By Jake Armstrong
Morris News Service
ATLANTA - The impact of an upcoming minimum wage increase would triple if the state surpassed federal limits on what the nation's lowest-paid workers earn, according to a recent report by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.
The federal minimum wage rose to $6.55 in July, as part of a three-year incremental increase that will move to $7.25 in July 2009. The report states that hike will boost the paychecks of 119,000 workers.
But if state lawmakers were to simultaneously increase the state's minimum wage to $8 by next summer, the increase would have three times the impact and benefit at least 337,000 workers, the report said.
A number of workers whose wages are higher but linked to the minimum wage would also see a raise, said report author Sara Beth Gehl, deputy director of the institute.
A week of work at a Taco Bell in Augusta leaves 18-year-old Jason Willis with just enough money to pay bills, give a little money to his mother, whom he lives with, and fill his gas tank for trips to work and Augusta Technical College for classes to get his GED.
"I can't even move out of my mama's house, and I got a child on the way," Willis said.
Willis said he'd feel he was getting a fair wage if he earned more than the minimum.
"How am I supposed to make a living making $6.55 an hour?" he said.
An increase to $8 an hour next summer would add $30 a week to a full-time minimum wage worker's paycheck, for an annual salary near $15,300. The hike to $7.25 will add $28 a week.
But many businesses - and their employees - would lose out under a minimum wage higher than the federal limit, said George Israel, president of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
A higher wage may cause some businesses to cut hours for their workers or the number of employees, as well as reduce their level of competition with surrounding states at the federal limit, he said.
Israel said arguments a higher wage would lift the working poor are a "sham," because the increase would only trigger an inflationary spiral that raises the cost of goods the working poor buy.
"I don't think the working poor ever get out of that," Israel said.
Israel also doubted so many workers would benefit under such an increase.
An increase in the state minimum wage could help thin the ranks of Georgia's working poor, the report stated.
It cites that the roll of recipients for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families shrunk 69 percent in the five years leading up to 2007, while the number of adults receiving the benefit dropped 90 percent. A higher minimum wage would continue to help those families shift to the working world from government assistance, the report opined.
"It's one way to get working families on the road out of poverty," said Alan Essig, the institute's executive director.
Georgia's $5.15 minimum wage is now lower than the federal minimum wage, so exempted workers - high school and college students, farm workers, waiters, newspaper carriers and a few others - would continue to earn the lower figure after the July 2009 increase.
Many assume teenagers hold minimum wage jobs. But the report said that 85 percent of minimum wage earners in the state are 20 or older. Additionally, 63 percent are female and half work more than 35 hours a week.
Efforts to raise the minimum wage haven't fared well in the General Assembly.
Rep. Doug McKillip (D-Athens) sponsored a bill in 2007 to raise the minimum wage for covered employees at most companies to $6.20, an increase from $5.15 paid at the time, and to $7.25 in July 2008, with annual cost of living increases.
The bill never made it out of the House. McKillip said General Assembly leadership prevented it from getting a hearing in committee.
A similar measure by Senate Democrats failed that same year, and the minimum wage effort languished in the 2008 session.
McKillip said he'll meet with supporters of a minimum wage increase in the coming months and plans to introduce a bill to raise the wage in the 2009 session.
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Posted Comments
"I can't even move out of my mama's house, and I got a child on the way," ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ok.. You make minimum wage, live with your mother and still manage find time to get some girl pregnant. The world is full of folks who make bad decisions. Jason, my young friend, are one of them. Cry me a river.
Should have thought about not having enough money before you decided to reproduce. That part of the equation was completely within your control!
An 18 year old working at Taco Bell with a child on the way??? That's justification for raising the minimum wage?? Lord help us. How about this, 18 year old Jason Willis: continue to get your education, and don't have children you can't afford. If the minimum raise is raised to $8.00/hr, you may just find yourself unemployed. The recent rise in the unemployment rate in Georgia correlates with the July 1 increase in the minimum wage. Coincidence? I don't think so. If employers are forced to pay inexperienced, unskilled workers more, they will get by with fewer of them. Basically, the only people benefitting from minimum wage increases are high paid union workers, whose wages are usually indexed to the minimum wage.
