What's Wrong With The Minimum Wage?

       We're beginning to hear talk about raising the minimum wage. Up to as high as $12.50 per hour. Would you be interested in hearing the screams of pain and suffering emanating from business and industry? The idea of raising the minimum wage is a certain job killer. The economy will take a nose dive into deep depression from which the country will never be able to emerge.So go the horror stories.
       I did just a little bit of research and found out that way back in 1912 Massachusetts passed the first in the country minimum wage. America passed the first national minimum wage in 1938 at $0.25 per hour. Two bits, twenty five cents, that was the minimum wage. And do you know what? Business and Industry screamed bloody murder. The same in 1961 when it was raised yet again to $1.15 per hour. Do you remember the outcry in 2008 when it was raised to $7.25?
       The point is, business and industry will always weep alligator tears when anyone suggests a raise to the minimum wage. They will always assure anyone who will listen, that mandated raises in wages will deal a crippling blow to their bottom line, thus cruelly battering the working class. What they really mean but won't say is that it will mean a little less in their pockets. And that is blasphemy and criminal in their minds.
       The thing is, though, that in the final analysis, when all the dust settles, business and industry will continue to operate as before. They may have to raise their prices ever so slightly, but they'll do it and wait for the next time there's talk of raising the minimum wage so they can begin their campaign to cut off discussion on the topic.
       If you ask me, the talk shouldn't ever be about raising the minimum wage, but rather, on how much is needed to provide a living wage in America. I can absolutely guarantee you that the owners and management of business and industry all receive a living wage. Why shouldn't their employees receive a wage that will allow them to hold their heads high in the knowledge they can support their families without getting a handout from the government.