothin’ ” To a “T”. As the article states, “People who earn minimum wage are usually young.” I agree with that. I know of many high school and college students who work for minimum wage and have no complaints; it’s as we get older that the minimum wage becomes an issue. The article brings to light the single parents across America, scraping by to get food on the table for their children as well as pay those pesky bills every month. I can see where minimum wage just might not be enough in their case. But there are ways they can get by and receive help if they truly need it. I do not feel that minimum wage is as much as a problem as people’s need to spend money on frivolous and unneeded items. Now that is an issue that Americans should complain about. All in all, I feel that as a teenager in America the minimum wage is A-okay and that maybe in the future I’ll have a different opinion on the subject.

Minimum Wage Laws

This article is very intriguing and displays the positives and negatives of government enforced minimum wage. I agree that the government should set a wage and all businesses should have to pay that  to their employees. The article states opponents of minimum wage argue that teenagers should not receive the set hourly rate. They argue that  teenagers do not support themselves and many financial resources are provided by their parents or guardians. Although teenagers may not have to pay rent, many have to pay for all other expenses. Minimum wage pays enough money to help people support themselves. Many teenagers are planning to attend college and their minimum wage jobs help them to save for a large tuition bill. In return, when teenagers save for college with a decently paying job,  a fewer number of students will take out  large student loans, which in return will help the government and economy.

Opponents argue that if workers are unhappy with the wages at their employer, they should move jobs or negotiate for a better rate. In this poor economy, finding a better paying job is more difficult than it sounds. Many workers cannot just find new jobs with a better hourly rate. However, a set rate will make more jobs equally appealing.  Minimum wage should be kept. The rates help the economy and help workers support themselves.

Minimum Wage

In the article the idea that minimum wage laws disrupt the free market system is discussed.  It says that minimum wage laws do not allow employers and employees to negotiate a wage that is right for both of them. I believe that does not matter and that there should be minimum wage laws.  Minimum wage laws are necessary because the cost of living is so much higher nowadays.  Without these laws employers could under pay their employees and make it hard for them to pay bills.   Also if minimum wage was not a set amount some people may not be able to afford the necessities of life (clothing, food, shelter, etc.) for themselves or their families.

Also in the article it says that people who receive tips do not get paid minimum wage. This is the case with most waiters and waitresses. They get paid what is called “waiter’s wage” which is set at $4.25 an hour because their tips “make up for” the lack of pay.  As a former waitress I feel this is unfair. Tips are gifts to the waiter or waitress for their service.  Not every costumer leaves a tip even if the server gives them exceptional service.  Waiters and waitresses may work just as hard as some who receives minimum wage and does not have to deal with the public (which can be very frustrating) but they are paid less because employers expect the tips costumers may give them to cover what the worker is not being paid.

Some people believe that wages should be set on a worker’s performance. I do not believe in this because if an employer does not like an employee he can pay that employee less than the others because of personal opinion.  I feel that bonuses and raises should be based on performance. If employees are working hard and doing their jobs correctly and efficiently they should be rewarded.

All in all I feel the minimum wage laws are fair and necessary in today’s society.    Without them I feel there would be a lot more people struggling to live their lives.