In a Washington Post opinion piece, Helaine Olen argues that It’s long past time to raise the minimum wage. (Olen, 2019) Olen claims that by increasing the minimum wage, many people would see a pay boost increase as people with seniority would also gain a higher pay salary and the Republican idea of lowering or eliminating the minimum wage is unfathomable. The evidence used polls, pass legislation, direct quotes from politicians, and Economic policy institutions to support the benefits of raising the minimum wage.
An economics professor, Jonathan Meer argues that we need to examine Hidden Costs of the Minimum Wage (Meer, 2019) The professor’s main claim is that if you increase the minimum wage employee benefits would go down, companies would move toward automation and discrimination of lower-class workers. The evidence used was Censuses, evidence where higher wages failed in Seattle, and university research to support to not increase the wage.
Although wages would increase for the lower, companies may move towards automation and cutting employees to keep within a budget. For example, a small business would have to cut employees because it can now handle paying all the employees the new wage. New wages would be great for lower-class families, on the other hand, companies can not handle the high increase in wage payment.
Even though the idea of higher wages is great, many people fail to see the hidden host of raising the wage to $15 an hour. Companies might not raise their minimum wage in spite of public outrage. Despite public demand, the United States may not see a minimum wage increase to $15 an hour.
My position on the issue should be raised from the national $7.25 an hour, but not to 15$ an hour. That minimum wage of $15 an hour will make companies cut employees and move to automation because they can not keep up with the new wages for all current employees. However, the minimum wage should be increased so the single mom does not have to work three jobs all at minimum wage. I have a mix of agreement in the arguments in that I see the point in both arguments, but a middle ground should be made to move the economy forward and have companies grow in the wages.
Citations
Meer, Jonathan. “Hidden Costs of the Minimum Wage.” Econlib, 6 Apr. 2019, www.econlib.org/hidden-costs-of-the-minimum-wage/.
Olen, Helaine. “Opinion | It’s Long Past Time to Raise the Minimum Wage.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 14 June 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/06/14/its-long-past-time-raise-minimum-wage/.
Great comparative essay, you did well to present both sides of the argument. By putting the opposing arguments first you develop a strong opinion without putting your own biases in it. How much do you think minimum wage should be increased to? Maybe look at this website to show more of the downsides and advantages of raising the minimum wage.
https://minimum-wage.procon.org/
I agree with everything said. I believe that minimum wage should be raised, but not necessarily to $15.
Great article which presented a lot of facts, and overall didn’t let bias or opinions lead the article. It was a good choice to include your opinion at the end, but not to let it drive the narrative of where the article was going. I feel that the issue of minimum wage is a complicated subject which needs to be addressed in a way that can benefit everyone.
https://fee.org/articles/5-reasons-raising-the-minimum-wage-is-bad-public-policy/