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Post by kieran on Sept 20, 2015 20:40:01 GMT -8
I agree with Sanders in his claim that raising the minimum wage will help decrease poverty rates. However, as Sam pointed out, this will increase the price of goods and that will render the raise useless. This is where the Government has to take action, and put regulations on how much the companies can bump their prices. Also, if companies do bump prices, workers can go on strike and force their employers to lower prices. This same sort of thing happened back in the late 1800s early 1900s, and the labor unions were able (for the most part) to get what they wanted, and as a result the overall wellness of the people rose. Bernie is all about taking from the corporations and giving to the people, and his plan to do so seems pretty solid.
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Post by Joey Murrer on Sept 20, 2015 20:40:42 GMT -8
I also agree with Lucas. Poverty is based on multiple factors, rather then just income. It depends on the area you live in, how many people you are supporting, and multiple other factors. It is important that people get their basic necessities. I do disagree with his point that "Although people will be making more money, a $15/hour salary is not going to make a significant change to peoples everyday life". The minimum wage in California in $9/hr and is this was upped to $15/hr, there definitely would be a significant change. If these people are living on only 9 an hour, image how much $6 for the hour would be! That is a 66% increase in money earned per the hour.
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Post by kieran on Sept 20, 2015 20:50:18 GMT -8
In reply to Sydney talking about how not all people living on $15 an hour are at the poverty level, this is true, but is mainly true for people living by themselves. Sam's brilliant statistics show that 15 dollars an hour 40 hours a week will get you $28,000 a year. I don't believe even 15 dollars a hour is a good enough wage to feed a family, and when you think about the people on 9$ an hour, that's definite poverty. Also, Sanders doesn't really need to use any stats or evidence because it is pretty common knowledge that the current minimum wage is not a good enough wage at all, and that it really needs to be bumped up. And lastly, the sole purpose of the Government is to support its people.
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tonyr
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Post by tonyr on Sept 20, 2015 21:10:37 GMT -8
I do agree that anything less than $15 an hour leadst to poverty, however $15 an hour can be different for people. Some need to support a family, some are engaged, and others are single. A person with a family can struggle with the minimum wage to maintain a family because they have kids, pay bills, gas, etc. In the other hand an engaged person or a single male/female can live more easy with $15 because they don't have to worry about kids and having a bigger house.
The government does have a responsibility to assist the people because they should take care of the people. They need to do watever is necessary for the people. Having help from the government can make a huge difference for a person in poverty.
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Post by Maddy Bol on Sept 20, 2015 21:12:46 GMT -8
I agree with Bernie Sander's statement that anything below 15 dollars an hour leads to poverty because it is not reasonable for one earning less than this to survive. With the increasing cost of childcare, education and even healthcare, it has become very difficult for people to survive on this income. This is why it is so important that minimum wage is raised. With a higher minimum wage, people will be able to live a comfortable life where they can purchase more items which will further stimulate the economy. Sanders also argues that if you are working a 40 hour week, you should not be in poverty. I completely agree with this statement. As the 7th richest country in the world, it is very problematic that 15% of hardworking Americans live in poverty. I think it is the government's responsibility to help those with minimum wage because they are in control of the money in this country.
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Post by Maddy Bol on Sept 20, 2015 21:18:58 GMT -8
I disagree with Paige's statement that minimum wage should not be raised because "not every person receiving minimum wage is in poverty". Just because some people are able to some how make ends meet with a minimum wage does not mean that we should ignore all those that can't make ends meet. The problem of minimum wage is too big to ignore. Many places, such as Santa Cruz, are so expensive to live in that it is impossible to live here, even if you are not supporting a family. This is a major issue and is one that is too critical to be overlooked.
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tonyr
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Post by tonyr on Sept 20, 2015 21:21:53 GMT -8
In response to what Darrien said "I think that $15 an hour is poverty if you are trying to support a family". Which in my opinion is spot on and something that I agree with because a person with a family has to worry about a lot of different factors. Another, point that he brings out is that people who are alone could live off $15 an hour, though the consequences are not being able to buy stuff like entertainment. The one point that I do not agree with is when he says that the government shouldn't be responsible for people poverty because that is unfair for the people.
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Post by Ben M on Sept 20, 2015 21:49:19 GMT -8
I believe a 15$ minimum wage is a good thing and wont lead to poverty. Like Emma said, it's the expensive things around us that keep us below basic. Minimum wage is a benefit for people with work experience and people with no work experience. It's hard to live of a low minimum wage. Raising the minimum wage will help America and hopefully get those who are struggling back on their feet.