Why not go for real social justice? If we make the minimum wage $150.00 per hour we will all be able to have affordable housing, good healthcare, and a healthy lifestyle. All we need is for our elected politicians to have the vision and the courage to do what is right. Dare to be great!
If you lack the job skills to earn more than minimum wage and "can't even move out of my mama's house" then you should not be having children. Your situation is the result of your poor decisions.
Apparently you need to learn econ 101. Raising the minimum wage actually increases unemployment. Mandated wage increases will prompt business owners to cut payroll because such an increase affects their bottom line. Also, the tripe about people with children on minimum wage is ridiculous. If you are only capable of minimum wage you perhaps should rethink reproducing.
The guy stated he is making 6.55 an hour and he has a child on the way? Geez, if all you can earn is 6.55, you really have no business having a child.
How am I supposed to make a living making $6.55 an hour. Why didn't you think of that before you decided an education was not important and it was necessary to have a child. Who is going to take care of the child and what are the chances the child will end up like you? Stop asking for help. Work 2 or 3 jobs and start taking care of your problems. You made the choices.
I let 3 people go from my business after the recent minimum wage increase, I only have 2 left. I don't think I could afford to keep them on if they increase the minimum wage again. How am I supposed to run my business? What good is a 'minimum wage' if no one can afford to pay it?
"I can't even move out of my mama's house, and I got a child on the way," Willis said." Who is responsible for your poor choices in life? If your skills are only worth the minimum wage why are you having children you obviously can't afford? Why don't we just make 'minimum wage' about $40.00/hr? That would only be fair, right?
The minimum wage was not designed to support a family. Perhaps Jason Willis should have learned some marketable skills before he impregnated some chick.
"I can't even move out of my mama's house, and I got a child on the way," Willis said. Willis said he'd feel he was getting a fair wage if he earned more than the minimum. "How am I supposed to make a living making $6.55 an hour?" You can't and you have no business having a child if all you can earn in minimum wage!
Let's see... Jason dropped out of school. He's still living with 'mama'. He got a girl pregnant -- I'm guessing he and the baby's mama are NOT married. He's working an entry level job at Taco Bell. So other than being a careless casanova, what skills does he possess that warrant a wage above minimum? Oh, and Jason, you're NOT SUPPOSED to make a living on $6.55 an hour! What Jason and others like him need to do is be MORE responsible!! Stay in school! Jason at least learned that lesson because he is attempting to earn his GED. Don't engage in unprotected sex! If Jason had stayed in school maybe he would have learned what caused pregnancies! And WHERE is HIS 'mama' in all of this? Why didn't SHE teach him self respect? As for the number of women who work at minimum wage, the above applies to them also! I'm a business owner. I pay my employees what their labor is worth, unless they bring value to the business, i.e., specific skills or experience. And that requires either on-the-job training and experience or additional schooling beyond high school. In no way am I responsible for paying them a 'living wage'. It is each employees responsibility to acquire the skills needs to earn that type of pay!!!
18-year-old Jason Wills: "I can't even move out of my mama's house, and I got a child on the way," Willis said. "How am I supposed to make a living making $6.55 an hour?" he said. Does anything else need to be said? This 18-year-old idiot went out, knocked up some girl while living with Mama. He doesn't have an education and he can't get a decent job and now wants somebody to be forced to pay him more money for sticking tacos together. The fact that this is even in the news is a pitiful statement on our society.
Some people just don't get it, Minimum wage is minimum wage. First, an employer pays the going rate for unskilled labor. If the subject in this story quit this job someone else would move right into it. If the employer pays more for an employee his over head goes up and the price of his product goes up. Then the new minimum wage is right back where it started befor it went up, Economics 101. So stay in school learn a skill other then "...do you want fries with that".
If Jason Willis is living in his mother's house, and makes minimum wage, why is he fathering a child?
