Debate on a issue

"1: http://www.epi.org...... if 10% of the workforce will have their pay raised, this will help lower poverty." Eh no. That is an opinion piece with un linked referencing to its claims. Read again how artificially raising wages creates a negative system of price increase. The numbers are grossly inflated too. Only 2.5% of the population are on minimum wage. http://www.bls.gov... " http://www.americanprogress.org...; That source simply states !raise the minimum wage! It doesn't detail in any way the effects. "I think it is clear that raidsing the minimum wage will lower poverty" Don't put that in quotes as if I said it. *tsks* "Yes but minimum wage workers are consumers, and if they fail to make enough money, the market of necessities is hurt. This can hurt the economy, and not just the luxury industry." False dilemma. Market of necessities doesn't fail. It doesn't drive the economy either. Minimum wage abolition does not equal absurdly low wages. No. Individual's worth is in their productive capacity - they bargain their wage from their employer based on their skill and productivity. Ones productivity has worth to the employer. Undercutting wages simply harms the business itself as there are others willing to be competitive for labour. "http://www.ncccusa.org...... On the reverse, raising the minimum wage will help bussiness, as this article points out." Again, don't include your statements with quoted mine. Those quoted show a lack of economic knowledge. Extra $200 a week? Who has to afford that? The businesses in question of the employed. At a cost to to themselves at a rate higher than the value of the work itself. What does the business need to do to pay for this? Raise its prices, cut jobs, or go under. Your article, I will use the statements therein. $200 a week is $10 400 a year per employee. Still good for business? This cost is not spread as it would be from a tax, no, the money to page for these wages must come directly from the business itself. "True, but there must be a limit. When someone does some amount of work they earn at least a minimum of SOME capital. This is why fast food workers are paid." Fast food workers are paid like any worker, because their production has value to the employer. "If, like you argue, this competition pushes wages up, why is anyone on minimum wage. Some people on minimum wage work very hard, however their work is not valued for, while not eliete, it is streneous, and no one will hire them for another person is just as qualified." Those jobs on minimum wage tend to be entry level skill wise. One's productive worth has limited value in these jobs. The government through the force of minimum wage is what keeps people there - fewer jobs, less business growth, inflated prices. If a person wishes to compete for another job then it is under their own merit to get the required skills to make themselves competitive in a job market. "I will argue that companies invest in offshore production to get cheap labor, HOWEVER, the value of the work is not low." Which work is this then, at what cost? It is the value of the production of employee in relation to the job itself. "The fact is the government exists to serve the people, and if they let people work very hard for very little money, it is corrupt and evil." No.. The government stops people from the best chance they have of creating their own wealth. Regulation, taxes, and in this case minimum wage all stifle business growth, all reduce opportunities for job development, reduce opportunities for individuals to be self employed or to reach a higher competitive skill level of employment. "Minimum wage may encourage offshore production, but it prevents oppresion." Appeal to emotion - as already detailed the alternative is not undercut wages; it's a system where ones pay is measured by ones productive value set at the free market value. Without the minimum wage business growth becomes more viable, jobs become more readily available, competition for job seekers becomes competitive - raising wages. "And the cycle you mentioned, is easily reversed by raising the minimum wage due to inflation, for that is in part, what you described." Artificially raising wages above their value which in turn raises goods prices reduces inflation how?