As with so many things on the liberal agenda, the hot topic of a higher minimum wage continues to burn across this country — and even its most basic premise doesn’t make sense.
Doubling the current minimum wage to $15 an hour would have dire consequences on job creation, the unemployment numbers and the success of small businesses. Not to mention that employees might get paid twice as much, but would also be given half as many hours — if they keep their job at all.
The minimum wage wasn’t created to be a livable wage, and the fact Democrats want to shoot for the minimum-wage moon only shows how short-sighted they are to all of the ripple effects it would create.
But there should be some tweaks made.
For instance, raising the minimum wage for full-time employees is one possibility, though that, too, might create a workforce heavy on part-time employees.
A better idea is to keep the minimum wage where it is, allowing it to function as it was first intended — to get teenagers into the workforce and even keep older folks busy after their careers are over. Instead, the government needs to mandate an annual cost of living increase for all employees. No exceptions.
This would force big business to allow its employees to keep up with the ever-increasing costs of every day items like gas, food and utilities. And paying for it shouldn’t be an issue IF the corporate CEOs aren’t given the astronomical bonuses each year. It would also help small businesses keep their good employees and make their location a sought-after employment destination. And along the way, such a mandate will put more money into more employees’ pockets and then back into the economy.
Wages can, and should, be higher. We shouldn’t have to choose between higher pay and the inevitable job losses that would come from raising the minimum wage. Wages will be higher and jobs more plentiful in a thriving economy with profitable businesses.
Kirby Winston
Hope Mills