This article is laughable. "'I can't even move out of my mama's house, and I got a child on the way,' Willis said." Let me think. First, mayeb you should have stayed in high school. Second, maybe you should have got a women pregnant when you are 18, living with your mom, and working for Taco Bell. Third, if you want more money, do something to earn it rather than complain that it isn't fair. Was this article really supposed to support the increase of minimum wage? Or do just the opposite and make it obvious that the idea is absolutely ridiculous?
Jake, do you lack basic skills in economics or do you just believe your own empty rhetoric? There is so much wrong in your attempt to make a point there is not enough space to respond. You would be the same person who after the minimum wage increased to your proposed levels, then write an article complaining about the decrease in available jobs to teens... To quote Bugs Bunny "What a maroon".
Why should Jason Willis make more? Does he have a marketable skill that is worth more? It doesn't sound like it, working at Taco Bell. Just because someone makes a poor choice and has a baby before they can afford to take care of one shouldn't mean one deserves to make more. Willis should have finished college first. Taco Bell shouldn't be forced to pay more than an employee is worth. The truth is, when the minimum wage increases, a company such as Taco Bell will decrease the number of employees and/or raise the price of their product. In the end, nobody will come out ahead. The government should leave things alone.
Okay, he's trying to get a GED, got a girl pregnant and he's complaining about only earning minimum wage? Some times life sucks doesn't it? Questions - * Does he have a cell phone? * Does he smoke? * Does he drink? * Is he married to the one who is pregnant? Just thinking ... HMMMMmmmmmmmmm..........
As a small busines owner, I had budgeted six slots for part time employees in January for FY2008. With past overtime and future work projections and the recent increase in minimum wage, I will exceed my projected 2008 budget for part time help before the end of September. At that time I will be forced to terminate two of my part time workers. I'm not a evil business owner, I just can't afford to feed my family and those of my with the increase in cost to me without an appropriate increase in revenue. Those two employees wish to thank you for your support for the increase in my cost and the total decrease in their wages. It's not personal. It's business. I'm sure that is a topic your socialist mindset couldn't possibly understand.
Let me get this straight, 18 Year-old Jason Willis chose not to finish high school and father a child without the means to support it, and we're all supposed to pay more for our tacos because of those poor decisions? No thank you.
You don't make the case for increasing the minimum wage by using the likes of Jason Willis. Folks that are unmarried, living at home, and unable to be employed at anything but the minimum wage shouldn't be starting families. Behavior like that insures that Jason will remain among Georgia's "working poor" the rest of his life.
Why is somone only making minimum wage trying to raise a family?
Brilliant! Let's pay teenagers $7/hr to flip hamburgers. If you are trying to support a family of four on minimum wage, you are a loser, plain and simple. Minimum wage causes inflation (e.g. when burger joints have to pay kids $7/hr to flip burgers, they're going to have raise the price of the burgers to compensate) which effects all of those who don't make minimum wage.
Why is someone only making minimum wage trying to raise a family?
"How am I supposed to make a living making $6.55 an hour?" he said. You're not! Finish your education, find a job that you can be successful in and move up. It is a minimum wage job for a reason. It is just an entry level job for those with minimal skills. Gain more skills, get more money. Simple.
MR. willis should have considered the consequences of minimum wage before he dropped out of high school and made a baby!
Raise the minimum wage- Jason couldn't afford condoms!
"I can't even move out of my mama's house, and I got a child on the way," Willis said. Is there any need to say anything further? Hello how about not having kids until you finish college and then get a job that pays more than minimum wage. Where is it in the constitution the federal government is responsible to pay you enough to raise a kid you could not afford in the first place. This is liberalism in it's classic form
Too bad the person who wrote this article doesn't understand basic economics. Companies won't pay more than the people are worth - and the result is fewer jobs at that level. Evidence: they raised the minimum wage in July, and reports have confirmed that this year there were the fewest number of jobs available and teenagers working since 1980. DUHH! And for the person that was interviewed that works at Taco Bell - don't have children if you can't afford to raise them! Personal choices make people poor...not the lack of a higher minimum wage.
