Some people are making a big deal about the $15 minimum wage because they want a “family” wage. Wake up, people! Minimum wage at McDonalds and other entry-level positions was never intended as a living wage, career position.
It is intended as a stepping stone to a better position through experience gained in that job. As will be your next, better paying job. Do you really want to be 40 years old and asking “Do you want fries with that?”
A $15 dollar minimum wage is going to do far more — in the big picture — to reduce your total, overall net income than increase it. How does that happen? Some people will be hired at $15 an hour, but only the best, smartest, most energetic that consistently go above and beyond. The hard worker will retain the job but will find a better paying job and soon be moving up the corporate ladder to a better paying job, making way for the next entry level go getter.
That’s the way it’s intended to work. If your life’s goal is just to “have a job” and nothing more then you will likely always be living in poverty. It is not society’s or business’ responsibility to raise your standard of living simply because you have a pulse but no ambition.
So, in after thought, maybe $15 per hour will clean up the proverbial gene pool. But the two biggest things it will do is kill small businesses and feed inflation. Then you’ll be demanding a $20 minimum wage. To pay for your $12 Big Mac.
Richard Quint
Everett
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