The minimum wage debate

There are all kinds of stories from both sides of the coin on this issue. What I've not been able to find are middle class folks who are in favor of it. Those of us that work 40-75 hours a week to support our families because we live just far enough outside the poverty level to get assistance but top close to it to get ahead.

In this story, they claim the majority of women that make over $100,000/year are in favor of the increase.

WELL, WHY WOULDNT THEY?

These will be the folks least impacted by a change to minimum wage because they already make enough to live on, have an emergency fund and save for retirement.

The people that will get the wage increase will be happier than pigs in slop because they will be making more money...at first. What they fail to realize is that when you make more  money, you lose benefits & there is a place in the middle where you don't qualify for help but you don't quite make enough to stay afloat.

Then, the cost of living goes up so all you've done is screw the lower & middle class that are working their butts off to survive. Now, it'll be even harder to do.

That is, if they can keep their jobs. Small business owners won't be able to afford to pay that much and hours will get cut, as well as entire positions. I just don't see how this is going to benefit anyone.

ANY job is not always a Good job!

 Unemployment: A jobs problem or a work problem? – USATODAY.com

The woman interviewed in this article appears to think that people who aren't able to land a job are being too picky and/or aren't trying hard enough. I'm afraid that I must disagree with her observations. She mentions the multiple emails she gets for potential jobs but doesn't say what her area of expertise is. She also doesn't indicate if she actually landed any of those job offers. I think it's unfair of her to make a blanket statement about the job search process because each persons situation is different. Any job is NOT always a good job!

Sure, there are job openings at Burger King, The Dollar Store or Kohl's...but settling for a job making minimum wage is not always the answer. A starting position at those places will get you in the door but will hardly bring home enough money to support a family/household. Unfortunately, some of us only have 1 income to depend on so the rate per hour can be a very important factor in choosing a job...especially when taking a job means you lose your unemployment.

I can understand her thought process to a certain extent but people taking low paying jobs they don't want/like is a huge contributing factor in the poor level of service that consumers receive in almost every area of the U.S. today. See more on my feelings about this issue here.

I had several potential job offers during my 8 months of unemployment but they paid less than what I would make on unemployment and required that I drive to another town to the office. Does that really make sense? When I have set expenses and a child to raise...NO, IT DOESN'T! That may be what is stopping some people from taking jobs that are available.

Or, it could be the overabundance of other job seekers that are just starting out and are willing/able to accept a lower hourly rate because they have another source of income or they are younger and still living at home.

It's also been my experience that people without a degree but lots of experience are at the biggest disadvantage. I believe this is due to us falling in the middle of what employers are looking for...experience with a degree or no experience & willing to start at minimum wage. Unfortunately, I have a family to provide for and minimum wage just isn't gonna cut it..at least not while I can still claim unemployment for more than that!

Luckily, my waiting paid off and I landed a job paying more than unemployment, although not as much as my previous job. I expected that so it wasn't a surprise when I got the offer. At least now I know I can become a productive member of society again and don't have to worry about how I'm going to pay my bills each month.

I hope the job market turns around soon and that all those folks that desperately want to work can find decent paying jobs to support their families.