Raise the minimum wage and either we raise prices or lay people off. A minimum wage increase does nothing to bring in more business.
You have GOT to be kidding me. I LOVE that statement "How am I supposed to MAKE A LIVING making 6.55 an hour?". HEY, you IDIOTS: The minimum wage was not designed to LIVE ON. It's a transitional wage until you are able to be a do BETTER. You smooth-brains don't even realize that by forcing employers to pay people MORE than they are WORTH, you force many small businesses to either lay off workers they can no longer afford OR just shut their doors and go out of business. You are so steeped in your liberal ideology that even the OBVIOUS escapes you. Please do us all a favor and do NOT vote, much LESS continue to reproduce.
Since the minimum wage seems to bear no relation to productivity or the utility of the work performed, why not make the minimum wage $100 per hour? That way, young Mr. Willis can get his GED (he should have graduated with his class), take care of his baby (WHAT? If he'd graduated with his class he might have learned about condums or abstinance or responsibility) and have money to move out of his poor old mom's house. Of course, he'll have to find someone to employ him for that $100/hr minumum wage job and if he finds it, he'll have to fight to get it because there'll be about seven to ten 'minimum wage' jobs available in the state if that happens. Are we all turning into complete idiots to even give this young man or this 'problem' any ink? Jobs belong to employers...talent, knowledge and a good work ethic belong to the people. They need each other, but when government steps in to un-balance the situation, nothing good ever follows.
Why no comments posted, are they all negative pointing out the fallacy of this gentleman's point?
Why stop at $8/hr. Who can raise a family on $8/hr The minimum wage should be at least $16.50/hr so that all of these people can afford to have more children and go to Technical College to get their GED's
The minimum wage is not designed to raise a family on. If Jason Willis is a high school dropout who is living with his mother and only has the job skills to earn minimum wage, why is he having a child he can't support? I am sick of people making poor life decisions and then expecting me to pay for it. Personal responsibility no longer exist in this country, and electing Barack Obama is only going to make it worse. What has happened to our country???
"I can't even move out of my mama's house, and I got a child on the way," Willis said. If you can't earn more than the minimum wage, then what the heck are you doing having a child?
Minimum wage is for part-time entry level workers and not people with a family. He is 18 and working on GED. What kind of job do you think a person can get without an education and college degree. And the idea that increasing minimum wage only affects 119,000 workers need to look at union contracts where when minimum wage goes up so do their salaries. A little quote to sum up, "Luck is being prepared when opportunity presents itself." Arthur Unknown
Moronic. If McDonalds has to pay their workers more, they have to charge more for their goods. Same with every other place that hires minimum wage workers. Every time the minimum wage goes up, everything else goes up too. Do you really think the big companies are going to just lose the money? Or, do you think it more likely that they will pass those costs on to the consumers. Every time the minimum wage goes up, the effective salaries of the rest of us goes down. The cure is- stay in school (G.E.D.) and don't have a kid at 18. Condoms are a lot cheaper then a child. I guess the politicians have found a way to buy the votes of the common man.
What is Jason Willis doing starting a family that he cannot afford? I guess us taxpayers who waited will be stuck with the bill. Thanks Jason!
"I can't even move out of my mama's house, and I got a child on the way," Willis said. When will people learn that you shouldn't have babies if you can only earn minimum wage?
Why is it that the media has not made the connection of the dearth of minimum wage jobs to the recent increase of the minimum wage? Why is it that they are able to make the connection to the idea that higher fuel prices will make people drive less, but that higher wages to low-to-no skilled workers will make employers hire fewer of them? I guess they don't teach these simple concepts in jouranism school either.
He is 18, works at Taco Bell, lives with him Mom, and he gets a girl pregnant?!? What the heck is he thinking?!? The issue here isn't about minimum wage, it is about the horrible judgement of this kid. No government program will help judgement like this. There is only so much the government can do. Ultimately it is up to the individual to make smart and responsible decisions. It wasn't until I was over 30 did I decide I was financially comfortable enough, and mature enough to have a child, and support it the way I felt my child deserves. I would never put my child through the kind of life he would have had if I decided to do something stupid like knocking a girl up while I worked at Pizza Hut in high school.
