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Will the minimum wage be raised to $10 in 2013?

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Will the minimum wage be raised to $10 in 2013?

Asked by: Super UserKentoine Johnson in General » Other
Settled on 01/05/2014 05:53 Settled by Super UserKentoine Johnson
Winning option:No minimum wage is not raised

Predictions

Yes
Yes
No
No

Background

It would mean a bit more money in the pockets of working Americans.

A number of Congressmen from several states, including Michigan, are hoping to raise the current federal minimum wage to $10.

U.S. Representative John Conyers (D-Mich.) joined Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois and Dennis Kucinich of Ohio on Wednesday in announcing the proposed legislation they’ve titled the ”Catching Up to 1968 Act of 2012.”
The current minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.

“This legislation is long-overdue and sorely needed,” said Conyers in a statement. “More than 30 million Americans would see their wages increased which would provide an immediate boost to the economy. And if you look at today’s levels of inflation, average wages, and productivity, the data clearly shows that today’s minimum wage provides far less for American families than it has historically.

“In fact, as the bill’s name suggests, even if raised to $10.00 per hour, the rate would still be lower than in 1968 if adjusted for inflation. This bill is a good starting point for reversing this unacceptable historical trend in working and middle class wages,” he said.

“The minimum wage was originally created to ensure that workers were able to secure a decent and dignified life for themselves and their families through their labor. As the years have passed and the purchasing power provided by the minimum wage has waned, this social contract has been broken and the exploitation of low-income workers has increased at a disturbing rate,” Conyers said.
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/06/06/10-per-hour-bill-calls-for-significant-minimum-wage-hike/

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   cici

My image of Australia is sheep ranches and town pubs. Seasoned with the movies, Galipolli, and Breaker Morant. A friend went to Australia for vacation and reported after the Opera House and Ayers rock it's over. My nieces son went for a session of school there and went back several times for Australia football (where he was president of an American league). and the great barrier reef.
Supplied by the Government just means paid by somebody's taxes.
People will pay for what they want, and refuse to pay for what they don't want.

   Super UserPitchedOutsideLeg

It could indeed lead to a long discussion and probably has on many occasions. In answer to your question about Australian businesses, essential health care is largely covered by the Government so businesses do not directly face this expense. All things considered the Australian economy seems remarkably healthy. While I wouldn't attribute this to having a (relatively) high minimum wage, I don't see evidence that it is hampering us. I guess our economy is mainly services and resources based rather than manufacturing, so might not be applicable to US.

   cici

Then, I lived in New York for my first 40 years, and big businesses did pay good salaries & benefits. I wonder where they went. In my neighborhood in Brooklyn which was full of factories, the first one that disappeared was the rope factory (the hemp factory) They got closed down. Everhard and Faber the pencil manufacturers took up several blocks. They moved. The other huge one was Levitons manufactured all those small parts of lamps (for example the on off switch) All moved. Not because of wages probably to build newer factories.

   cici

This could lead to a month long discussion. I live in Florida where our big business is lawn mowing. Most people are self employed, and what seems to be going out of business most lately are "beauty shops". Cut backs are on wash and cut. I do understand the pressure on these small businesses to provide health insurance. No one wants to buy their own Of course Medicaid is available.
What are your businesses in Australia that can supply health care, and pay $15.51/hr? Can you afford to buy the service of these businesses?

(1)   Super UserPitchedOutsideLeg

In Australia the minimum wage is $15.51/hour. Different currency, but same value. So at the moment USA has the minimum wage set at less than half the level of Australia. Unbelievable. And yet any move to provide basic health care to those who can't afford to pay for it, increase taxation of the wealthy or increase the minimum wage is met with popular opposition.

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