Yeah, it might require you to move, but that is a self imposed limitation. You can do very well in Greater Minnesota.

As for its effect on the economy, I think it is marginal at this point. Most minimum wage workers are kids and part timers. Maybe 5% — a big maybe — of these workers are actually trying to support a “family” on this wage. most are kids are retired folks who work because they want to not because they have to. For kids it is for spending money, for retired folks, for something to do.

Also, the Bush economy is humming all so well, that this will not ven be a blip on the radar screen. I really believe that. Nationwide, unemployment is around 5%. That means were are now employing people who are not even relaible employees. They are just warm bodies who take us space. In Minnesota it is arounf 3.5%. Again, raising this won’t matter — we are already at full employment and most employers including places like Wal-Mart and McDonalds with minimum wage and entry level employment are ALREADY PAYING PEOPLE MORE THAT THE MINIMUM WAGE. The economy has already solved this problem. This is a solution looking for and searching for a problem.

Liberals, if you are honest about this topic, you’ll have to admit the economy is humming along. You can bash Bush all you want, but things are great. I know they are for me and most of the people I know, Dem or GOP or independent.

If people claim they are not doing well, it is because they bought too big of house or spent too much using credit.

So, while I am not a minimum wage fan, it’s a mot issue since the Bush economy is so good.

A minimum wage shows the value that we put on those lowest in our society.//

Anonymous, thanks for bringing me out of my self imposed blog comments hiatus.

The fact that YOU look in the mirror and say that government has the right to decide what someone should make, regardless of the job they do or experience that they have shows that YOU are totally out of touch with capitalism, but are totally in touch with socialism.

A minimum wage does not put a value on those lowest in our society. It puts an artificial value on skills that they might not have. It has nothing to do with a living wage. Anyone can earn a living wage if they so choose.

We have the welfare system in place for the “lowest” in our society to use tax dollars to get some education that will allow them to move into a higher paying job. In my opinion, a much more humane way to get someone a “living wage” is to help them earn it, rather than require their employers to give it.

If it’s really that damn simple then shouldn’t it still be simple at $100 an hour, sure a subway sandwhich might cost $40 but hey thats ok people would be making $100 an hour minumum hell I bet some college educated workers could make around $120 an hour, oh by the way with the added tax dollars everyone could go to college for free, wouldn’t it be great, people that can’t do math or put together a sentance could go to college, and of course we could lower standards to make sure they all graduate.

my friend goes to college in Iowa which does not have any state minimum wage additions. She is a college student who makes 5.15 and her school is in a small town and EVERY job there pays $5.15. She simply cant go out and get a better job so she is stuck being a broke college student. Granted, college students are supposed to be broke. But if she made more money, than she would be out spending it a lot more and would thus be adding to the economy.

Sure people will lose their jobs BUT think of how many people are going to get laid off compared to how many more people will be able to live off the money they make. I think the greater good is in raising the minimum wage.

I loved the point about a 10 cent pop price increase. I am thinking most companies will find small ways like that, ways most people wont even notice, to be able to make up for the lost money the company has to dish out to employees.

I really hate the go and get a better job rhetoric. No proof of this but I have always not liked the fact that it appears that white trash people who are missing teeth always end up being the ones who work at Wal Mart and get treated like shit. It is a vicious cycle and it isnt fair. Why is it always hick nasty places in places like Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming where people are simply white trash while people in the state I live in (MN) are much better off because of our minimum wage law set at 6.15. You know what else too, the only places I ever hear of companies actually paying minimum wage are those hick places where the companies pray on the unfortunate folks and can pay them whatever they want because they live in trailers anyway. I live in a nice suburb outside of Minneapolis and I havent ever started at below $7 an hour for every job I have worked, and that was even pre-minimum wage increase

I can say “sucks for you, stop whining, get a better job.” The living and working conditions of those earning just minimum wage will not change until they change their situation. Yes, that means learning new skills and seeking a better paying job.

In most ways, this minimum wage argument is nothing more than another entitlement mantra. You liberals can raise the minimum to $10,000 per hour, but prices will adjust accordingly, and low-wage jobs will continue to be low-wage jobs. The “flexibility” you talk about will disappear to inflation, and they will still barely get by.