That's unbeleivably inaccurate. Keep raing the minimum wage. I just layed off two workers at my manufacturing plant the last time it went up. I can only pay so much for someone to seep the floor around here. I hired them both in compassion, they needed work and Igave it to them. Ddin't NEED either of them. Now, I can't afford compassion.
question for Jason - what are you doing having a "child on the way" while only 18, still living at home, and still in school???
Quit knocking up your girlfriend, finish school, and then you will improve.
An 18-year old is making $ 6.55 with a baby on the way. No minimium wage law can make up for his poor decision making.
Perhaps Mr. Willis should have given some thought to his financial situation before he got someone pregnant. The minimum wage was never meant to be a "living wage." Those who work hard and deserve more get more. Stay in school, get a decent job and then start your family. As Mr. Armstrong says, another increase will affect many more people. Did you happen to notice the rise in unemployment when the latest increase went into effect? Minimum wage increase only hurt the economy.
If the young 18 year old wants more money then he needs to get another job. Also he should have thought about the consequences of not using birth control until he can earn enough to raise a family. Another thing is why couldnt he finish high school instead of trying to get a GED
The new minimum wage is already partially responsible for an increase in the unemployment rate. How high do you want unemployment to go? Bottom line is, the government should not be interfering in the contract between an employee and his employer. If the job is not worth paying someone $6.55 an hour for, the job will disappear. My advice to those in minimum wage jobs... 1. If possible, get an education. 2. If you can not get an education for whatever reason, go to your minimum wage job, show up on time every day and work your rear off. If you do that, you will move up. If you can't do one of those two things, why should I have to pay for you? By the way, I didn't say it was easy, but its what I did.
"I can't even move out of my mama's house, and I got a child on the way," Willis said. "How am I supposed to make a living making $6.55 an hour?" he said. Willis shouldn't be having a child at his age, income, etc. If he had stayed in school and graduated, getting a GED would not be an issue. He is poor because he keeps making bad decisions....yet it is his employer's fault.
If the young man had studied while in school maybe he would have a better job. Why is he having children when he can't even afford to live by himself?
Why not just make the minimum wage $20.00 or $30.00? That would raise everyone out of poverty wouldn't it? C'mon, the minimum wage is nothing but a pawn for unions upon which to base wage contracts. Anyone who earns the minimum wage for longer than three months doesn't have enough sense to make more money.
If you really wanted to move out of your momma's house and take care of your family, find a better job than Taco Bell.
this article is probably the best argument AGAINST raising the minimum wage I've seen in some time. actually, it makes a pretty good case for ABOLISHING the minimum wage entirely.....let employers pay people what they are worth.
The minimum wage should never be associated or turned into a "Living Wage". I the 5th para, Jason Willis admits that his choices in life were not the smartest. A. He did'nt complete High School. B. he broght a child into the world he could not afford to support. The jobs belong to the employers, not the government, or the people whining about their plight because they were lazy or made bad choices in life. (At least he's still trying for his GED. That was one correct choice.)
He might have been able to afford condoms if his wage was higher. As I see it, the individuals that the business hired agreed to the wage for the position that they had available. So what is this kid complaining about? He has the ability to find a job that has a higher wage.
To the Taco Bell employee: You work at Taco Bell! You are not supposed to make a living like that. For most intelligent people they realize that is just a beginning step. That type of job is best for High School kids or retirees trying to make extra money. You don't take that sort of job as a career move unless you plan to move to management or own your own franchise someday. It's not our fault you are an idiot! Now to the author: All you do when increasing the minimum wage is drive up costs for employers. They only have several options; Cut costs elsewhere (cut health ins, benefits etc.), pass cost on to product (higher prices - inflation), cut jobs, shut down your business. Just because you mandate someone pays more does not mean that they can. I have been there. I saw the jobs go away. This is all a ploy to get Union workers a forced pay hike as their pay is tied to the minimum. You are all going through life with blinders on. You hurt us all with your actions. You don't like your pay, get an education, get a better job, start your own business. Don't try to take it from everyone else! Idiots!!!