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Post by maggiemiller on Sept 20, 2015 22:03:35 GMT -8
I agree for the most part that anything under $15 an hour is hard to live off of because it is definitely not enough to feed a family, however it would support the basic needs of a person. Poverty is defined by different people in different ways, so it is difficult to tell whether or not people could actually live with this while supporting others as well. Every once in a while something unexpected happens, like a trip to the hospital, and all their well earned money will go to that. But, anyone earning minimum wage is probably just starting to work and that is their fault for not getting a job earlier. And, most of the time, the people earning $15 an hour are still being supported by their parents or other people. Poverty is not how much money you make, just what you choose to spend the money on, and poverty could potentially be avoided if people bought things less extravagant and just sufficient enough to support their needs. The government is not in charge of supporting workers who get minimum wage because it really isn't their fault they aren't getting paid more. I think in extreme situations where it is necessary for the government to help, such as if a person's life is on the line, but otherwise it is up to them to be great employees to make more money and support themselves. It would not be fair for people to think just because they don't get as much money as someone else, that the government should make up for it, and help them pay for things that others have to spend their own money on.
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Post by maggiemiller on Sept 20, 2015 22:11:52 GMT -8
I completely agree with Sam, and he makes a great point about it. If we raise minimum wage, there could be long term effects more harmful. He also makes a great point about how if the wages are increased the government definitely should not interfere which I think is important because people might think that just because they get a raise, they could spend more, when in reality it allows them to save more and hopefully have a better future ahead. I also see where Sachi is coming from, however citizens cannot rely on the government to make up for their expenses that they really couldn't afford. Everyone should have to work hard and earn their own money, it wouldn't be fair for the government to help the poorer ones just because they didn't work as hard as someone else making a lot more. I do understand that isn't always the case, so I do believe the government should step in and help in certain situations, but people should not be relying on that help.
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Post by Collin Robins on Sept 20, 2015 22:25:59 GMT -8
The median wage in America is $30,000. 40 hours a week * $15 a hour * 4 weeks a month * 12 months a year = $28,800. This means that the average person would now made just below the average pay. No one wants to live paycheck to paycheck, but this could have the unintended side effect of actually making everything slightly more expensive in order for businesses to recoup the cost of what they are spending "extra" per employee, so nothing would change. I would say that the US government does not have the responsibility to help people who are working minimum wage jobs, especially after the wage increase. That means that more people should not need help. Hopefully those resources could then be directed to those unemployed and/or homeless. To summarize, I think that the raise increase could increase prices and send more people below the poverty line than before, and the US government should not assist those who are working minimum wage jobs and have a place to live. I disagree that the government should not assist those who are working minimum wage jobs because in many instances, though it is enough to keep them off the streets, it is not enough for them to afford to seek better opportunities in life and get higher paying jobs. Instead, it often leads to a clogged entry level job market that makes it difficult for newcomers to find careers. |
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Post by Collin Robins on Sept 20, 2015 22:32:45 GMT -8
I think that Sanders makes a good point when he says that he believes minimum wage should be raised to $15 an hour. Other people have claimed that the subsequent effect on prices would render the raise pointless; I believe that if the government intervened and exercised some control over how much companies charged for goods, then raising minimum wage would have very few negative outcomes
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Post by eliasnepa on Sept 20, 2015 22:32:31 GMT -8
With the little amount of knowledge I have in economics and employment in America, I agree with Bernie to an extent. Making anything less than 15$ an hour is without a doubt difficult, and brings in unnecessary hardships that could be seemingly be avoided with a simple increase in the minimum wage. However, to do this we would need to increase our entire economy like Thom Hartmann said. Increasing the minimum wage will inadvertently increase all other wages, expenses, rates, and etc. Everyone will still be relatively making the same amount of money, and relatively living in the same amount of luxury- a lot, none, or anywhere in between. A simple increase in wages is not a worthy solution because it won't make a lasting change but today, 15$ an hour is definitely not a livable wage.
I don't think the US Government has a responsibility to support those who work minimum wage jobs, but I do believe the US government has a responsibility to ensure the opportunity to climb the social ladder for those who work minimum wage jobs. How they will do that is another question, but no one should be stuck in positions like these by forces outside of their control.
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Post by eliasnepa on Sept 20, 2015 22:36:04 GMT -8
I agree with Sydney's statement regarding government aid given to employed individuals. The government should not be giving aid to those who are employed and can pay for goods and services on their own. Government aid should be given to those who truly need it, those who actually cannot afford goods and services in their current situation whether they are employed or not. They should help those with a demonstrated need.
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Post by jenniferlopez on Sept 20, 2015 22:57:50 GMT -8
I agree with Bernie Sanders for urging for a raise in the minimum wage up to at least $15, but I do not agree with having this be set as the minimum wage pay for the federal floor. I don't think it is needed this high everywhere as business' would most likely boost their prices up and their could be a decrease in employment. It may benefit some places but overall it does not benefit everywhere . I also do believe that the U.S. government has the responsibility to support those who ho work minimum wage jobs because many of them live in poverty.
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