Argumentative Essay On Minimum Wage

Minimum Wage

When approaching the subject of minimum wage increases, we consider the topic to be extremely controversial. Both proponents and opponents argue what impact it will have on the economy and how to bring low-income wage earners out of poverty. Some claim it will have a negative impact on small business and decreased employment rates while others think, it will improve low-income families’ standard of living and boost economy. Increasing the minimum wage assists in decreasing poverty but more support programs are need.

Summary

Michael Strain’s article “Don’t Ignore the Costs of Minimum Wage Increases When Celebrating the benefits” questions what the true benefits are. Strain expresses that although the minimum wage has increased, it reduces the number of jobs available for low-income people. This reduction in jobs is due to business owners need to compensate for loss profit margins. He also explains

that the gains from the wage increase would not go to low income families, but to the families of other income brackets. He feels the true effectiveness is still being determined.
Maurice Jones’ article, “Effects of Minimum Wage Increases Extend Beyond the Law’s Reach” contends more financial education and training is needed to bring low-wage earners out of poverty. Jones theorizes that the boost in the economy comes from low-income workers moving from manufacturing jobs to retail due to lack of jobs. Jones explains that the increase in minimum wage represents a promising start, however there needs to be a more rounded approach to decreasing poverty. He feels workers should have. Jones contends that through these efforts families can help themselves and the economy.
Heather Boushey’s article “Benefits of Minimum-Wage Increases Seem Too Good to Be True, But They’re Not” despites critic’s opinion on minimum and the need to consider statistical evidence that increasing minimum wage decreases poverty. Boushey explains, that skeptics should really look at the possibility that the minimum wage increase may be more beneficial to the United States than we think. She contends that the new minimum wage laws and simultaneous increase of income across the United States is evidence that the increase is beneficial. Boushey also expresses, that with new income statistics combined with a steady increase in jobs since the World War II we are in the proper direction of decreasing poverty in society (Boushey).
Arindrajit Dube’s article “The Tighter Job Market, Along With Minimum Wage Rises, Pushed Wages Up” addresses multiple low-income wage earners living together and corporate companies wage increases. Dube concludes that the decrease in poverty was due voluntary corporate wage increase, low income families consisting of low-wage earners, and change in wages of several highly populated states. (Dube). Those combined seemingly reflect decrease in poverty. The author also contends that corporations, that have predominately low-income employees, fulfilled a key role in poverty numbers. This was done by increasing their minimum wage thus, increasing total family incomes of low-income families

Analysis and Evaluation
Utilizing the Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubic (HCTSR) article 1 by Michael Strain was given a rating of Strong 4.

Strain received a score of 4 is because he “identifies the most important argument (reason and claims) pro and con” (Facione 12). This skill is shown when Strain addresses the statistic on how much money from low wage workers actually go to low-income families. The second aspect of HCTSR used in analyzing this article is rule “thoughtfully analyzes and evaluates major alternative points of view” (Facione 12). This is revealed when Strain agrees with the opposition who state, “advocates of minimum wage discusses the cost of minimum wage being absorbed by decreased turnover rates, higher productivity, and lower profits” (Strain). He then justifies the cost cutting in the following paragraph. Strain explains his research into the same subject of businesses’ withstanding costs of paying higher wages by employing fewer staff. The author utilizes the critical skill of interpretation and explanation when reviewing data displayed in the

article.
By means of the Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubic (HCTSR) article 2 by Maurice Jones is given a rating of Weak 1. This rating was given because Jones dismisses other minimum wage claims of success regardless of evidence and continues to voice his opinion. This is shown when a claim of how many Unites States employers have given wage increases and as a result economic growth has happened (Jones par. 3). In the next paragraph Jones states, “nevertheless” and continues with his opinion. Jones then exhibits the criteria of close mindedness under the HCTSR scale in the concluding paragraph. He reiterates that increasing the minimum wage is great, however more needs to be done in financial education and job training to completely get Americans out of poverty. While reviewing the article Jones was found to demonstrate the critical thinking skill of inference when he states, “To climb into middle-class, low-income workers need other supports, too: …“(Jones). Jones lacked the critical thinking skill of analysis and evaluation. When he brought other counter arguments to readers’ attention he swiftly dismissed them and proceeded to his own beliefs without a reasonable analysis.
When evaluating article number 3 by Heather Boushey, she is given a 3 under the Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubic (HCTSR). To derive this conclusion, it was found that Boushey used the HCTSR concept of identifying relevant arguments. This is shown in the quote, “economist caution, however, is that correlation is not causation, meaning that just because the two things happen along a time line that makes sense, it doesn’t mean that caused the other” (Boushey). Using HCTSR scale it was similarly found that Boushey, justifies some results and explains them when she discussed the census bureau’s findings of increased household incomes in 2015. Boushey is quoted as saying, “Given that so many places have raised their minimum wage, this is proof at the very least that policies to increase the minimum wage happened alongside real income gains at the national level (Boushey). In this quote, she is using analysis to develop a relationship between statistics and her conclusion that increasing minimum wage is good. She also uses inference when she states, “-it’s hard to argue that improving the lives of workers is a bad thing” (Boushey). She wants you to believe that the minimum wage increase is a good thing and if you don’t you should reconsider your stance.
When evaluating the final article by Arindrajit Dube, he is given a 2 on the HCTSR. Dube doesn’t provide counter arguments to any of his claims and continuously inserts his opinion on the increase in minimum. He illustrates this when he exclaims his view that the minimum wage increase produces a minor impact on employment while helping in the areas of pay and longevity of staff (Dube par. 4). Dube demonstrates critical thinking skills of analysis when he references his studies, to conclude that minimum wage increases do raise family incomes and reduces poverty. The second critical thinking skill he uses is inference. This is used when he states, “Once some of the recent increases kick in, we are more likely to see a more sizable impact of the policy” (Dube). He lacked the critical thinking skill of evaluation because he failed to provide counter arguments. This would help to prove the validity of his claim, that minimum wage is a good and it is behind the reduction in poverty.
Conclusion
While evaluating the articles I found that all the writers agree that raising the minimum wage represents an encouraging start to helping American’s get out of poverty. However, in addition to raising the minimum wage more programs should be initiated and somehow the money should go back to those who indeed suffer poverty. I believe raising the minimum wage is good for all as the cost of living is constantly rising. But, I also agree with Jones that more financial education and skilled training should be provided to those who live below poverty. This will ensure that they have proper money management and a chance of elevating themselves for better paying jobs.