But I thought the minimum wage increase was good?
Surely a mandatory minimum wage increase is good.... right? That's what the new Congress keeps telling me. Don't the Democrats want to raise the minimum wage in order to help our economy and all American workers? Isn't that the plan? So why are they specifically excluding the territory of American Samoa? Other territories and all states are being forced to raise the minimum wage. Why not American Samoa?
Supporters of this onerous legislation scoff when hearing the truth that mandatory wage increases force employers to cut hours/jobs, raise prices for their products/services, and expediate inflation.
The Washington Post (and several other outlets) are reporting that the large tuna canning company that employs the vast majority of American Samoans can't afford the minimum wage increase and would be forced to lay off a lot of workers and seriously hurt Samoa's economy. Therefore, the Democrats didn't have a problem excluding them from the legislation that will have the same detrimental effects to the rest of the minimum wage workers in American territories and states.
If their economic philosophies are supposed to be good for ALL of America (including territories), why are they excluding American Samoa?
This article is permanently linked here.
9 comments
9 Comments:
Their economic philosophy isn't good for all of America, specifically corporate America.
Come on, Nick... you think that every citizen of American Somoa owns their own large business and thus are "corporate America"?
I know you don't really believe that, but I'll burst your bubble anyway. They're the normal people. Lower and Middle class. This legislation would absolutely ruin them and drive the entire community into utter poverty. They aren't "corporate America". They are everyday people. They're the ones that would be hurt, so the Democrats exempted their territory. Read the blog post again, please.
I just want someone to explain how if it is bad for their economy, how those detrimental effects would magically go away due to the policy being forced on another territory or state?
First, I meant America in general: it's bad for corporate America.
Here's the thing: I believe that in America, if you work hard and follow the rules, you should be able to make enough money to have a place to live, put food on the table, have clothes to wear, etc. You can't do that on $5.15/hour, you simply can't. The minimum wage should be indexed to inflation. End of story.
Nick, unfortunately it's not the end of the story. Repeating the kneejerk reaction we're fed of "it's only bad for corporate America" a couple times doesn't help the people of American Somoa.
They are not a unique example. They are an isolated example, which makes it easy to see the true repercussions of these economic policies.
The truth is that it's better for those that continually make the minimum wage to not raise the minimum wage. Otherwise, American Somoa would not be exempted, right?
OK, tell me your arguments for not raising the minimum wage and I'll refute them.
Hehe, that's convenient. I think we played the "I don't have any proof of my argument I'm told to keep repeating but I want to try and attack Mike's " during some previous gun discussions. :)
No problem though, I'll play again as I do enjoy the conversation. I'm always intrigued as to how others reach their decision based on the same facts I see. It helps me learn.
So,
Tell me how the big picture arguments that were summarized in my post (employers forced to cut hours/jobs, raise prices for their products/services, and a drastic increase in inflation) are not going to be bad for those 1.2% of all households that rely only on minimum wage. Their pay increase is going to be dwarfed when they only get 30 hours of work per week instead of 40, thus losing full-time health benefits, then go to buy more expensive groceries and pay their inflated rent. It won't be noticeable right away, but they'll lose in the long run. I'd be so pissed if I was them, because it's being done in their name and ends up screwing them the most!
You can't say that that's just theory and that it's not true. That's what would happen in American Somoa if the Dems didn't give them a "Get out of Fascist Economy for Free" card. The same negatives that would've happened in Somoa will take place in the economy in the rest of the territories and states. We're just spread out more and have a much larger population, so it's more difficult to see the results than it is in an isolated place like American Somoa.
The proponents of this legislation say that it's good for all Americans. Then why isn't it applied to all Americans?
Those are my arguments. I look forward to your refutation.
Ready..... Go.
This situation brings up more questions about the influence of political lobbies than it does about the usefulness of minimum wage laws and increases.
Regardless of one's views on establishing a minimum wage, this reflects very badly on the American business power structure and how it affects lawmaking.
... this reflects very badly on the American business power structure and how it affects lawmaking
Unfortunately, your conclusion above isn't what happened. Every report that I have read (no matter the source - conservative or liberal bias) all agree that the Democrats exempted the Somoans because of the devastating impact it would have on the common people... not big business or "corporate America". Democrats don't want the reputation of protecting CEOs and billionaire douchebags. They're the ones that created this exemption.
That's what made this story really jump out at me. The wage raising advocates are outright admitting this economic policy doesn't work as they're advertising.
This is one isolated case, otherwise wouldn't you hear those soon to be screwed workers bitching? Or are they too stupid to do so, is that what you're getting at?
That case against raising the minimum wage was published in 1996, that's over ten years ago, stuff has changed since then. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened and the middle class has eroded somewhat. "Rely" is somewhat of a loaded word. What does that really mean?
You're also running under the assumption that all businesses are operating at break-even, meaning that any hike in wages will force them to cut hours or employees. We both know this isn't true.
Most businesses already pay above minimum wage, so many won't really feel this at all. What places pay straight up minimum wage, fast food is really all that comes to mind.
And call me idealistic, but like I said before, if you work hard and follow the rules, social and/or economic mobility should be within your grasp. You know what, if I am idealistic, I'm proud of it, because what is America built on if not ideals?
Post a Comment
<< Home