Minimum Wage Debate

The Great Minimum Wage Debate

The fight to increase minimum wage has long been a battle that has stayed in the headlines, since Congress first adopted the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Minimum wage was implemented to ensure that a minimum standard was established, one that would fairly allow America’s working class the ability to provide for their families (Ehrenreich, 2001). Today the subject continues to be a hot topic, with both sides of the argument having their supporters. Supporters of the increase in minimum wage, believe that the increase would guarantee a fair wage for all, consistent with inflation, and the rising costs of living. Supporters also believe that a minimum wage increase would create jobs, helping to boost the economy, and helping to being the United States out of the recession. Raising the minimum wage to keep up with the rising cost of living, is a vital step in decreasing poverty, and will help provide working class families the opportunity to financially support their families (Marsden, 2011). Those in opposition believe that increasing minimum wage would only put a strain on small businesses, who would be forced to cut hours and even jobs, in order to compensate for the wage increase. The political debate has most recently been in the headlines here in California, where a law was passed, increasing minimum wage by two dollars. Currently, more legislation is in progress to further increase the wage, leading the way for a greater debate of what is a decent wage for those with entry level, minimum wage jobs.

The debate to increase the minimum wage can help compensate for the increase in the cost of living, which has risen significantly recently. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 was implemented to improve the standard of living, while decreasing poverty (Flinn, 2010). Post secondary education has also increased significantly in the past few decades. Education is important for anyone who wants to work, and with the rising cost...