Left pushes for $10 minimum wage, but House Democratic leadership balks

The Hill ^ | June 7, 2012 | Mike Lillis

[Finny]

If we hadn't had so much immigration these last 20 years, we'd probably have a de facto minimum wage of over $10 per hour.

If we didn't have a minimum wage that was enough to support an entire family in Mexico, we'd probably not have the massive immigration problem we do. Getting rid of the freebie "minority" entitlements would also do as much as any fence could do to staunch the tide of illegal migrant workers.

[Finny]

let us not forget that many union contracts are tied to the minimum wage.. Follow the money!

You got that right. Unions are steadfast supporters of the minimum wage.

[docbnj]

Some posters here are just too fast for me, and get the appropriate response up immediately. If $10/hr minimum wage is good, then $20 should be better. Two posters have suggested $100/hr. Same principle.

I do have the answer, though. Any increase would be bad in it effects on the economy and for lower-wage workers, but the political advantage of smaller increases is that the proponents can keep playing the game indefinitely, every election time. There is almost no limit to how many times they can “fight for the poor” by pulling this swindle. It is a crop with perennial yields, like the “defense” of social security.

[newgeezer]

And, any adult who cannot find employment (e.g. whose work is not worth $10/hour) can receive a public assistance check every week, presumably $400.

So, um, where's the downside here? </sarcasm>

[supercat]

Placing a floor on the price of something will render anything whose value is below that floor, unmarketable.

The only way in which setting a minimum labor price by fiat will increase anyone’s wages is by removing from the labor market those whose labor would otherwise be worth less. If a worker wants to receive $10/hour for his labor, what would stop him from simply refusing to work for less, other than the fact that others who are asked to work for $9/hour might not refuse?

If someone could do productive work which would be worth $1/hour, but was incapable of doing anything more valuable, in what way is paying the person to do nothing be batter than than paying him $1 to do what he can? Even if the person would be unable to survive without some government assistance beyond his wages, I’d much rather the government provide support for people who are earning as much as they can, than support those who aren’t doing anything.

[izzatzo]

This is a standard election ploy from their well-used playbook, they bring up minimum wage increases almost every election if not every election.

[nascarnation]

The country really needs a 99 percent income tax on showbiz libtards.

Well done, LMAO

[upsdriver]

A strong economy will raise wages. Here in western ND, you can’t get anyone to work for only $10/hr.

[CodeToad]

Rush: “ Minimum wage isn’t what I HAVE to pay you, it is ALL I HAVE to pay you!”

Minimum wage destroys competition.