The Benefits Of Raising Minimum Wage

Raising Minimum Wage Over the past few decades, the cost of living has drastically increased, just look at the changes in prices of commonly bought household items. In 1980, a gallon of milk costs $1.60; bread costs around 50 cents; and a gallon of gas costs a little over $1.20. In 2014, a gallon of milk costs $4.70; bread costs $2.50; and a gallon of gas costs $3.29. The difference in prices may not seem to be much, but these are just a few examples. With the inflation of prices, one would think that the minimum wage would rise as prices did, but it has not. When comparing the minimum wage of 1980 and today, the minimum wage of 1980 is higher. Raising the minimum wage has been a controversy for many of years; but it was not until recently that people started to demand a raise in the current minimum wage. Not only will an increase in the current minimum wage help current tax payers, but it will also help struggling families living pay check to pay check and the economy. Minimum wage came about when President Roosevelt wanted to make wages fair for the working Americans; so in…show more content…
Schmitt writes, “Millions of low-wage workers subsist on the federal minimum wage, which is $15, 080 s year for a full time worker” (Schmitt 9). This yearly income is extremely close to poverty. One cannot support themselves, much less a family with this yearly income.

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