Your argument seems to be “if you want more money, get a better paying job.” I’m going to assume that you, just like me, don’t personally know what it’s like to live hand to mouth. If I’m wrong I apologize. For the working poor, a minimum wage increase allows them more flexibiliy. A higher base wage (and the wages based on it) allow people to work less hours and find and/or pay for those skills you talk about. But I don’t believe you can just say, ’sucks for you, stop whining, get a better job.’

http://tinyurl.com/

Use it. Live it. Love it.

The best way for employees to get better wages is to seek out better paying jobs, and enhancing their skills to qualify for better paying jobs. I don’t suggest people that people work 2 or 3 low-wage, low skill jobs. … but if they want to, that’s their choice.

http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=277873&z=12

Places of business that have a higher starting wage do better in the long run. People have a reason to get up in the morning to go to work. Customer Service becomes more the focus for more business. Good people are retained. The economy benifits when more disposble income funnels back into the pot. Social services use is lessened.

In many metropolitan areas of the country, it takes making upwards to $20 an hour just to make ends meet. Do many of you who oppose a Minimum Wage increase suggest people work 2 or 3 jobs at the current rate? Most minimum wage workers are people ranging from age 20 to 50, and Elderly working to supplement their retirements.

It’s not much more intelligent an argument than: “Cause I think it’s a good idea.”

Dumb.

You accomplished demonstrating that you could be more uninformed with everything else you said.

Raising the minimum wage wasn’t an issue debated in November, much less one voters weighed in on. Additionally, the increased prices that will result from a hike will make it just as impossible for low-earners to afford the things you list.

The best way for low-wage earners to make more money is to find a different, higher-paying job. Not to legislate the minimum wage.

We can’t make business cut the slack, by all means if we want to lift up the working poor we can do that, but if we choose to do so lets allow our tax dollars to do it rather then pick and choose the busineses we put the burden on.

The gasbags in Washington can feel good about legislating a raise. But they’re creating stagnation in the labor market, and giving low skill workers a crutch and incentive to stay at the bottom wrung.

First of all, most of the jobs lost to a minimum wage hike are lousy anyway. Those two teenagers will not be unemployed for life as a result, they’ll get a job at a Dairy Queen. In the time since MN got a hike, has unemployment skyrocketed in affected industries?

Second, the federal minimum wage is much lower for employees who earn tips, so again, why restaurants would need to raise prices baffles me.

The fact that you can look yourself in the mirror and say that some people should have to live on a wage of $5.15 an hour shows that you are totally out of touch with what a living wage is.

A minimum wage shows the value that we put on those lowest in our society.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=aO0TOGX8SeHY&refer=columnist_sperling

Giving people whom have minimum wage a fairer share of them tax cuts; along with a bump in wage has lead to a boom of small business growth in the past.

Disposable income: Anybody that works minimum wage job will earn more income, to spend on things such as houses, cars, blow it on cd’s at the local record store, or whatever. It will help stir up the economy, not slow it down.

The lies about killing jobs were not bought by the people this November. Folks overwhelming came out in favor for candidates that supported a minimum wage increase.

My little sister is a waitress in a small Greater Minnesota town. (I love this story)

Shortly after the state’s minimum wage was increased, the local DFL County Party leadership was in the restaurant for their monthly meeting. They meet there every month.

When my sister presented them with the new menus with higher prices, these clueless DFLers were beside themselves that the prices of their favorite pecan pie and chicken sandwiches had gone up.

My sister (small town waitress, not rich) explained to them that the prices went up because the minimum wage was increased.

Of course, they thought there was no way that could have happened (having never had to have met a payroll in their public employee union jobs).

But the real world does sometime get in the way. And yes, that was the cause of the new menus.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Two teenage girls got laid off.

Thanks for fighting for the little guy.

Walz, all you are doing is creating more people dependent on Government welfare. Which is actually politically astute on your part because it is the most effective way for the DFL to keep buying votes. Beats cash or smokes, and you can pay for it with my money.

Oh, Gil!

There is clearly a relationship, right?