The Benefits of Increasing the Minimum Wage for People of Color

[doxydad]

How much does a full-time worker earning the current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour make in one year? This worker earns only $15,080, which is $4,000 below the federal poverty line for a family of three. Most people would agree that this is not a livable salary anywhere in the nation, especially for families with children. Raising the minimum wage would make a significant difference for all Americans—and people of color in particular; it would increase the total combined wages of people of color by $16.1 billion.

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/race/news/2014/04/21/87248/the-benefits-of-increasing-the-minimum-wage-for-people-of-color/

We need this. We need this now.

[Warpy]

1. Not just people of color. People.

Consider the benefits you haven't talked about like shoring up Social Security so the right can't even pretend it needs fixing. That means old folks who worked all their lives can eat. Or revenue to the local and federal government as people spend more, maybe we'll get some of those roads, sewers, and antiquated water systems fixed. Raising the minimum wage to a living but "thrifty" level like it was supposed to be will have a ripple effect all through the economy and is just plain good sense.

Even the rich, who will get richer a little slower, will find their dividend checks increasing. They'll sob about their persecution all the way to the Caymans.

Minimum wage earners come in all colors and ages. Some are discarded corporate folks with fancy degrees who just got too old to be "cost effective." Some are kids right out of school who are trying to build a work history. And some are people living in terror about how their rent will be paid and what they're going to feed their kids.

They all need a significant raise and they need it now.

[djean111]

2. Yes.