The Minimum Wage Is Not The Problem In America; Democrats Are

[BlackFlag10]

As President Obama and his cohorts continue their holy war against the current minimum wage, and as candidates are being vilified for their common-sense stances against raising the minimum wage, it’s important to look at the numbers.

According to a 2012 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, only 3% of workers over the age of 25 make the minimum wage.

That same report states that 11% of part-time workers were paid the federal minimum wage, while only 2% of full-time workers were.

5.2% of hourly paid workers earned the federal minimum wage in 2011, but that proportion dropped to 4.7% in 2012.

From the numbers above, one thing should be clear: the current minimum wage is not the problem in America. With only 3% of adult-aged workers making the minimum wage, pointing the finger at current policy to explain poverty is both reckless and irresponsible, akin to Obama pointing the finger at Bush for his own presidential shortcomings.

The problem in America is unemployment. No, not the unemployment rate that the government reports every month. I am talking about real unemployment. The labor force participation rate is at its lowest level since the Carter administration., and it continues to drop. Americans are not only failing in their search for a job; they are becoming so discouraged that they are ceasing their search altogether.

Read more at The Minimum Wage Is Not The Problem In America; Democrats Are -

 

[Avorysuds]

As President Obama and his cohorts continue their holy war against the current minimum wage, and as candidates are being vilified for their common-sense stances against raising the minimum wage, it’s important to look at the numbers.

According to a 2012 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, only 3% of workers over the age of 25 make the minimum wage.

That same report states that 11% of part-time workers were paid the federal minimum wage, while only 2% of full-time workers were.

5.2% of hourly paid workers earned the federal minimum wage in 2011, but that proportion dropped to 4.7% in 2012.

From the numbers above, one thing should be clear: the current minimum wage is not the problem in America. With only 3% of adult-aged workers making the minimum wage, pointing the finger at current policy to explain poverty is both reckless and irresponsible, akin to Obama pointing the finger at Bush for his own presidential shortcomings.

The problem in America is unemployment. No, not the unemployment rate that the government reports every month. I am talking about real unemployment. The labor force participation rate is at its lowest level since the Carter administration., and it continues to drop. Americans are not only failing in their search for a job; they are becoming so discouraged that they are ceasing their search altogether.

Read more at The Minimum Wage Is Not The Problem In America; Democrats Are -

No, progressive policies are the problem... Both Republicans and Democrats do Progressive policies. Any policy you don't like now under Obama was prolly started, expanded or supported under Bush by republicans.

 

[OnePercenter]

Minimum wage is the base for all wages.

 

[waltky]

Well paid Senate keepin' the working class down...

Senate blocks federal minimum wage bill
April 30, 2014 ~ WASHINGTON – A bill to increase the federal minimum wage stalled Wednesday in the Senate, in the latest setback for Democrats pushing a set of election-year economic bills.

Republicans argued that the change would be too expensive for employers and would backfire by costing jobs. Fueling their argument was a Wednesday morning Commerce Department report showing the economy grew at just a 0.1 percent rate in the first quarter. The bill failed on a 54-42 test vote. It needed 60 to advance. The bill by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, would gradually raise the $7.25 hourly minimum to $10.10 over 30 months and then provide automatic annual increases to account for inflation. Democrats argue that if fully phased in by 2016, it would push a family of three above the federal poverty line -- a level such earners have not surpassed since 1979.

Republicans, though, cited a February study by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that estimated the increase to $10.10 could have the effect of eliminating about 500,000 jobs — but also envisioned higher income for 16.5 million low-earning people. "Washington Democrats' true focus these days seems to be making the far left happy, not helping the middle class," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The debate was playing out half a year from this fall's elections, in which Democrats are struggling to retain their Senate majority and the economy remains a marquee issue. President Obama has made boosting the minimum wage a top priority. Its rejection marks a defeat for him and the latest setback for a stream of Democratic bills that stress the campaign-season theme of economic fairness.

