WAGES: Downside to some raises

There has been considerable discussion lately in the national and local press about raising the minimum wage. I think it is important to point out that raising the wage always benefits the person who receives it, but does not benefit the person who does not have a job because he is suddenly not qualified for the specified wage. It seems to me that the choice of wage is somewhat arbitrary. Even at the wage chosen, a person with a family cannot live. Even at $10 an hour you cannot support a family. This amounts to $20,800/year which is still below the national poverty level.

So if we are going to raise the minimum wage, what would stop us from raising it to $100 an hour rather than $10? It is well-known that the more you raise the minimum wage, the more people are put out of work.

Most people on minimum wage are in a transition job; many in school, or just starting a career. Few people stay in a minimum wage job for long.

The fact of life is that if we really want more income we have to work harder and smarter. Ask your friends how they got ahead. You will find this to be true for them and for others.

By the way this is mainly a difference of philosophy of life such that most Democrats are in favor of raising the minimum wage while most Republicans are against it. So who is the more realistic?

JIM HOLLINGSWORTH

Coeur d’Alene