Raising the minimum wage also increases the unemployment rate! I dont know why people can't make that connection! Get a better example, than this idiot with kids he cant afford, highschool dropout, taco bell worker!! Also, your author is ignorant. Make them do some research before they write this drivel.
The only entity that benefits from raising minimum wage is the government who have more to tax. You get a bump in salary at minimum wgae and within 3 months all that 'Extra' buying power is gone as prices increase to compensate.
You are NOT SUPPOSED to make a living off of minimum wage! That's like STARTING wage, not LIVING wage! People get raises later you know. This is nothing but support of UNIONS! They are the others that Jake speaks of. Their wages are tied to minimum wage. So a vote for higher minimum wage, is a vote or higher UNION WAGES!! They are already high enough! What liberal pap......
Reading the comments, I hope Jake feels like a fool for writing this crap.....
Why is a moron like Jason who is obviously not capable of earning more than minimum wage allowed to reproduce?
18 years old, lives with mama, child on the way and a HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT. Jason I have to be blunt.....YOU ARE A LOSER!
Why do we have to limit the minimum wage to $8/hr.? Why not raise it to $25 or $50? But then, you say, the business wouldn't be able to afford it... Well, golleee! And then they might have to lay off people... Gee whiz, I didn't know that. Wake up, people! Higher minimum wages must be paid by someone. If you're the owner of a small business, you must then decide between keeping your business healthy, or laying off one of your workers -- not really a tough choice! If you want to earn more money, get off of your duff and learn new skills. The opportunities are there.
"child on the way" - That says it all.
He should have thought about that before leaving school and knocking up his girlfriend. Minimum wage jobs are the start of the ladder. THey are not meant to live on. Raise the rate and others will be out of work in most small businesses.
Jason admits that he has a roof over his head and is able to meet all his expenses with some left over. What's the problem? Does he have a cell phone? Does he eat out? Does he wear the latest fashions? Can he trade down to a less expensive vehicle? I'm sure there are enough hours in the day for him to take another job, maybe even two other jobs. At 18, he should have the stamina to work two jobs. I'm 46 and I work two jobs so I can finish my college degree and get a better paying job. Jason, the Army and military branches are always hiring and pay better than minimum wage. You'll also get great benefits for your child, such as free medical care. They may require at least a GED but you should be finished with that in no time if you're dedicated. You'll learn a trade and get lots of experience. It's no walk in the park but nothing worthwhile ever is.
What about the 3 out of 10 people that have to be let go to pay the increased min. wage to the rest? And what in the h#ll is Willis doing having a kid when hes only making $6.55 an hour?He'll be living with his mamma and sponging of the taxpayers the rest of his life with his kid.What an idiot.
If the government is so interested in making sure that the poor have more money, why not try a different approach. Why not lower or eliminate the payroll tax or the income tax? Wouldn't that leave the working poor with more money to spend, that didn't effect overhead for the businesses? It seems like a win, win solution to me. By the way, how many of you truly believe that one cent of Jason's hard earned minimum wage will go towards his future child?
The minimum wage was never meant to feed a family. It is used to pay workers with no experience as they enter the job market. If Jason Willis has a child on the way and has only the job skills available to earn minimum wage, that is HIS fault. The small business owners that this will hurt will simply lay off, not hire, or cut back hours to maintain their business costs.Why is it liberals always assume a business owner is just an endless supply of money waiting to be spent at governments on whims. Hey Jason, go with one less gallon of gas and buy some condoms.
Anybody who only makes minimum wage is a good example of why liberals should not be allowed to educate our children or produce any of their own.
To all you silly liberals, try being generous with your money not mine
OK...let me get this straight...poor jason willis quit high school, lives with his mom, doesn't have a GED, AND has a child on the way!? And this is a good reason to quell small business hirings by raising the minimum wage? Are you kidding me? Ol' jason has made his bed. Now he is lying in it. Poor, poor Jason. OK, I'm done now. Oh, wait...there are a bunch of replies like mine. Nevermind. OK, on to the next stupid, liberal excuse story...