Obama blasted Republicans for the vote Wednesday afternoon. "Workers who benefit from a minimum wage increase often work full time, often in physically demanding jobs. They average 35 years of age. Most low paying jobs are held by women. But because Republicans in Congress said no to even allowing a vote on the floor of the Senate, these folks are going to have to wait for the raise they deserve," he said, adding: "Change is happening whether Republicans in Congress like it or not." Obama also praised lawmakers in Hawaii, who voted Tuesday to raise the state's minimum wage to $10.10 per hour over four years. Five other states have enacted increases so far this year, and 21 have minimums above $7.25. "It's time for Republicans in Congress to listen to the majority of Americans who say it's time to give America a raise," Obama said in a written statement.

Supporters note that the federal minimum wage's buying power has fallen. It reached its peak value in 1968, when it was $1.60 hourly but was worth $10.86 in today's dollars. The legislation was opposed by business groups including the National Council of Chain Restaurants and the International Franchise Association. The National Restaurant Association has hundreds of members at the Capitol this week lobbying lawmakers on several issues, including opposition to a higher minimum wage. Also opposed were conservative organizations including Heritage Action and Americans for Prosperity, which is backed by Charles and David Koch. The billionaire brothers are spending millions this year to unseat congressional Democrats, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and his allies are casting them as unfettered villains.

MORE

 

[Billy000]

As President Obama and his cohorts continue their holy war against the current minimum wage, and as candidates are being vilified for their common-sense stances against raising the minimum wage, it’s important to look at the numbers.

According to a 2012 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, only 3% of workers over the age of 25 make the minimum wage.

That same report states that 11% of part-time workers were paid the federal minimum wage, while only 2% of full-time workers were.

5.2% of hourly paid workers earned the federal minimum wage in 2011, but that proportion dropped to 4.7% in 2012.

From the numbers above, one thing should be clear: the current minimum wage is not the problem in America. With only 3% of adult-aged workers making the minimum wage, pointing the finger at current policy to explain poverty is both reckless and irresponsible, akin to Obama pointing the finger at Bush for his own presidential shortcomings.

The problem in America is unemployment. No, not the unemployment rate that the government reports every month. I am talking about real unemployment. The labor force participation rate is at its lowest level since the Carter administration., and it continues to drop. Americans are not only failing in their search for a job; they are becoming so discouraged that they are ceasing their search altogether.

Read more at The Minimum Wage Is Not The Problem In America; Democrats Are -

Here's what you are not getting. The issue isn't 3% of the population making the federal minimum wage. The issue is wages in general being low and behind on inflation. Tell me could you live on $8 an hour? How about 9? 10? What if you are a single parent? Could you support kids on that wage? I mean sure maybe that parent shouldn't of had kids, but that really doesn't mean the kids should suffer now does it?

Raising the minim wage isn't about the federal wage itself. It's about poverty. People cannot live on $9 an hour even with a full time job. What raising the fed wage would do is lift millions out of poverty. 16 million out of poverty according to the CBO. That is the issue. Raising the wage would effect a hell of a lot more than just 3% of the population.

Would it kill jobs? Yes but we are talking thousands, not millions and the extra money in people's pockets would help businesses and thus CREATE JOBS.

 

[rdean]

Low-wage Workers Are Older Than You Think: 88 Percent of Workers Who Would Benefit From a Higher Minimum Wage Are Older Than 20, One Third Are Over 40 | Economic Policy Institute

If so few workers make minimum wage, why not pay them?

Where do these workers live? In 2010, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas had the largest share of people earning sub-povery wages, EPI found. Here's a look at the 10 states with the highest share of workers making less than $23,000. I've also included, in the RED bars, the share of workers in each state making between $23,000 and $46,000. The upshot is that, in these ten states, between 70% and 80% of workers are earning less than $46,000.

The 10 States and 10 Jobs With the Most Low-Wage Workers

OMG, all Red States. Didn't see that coming.

 

[candycorn]

Easy to see (for most) that when you have a consumer based economy and the wages paid to consumers are kept low...the economy falters.