I'm recently finding that it's not possible to have a conversation about the minimum wage with people. There's been a great job done on the collective American psyche to the point where people are content with arguing against their own interests, even on the Coli. Let's get started.
1. "
But businesses will close down if the minimum wage is raised." And? “No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country.” That's a quote from FDR, who passed the initial minimum wage back in 1938. And when he said a living wage, he didn't mean living in a box eating a can of tuna, he meant a decent living. If a business can't afford that, then they are a net negative to our society. And when they fall, another will fulfill the needs of the marketplace. That's how capitalism goes.
2.
"If the minimum wage is increased, workers will be fired." There's no statistical evidence linking a raise in the minimum wage and unemployment, but I'll entertain the argument. Do you really think Wal-Mart is keeping on more staff than they have to out of generosity? You really think that small business is paying staff to do nothing all day? Businesses already keep the exact amount of workers they need to operate, no more, no less. A raise in the minimum wage is not going to change the bare amount of workers necessary to keep a business running. And if a company wants to dip below that and let their customer experience suffer, well they probably wont be around for long.
3.
"Fast food workers will be replaced by workers." Really? This is going to happen irregardless of the minimum wage. The day it becomes more cost-efficient to have automation in storefronts is the day it will happen. We're talking about companies who exist to pursue higher profits. Whatever accomplishes that goal is in play, including replacing human workers. Automation is coming either way. This is a posturing technique to stall against companies paying a living wage.
4.
"But I went to college for xyz number of years, why does a burger flipper get to make more than me?" Let me tell you a secret. Most Americans aren't getting paid what they should. Gasp, I know. If one personally thinks burger flipping is so easy, that's when they go to your boss and tell him to give you a raise or you're leaving for a less difficult job. It's called having leverage. If an employee possesses skills which are valuable, those skills will continue to hold value. As a matter of fact, workers with distinguished skills will be more valuable due to their scarcity, and the market would correct itself in terms of how that translates in a monetary form.
5.
"Such and such country doesn't have a minimum wage, why should we!" Some countries don't have a minimum wage and function well because they are smart enough to have collective healthcare, cheap education, a more even distribution of wealth, and housing that isn't out of control. Until America chooses to adopt all of these things, it's necessary to make up the difference in a minimum wage raise that can address the costs of living in this nation. After all, we are the greatest nation on Earth, no?
There's a lot of other things that I could address, but what's the use. Most people don't even care to look at the situation objectively and evaluate what's best for society long term. We're fukked until then.
................................and no one believes you
besides this guy is a laugh a minute
