Argument Essay

648 Words2 Pages

There comes a time in someone’s life when they must get a job to support themselves or their family. For those who don’t have a college degree, a minimum wage job is the way to go. A federal minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly compensation that employers may legally pay to workers. However if minimum wage is so low that someone can barely make an income, to support themselves or a family. Minimum wage is based on federal decisions. Some states minimum wage is more than the next. For example Florida’s is $7. 79 while Connecticut’s is $8.25 per hour. Georgia has the lowest minimum wage which is $5.15. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Minimum wage should be increased because poverty will be reduced, it will be good for economic recovery, and provide more for families. However minimum wage raises are opposed by those who believe it will create more unemployment. About eight million Americans go to work every day, yet they are still living below the poverty line (Camden and Stern). More than one million of them are retail workers. If the minimum wage was to escalate, 734,075 people would be lifted out of poverty. Also the 769,191 people that are living on or near the poverty line would see their incomes go above it by 150 percent. These workers are struggling to provide basic necessities for their family and themselves. If minimum wage was increased poverty could be reduced. Most families are relying on government assistance to provide things such as food by using an EBT food stamp card and Medicaid because they are making minimum wage. Also if a minimum wage worker is only making $5.15 per hour, it will be impossible trying to afford health insurance. Sometimes the benefits workers receive don’t always cov... ... middle of paper ... ...the future. Not only will raising the minimum wage provide more money but the workers can supply more food, be able to pay all of their bills and spend more if the wage was raised by at least five dollars. It could also benefit college students that are trying to find a way to pay for their education. Over 88 percent of workers who would benefit are at least 20 years old and in college (Cooper and Hall 2013). On the other hand, increasing the minimum wage can also cause higher rates of unemployment. In conclusion, minimum wage workers need an increase in their incomes. They need more money to provide food, shelter, and other necessities for their family and themselves. Minimum wage should be increased because poverty will be reduced, it will be good for the economy, and provide more for families. Raising the minimum wage is also about reducing the inequality of it.

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