Minimum wage

I just wanted to express my opinion about the minimum wage increase.

First off I think it's a good thing. Small increases can be good for the economy and individuals (20 cents seems a little too small). However when I hear people talking about larger increases ($1+) and saying it's good for the economy, I can't understand how they figure that. If a large increase were to occur, this is what would happen: Small businesses would go broke, prices would go up and so would the cost of living. Minimum wage jobs would become harder to get. In the long run things would be worse than they already are.

The majority of minimum wage jobs are held by teens and seniors. They teach teens the importance of responsibility and budgeting and many seniors already know this and can survive off minimum wage. I know that this isn't always the case, but it is the majority.

We live in an amazing country. We grow up expecting to be able to afford everything and anything we want. If we can't afford it today we can get a loan and pay it off slowly. The amount we spend on things we don't need is unbelievable. Snowmobiles, ATVs, RVs, TVs, coffee, alcohol, too much clothes and shoes, multiple cars, pets, (this list could go on forever). I do the same. I have a truck on payments, a snowmobile, a dog... Can you imagine working in a country with no worker protection? 12+ hours a day busting your back just to survive? With no benefits, worker safety, worker compensation.

There is no doubt in my mind: we live in an amazing country!

Peter J. Aarsen