$15 Minimum Wage Hurts People, as Democrats Intend - Granite Grok

$15 Minimum Wage Hurts People, as Democrats Intend

Democrat politicians ooze concern for the poor and promise wonderful sounding policies to win the votes of gullible, ignorant, and willingly deceived people.  But, in practice, Democrat policies hurt the people they are promised to help.  The Democrat demanded $15 minimum wage hurts young, uneducated, unskilled, and/or part-time workers.

A recent University of Washington study reports that the increase to $13 on the way to implement Seattle’s (a wealthy city) $15 minimum wage law resulted in a 9% reduction in work hours, a 7% cut in jobs for the lowest wage earners, and an average $125 per month less take home pay.  (http://tinyurl.com/yb9kersz) (http://tinyurl.com/yd9atq62)

Nearby areas, not subject to Seattle’s $15 minimum wage law, didn’t suffer these job losses, business closings, and wage losses.

In 2016, after the New York State’s minimum wage increase on 12/31/2015, 1000 restaurants closed.  The increases in jobs as cooks, servers, and dishwashers dropped from the 4.4% average increase in the preceding 6 years to 1.4%.  New York City fast food restaurant job growth was cut in half in 2016 versus the average of the prior 6 years and is even lower in 2017.  (http://tinyurl.com/y9pzqv7b)

Price increase attempts to cover increased labor costs usually reduced sales which meant reduced worker hours, pay, and tips.  Struggling businesses went out of business; previously comfortable businesses now struggle; and many prosperous businesses are less so.

These are just the effects of the first stage increases on the way to the $15 minimum wage, many more losses will occur with future increases.

Millions of young Americans got their first jobs at places like McDonald’s.  They earned money for needs, fun, college, and/or help family finances; more importantly they learned what it means to have a job, work with others, and provide value to customers and employers.  Older Americans work part-time for many reasons: e.g., to supplement family incomes, to be useful, and/or for social reasons.

The $15 minimum wage demands are destroying many of these jobs.  McDonalds is installing self-service kiosks in 5500 McDonalds over the next 18 month; others restaurants will follow.  Jobs that helped/help tens of millions of Americans are going away, and millions of America’s youth and families will be the losers.

Only four percent of America’s hourly workers earn the minimum wage; half are 25 or under, and 2/3s work part-time.  (http://tinyurl.com/zx6kq6y)  Most workers soon earn more than the minimum wage as they show their value to their employer.

Democrats promise many great sounding policies to win votes, not to help people because they don’t.  The $15 minimum wage policy, like other Democrat policies, hurts poor people, especially young, uneducated, unskilled, and, disproportionately, minority workers.

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