The min wage is not the problem here. If the best you can do is work at Taco Bell and have yet to finish high school at 18, you have no business having a child much less crying about the min wage. The is the perfect example of a sob story- that no really feels sorry for. What a waste of an existence.
You get paid what you are worth!!! How much education does a person need to have work at Taco Bell????? Jason doesn't even have a GED.... and the Education in this country is covered under the state and local tax policy! What a waste of my taxes!!!
I wonder how that guy will feel when he gets fired because Taco Bell can no longer afford to employ him at 8.00$/hr.
why not $20 per hour? $50? $1000? Perhaps fed should just print everybody a million bucks or so and all would live happily? IDIOTS
Terrible Idea. The minimum wage should be abolished. Prices for wages should be set in the free market between suppliers and demanders of labor with no government interference. Minimum wage laws create unemployment by raising the cost of employment for low skilled, uneducated workers, the very people that the minimum wage allegedly helps. If raising the minimum wage is giving minimum wage workers a "better" deal, why not just raise the minimum wage to, say $15/hour?
Raising the minimum wage is one of the reasons inflation is so high, along with more wasteful government spending on "social programs" so deadbeats like this idiot can mope around waiting on taxpayers to save the day. I guess Obama will spread his "hope and Change" magic around and save all of the poor people from their own stupid choices. I guess it's all George Bush's fault. You know that there were no dropouts, homeless, poor, or uninsured children when the Clintons were in office. Liberal democrats have done a marvelous job in California, especially with their so called conservative governator.
You do realize that when the minimum wage goes up, everything else goes up. It amazes me how stupid some people can be. Basic economics... Companies have expenses. Labor is an expense. When the cost of that expense goes up, they have to offset it somehow. Usually, by raising the cost of the product or cutting back on the number of employees. Bottom line is they have to make up that money from somewhere. Duh!!!
To: Jason, Please do us and yourself a favor and stop breathing before you hurt some one. To the author: dito
Should have stayed in school and graduated. Should have figured out how to keep the girl from getting pregnant. Should have learned some job skills that would allow him to earn more than minimum wage. Personal accountability is a powerful tool. Use it!
Raising the minimum wage is an excellent idea. When this happens, all the losers with no real-world skills will get canned because their employers can't afford a worthless employee. Then I won't have to interact with these losers on a regular basis when I buy cool stuff with my decent paychecks. I earn decent paychecks because I am a functioning part of society. Yo Quero all the dumb, lazy asses to shut up.
I have a feeling that no matter what....we will be supporting Jason's baby in one way or another...
Ok.. Let's do the math. 337,000 workers will get a 15% increase in payrate when the min rate changes. That would mean that that a little over 56,000 workers would get a 100% change in their payrate to make up for the 337,000 above. Yes, Jason you will be one of the people that gets laid off to make up for the rest of them. Should have thought about that when you forgot the $.25 condom.
UMMMMMM AWWWWWWW gues you should have stayed in school and maybe done something with your life besides getting your Girlfriend in a family way.. Soory not pity party here
Working on his GED, living with mama, working at Toco Bell and a kid on the way. I think he diserves at lest $30 and hour. Each according to their needs. Idiot
Jason, nobody expects you to make a living at $6.55 and hour. That's why you get an education - to develop the skills you need to get a DECENT job. And it's why you WAIT until you make enough to support a family before starting one. Most people know that. The rest of you don't, and that's why you're "poor".
Its a shame that this country compassion for human kind isn't what it use to be...I do understand that education is so vital in our life, but to say hurtful and mean things isn't helping the situation...you never know where your life will lead you even with an education...why not say something that going to help this person , then calling him names and telling him that he shouldn't be having a child, the child is on its way and we all have done things that wasn't so smart...very easy to look at someone else situation and point out all the bad...this is very sad....remember this, what goes around alway comes back,and most of the time it comes back worse then you dealt it....why not show some love to our fellow human being. oh, don't bother to reply i won't be reading it.