Raise Minimum Wage

R > R1 & C2) Life’s Necessities A budget of $15k a year($7.25 an hr) is extremely tight, while requiring government assistance and public generosity(services such as soup kitchens and church feasts, where meals are free) in order to afford cheap costs of living. Raising it to $21k per year($10.10 an hour), would still not allow the minimum wage earner to afford any cheap forms of luxury -the incentive to get a better job in order to afford more things would still exist and would not decay. It would increase independence and possibly standard of living and or efficiency. Hence, raising the minimum wage to an amount that is closer towards a livable wage(one that does not force the earner to rely on public generosity and or government assistance; independence) would not cause the earners to lose their drive to climb the financial ladder -it would only reduce poverty as well as increasing the likelihood of climbing the financial ladder. Not increasing the minimum wage creates a burden on the impoverished worker as well as the taxpayer. It is not a burden for businesses. For small businesses, the case is understandable because they are start-ups or tiny retailers who will eventually treat their workers better after growth, but for corporations, the case is inakzeptabel. They pay workers at the bottom of the poverty line and cry out about the fact that raising the minimum wage will be financially destructive while announcing record high profits. That is why hearing that an increase in the minimum wage is a burden on businesses, is ridiculous. Pro C2 & R> C1 Mass Unemployment is Practically False Most businesses favor an increase in the minimum wage because they can afford it and are aware that it is a great long term macroeconomic investment[one business alone cannot do it, it involves mass cooperation]. According to the Department of Labor, around 3 out of 5 businesses root for boosting the minimum wage up to $10.10. If the minimum wage increased, many businesses not in favor of it will deal with it by cutting expenses unrelated to workers’ wages and or laying off workers. Though it would mean unemployment and a small decrease in spending, it would be a minor, short term effect that will be repaid in the long run. Since that would not be anywhere close to the majority of businesses, most businesses would take a hit in profits while abiding by the law. However, after a long time, benefits will arise, and that includes a massive increase in spending(wage boost=more spending -> natural wage boost=even more spending), which promotes business growth, and in return, increases employment and even more spending, and the cycle repeats. 600 economists who agreed with raising the minimum wage, 7 of which won Nobel awards in economics, signed the petition to do so. http://www.dol.gov... Please note: Ever since the minimum wage was introduced, it rose at a consistent rate in proportion to rising costs of living and inflation until the 1960s, where it started to lag behind in economy, lacking frequent and necessary boosts -this lack of upkeep continues today. If has been consistent, it would total over $20 an hour. More info: http://www.epi.org...