Comments on: Democrats block Congressional pay raise in quest for minimum wage increase http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/ Protect yourself from government gaffes, bureaucratic blunders and incumbent incompetence Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:25:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chicago introduces “living wage” - Homeland Stupidity http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9941 Chicago introduces “living wage” - Homeland Stupidity Fri, 28 Jul 2006 05:38:06 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9941 [...] As I’ve written before, I really hate minimum wage laws. What I hate more, however, is when government not only gets it completely wrong, but does so in trite, populist terms; exactly what Chicago’s City Council has done this week, passing on Wednesday an ordinance that enforces a “living wage” for the city’s employees. [...] [...] As I’ve written before, I really hate minimum wage laws. What I hate more, however, is when government not only gets it completely wrong, but does so in trite, populist terms; exactly what Chicago’s City Council has done this week, passing on Wednesday an ordinance that enforces a “living wage” for the city’s employees. [...]

]]> By: David F. Prenatt, Jr. http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9939 David F. Prenatt, Jr. Wed, 28 Jun 2006 17:21:15 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9939 While I am <a href="http://blog.netesq.com/2006/06/problem-with-minimum-wage-laws.html" rel="nofollow">opposed to minimum wage laws</a>, I was surprised to find that there is less and less empirical evidence to support the position that they are the job killer that most economists believe them to be. The real reason to opposed minimum wage laws is because they are a huge, off-the-book tax that is very ineffective at helping the working poor because fully two thirds of minimum wage earners are not living in poverty. If you want to help the working poor, the best way of doing so is by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. While I am opposed to minimum wage laws, I was surprised to find that there is less and less empirical evidence to support the position that they are the job killer that most economists believe them to be. The real reason to opposed minimum wage laws is because they are a huge, off-the-book tax that is very ineffective at helping the working poor because fully two thirds of minimum wage earners are not living in poverty. If you want to help the working poor, the best way of doing so is by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit.

]]> By: Rob Miller http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9938 Rob Miller Wed, 28 Jun 2006 16:01:47 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9938 Indeed, <strong>Dana</strong> - it's estimated that Walmart's discounted food pricing, for example, boosts the welfare of US shoppers by around $50 <em>billion</em> a year. By allowing Walmart economic freedom we give significant aid to the poor. <strong>Steve</strong>: That's not it at all. A company needs a workforce and it is in their own best interests to pay them enough to live relatively comfortably on - for an example of this, check how many unskilled labourers around your area actually earn minimum wage. Even with a federally mandated minimum wage, employers voluntarily choose to pay more - why would they do that if your argument was true? Surely the businesses would simply try and get away with paying their workers as little as possible? Indeed, Dana – it’s estimated that Walmart’s discounted food pricing, for example, boosts the welfare of US shoppers by around $50 billion a year. By allowing Walmart economic freedom we give significant aid to the poor.

Steve: That’s not it at all. A company needs a workforce and it is in their own best interests to pay them enough to live relatively comfortably on – for an example of this, check how many unskilled labourers around your area actually earn minimum wage. Even with a federally mandated minimum wage, employers voluntarily choose to pay more – why would they do that if your argument was true? Surely the businesses would simply try and get away with paying their workers as little as possible?

]]> By: Michael Hampton http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9937 Michael Hampton Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:51:59 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9937 What free market? How was it proven not to work? And what price gouging? There hasn't been any price gouging that I've heard of lately. What free market? How was it proven not to work? And what price gouging? There hasn’t been any price gouging that I’ve heard of lately.

]]> By: Steve http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9936 Steve Wed, 28 Jun 2006 13:54:52 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9936 It easy for you Haves to come up with all kind of arguments to not increase minimu wage. The free market has proven not to work because you have to many unethical and unsrupelous business people out there. As soon as you stop gouging and the greediness the free market can work and the economy will flourish. By raising the mininum wage is a good way to create fairness and equity for everyone. I heard a canidate for a major senate race said the government needs to prioritize by investing in the people first then business. *wink* It easy for you Haves to come up with all kind of arguments to not increase minimu wage. The free market has proven not to work because you have to many unethical and unsrupelous business people out there. As soon as you stop gouging and the greediness the free market can work and the economy will flourish. By raising the mininum wage is a good way to create fairness and equity for everyone. I heard a canidate for a major senate race said the government needs to prioritize by investing in the people first then business. *wink*

]]> By: Dana http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9935 Dana Wed, 28 Jun 2006 05:47:41 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/28/democrats-block-congressional-pay-raise-in-quest-for-minimum-wage-increase/#comment-9935 Not to mention the fact that wage increases are seen directly in price increases. Which affect most those population who spend most of their income, ie., the poor. We mid-upper "class" earners have the luxury of saving some, investing some, and forgoing some items on our budget. If all of your income is going to food and housing, rising prices take a huge toll on the budgeting. Not to mention the fact that wage increases are seen directly in price increases. Which affect most those population who spend most of their income, ie., the poor. We mid-upper “class” earners have the luxury of saving some, investing some, and forgoing some items on our budget. If all of your income is going to food and housing, rising prices take a huge toll on the budgeting.

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