Should the Minimum Wage Be Increased?
In the United States, the minimum wage is currently $7.25. However, some believe that the minimum wage should be greater than fifteen dollars an hour—more than double the current minimum wage. Although it sounds like a good idea to some, it would be a mistake for the United States to increase the minimum wage by this much. There are several reasons that the minimum wage should not increase. Regional cost of living differences, job elimination, and decreased educational incentives are all reasons that the minimum wage should not be more than double its current level.
Throughout the United States, the cost of living varies widely from region to region. A higher minimum wage would impact people differently throughout these different regions. For example, in New York, the cost of living is much higher than in Georgia. As the minimum wage increases, so does the cost of goods and services. If a particular region cannot support the minimum wage, it could be devastating for the local economies. The impact of a fifteen dollar minimum wage would be drastically different in Georgia than in New York. This would be completely illogical for the United States as a whole.
Another reason why increasing the minimum wage is a bad idea is because it would eliminate jobs in the United States. It would be very difficult for employers to pay a low-skilled worker a high minimum wage. As a result, they will turn...
