In class
before Spring Break we talked about the minimum wage debate and what is
necessary to survive. The rate of minimum wage is currently $7.25 and hasn’t
rose for about five years. The talk is to raise minimum wage to $9.00 an hour.
However, some fast food workers want minimum wage to increase to $15.00 an hour.
I personally think that minimum wage should indeed increase but I’m not sure I agree
with the idea of $15.00 an hour.
I watched a clip from CNN which discussed the
minimum wage debate and the announcer made a good point. She stated that fast
food jobs such as McDonalds are meant more for individuals who aren’t trying to
support a family. Those types of jobs are meant for individuals to get their
foot in the door and gain some type of work experience. I personally agree with
her comment even though I know of some people who are trying to raise families
off of that income. I think it is very important for individuals to
learn from the work experience such as fast food and after a while apply those
skills to other jobs. I couldn’t imagine a lot of people wanting to work in
fast food the rest of their life but I do understand the importance of making
money and getting work experience. I have heard some comments from individuals
about the debate say they are trying to work so they can pay for schooling. I personally
know how difficult it is to work enough to help pay for education and other
essentials such as housing, food, bills etc. There are always ways to get help
to pay for school such as loans, scholarships, grants etc. I believe that
$15.00 is too much of a jump in minimum wage because there are individuals who
spend time to get educated and may start of making right around $15 an hour. I don’t
think it would be fair for an individual who spent time and money in school to
be making the same as minimum wage.
The video clip also talked about the use of more technology instead of
increasing minimum wages. I personally don’t agree with that. I believe that
anyone would be happy making minimum wage verse not having a job. Many jobs
would be lost if technology started replacing people. Since technology is
advancing more and more everyday it makes me wonder what would happen if a lot
of jobs used technology, where would most of the population work. I just wish
people understood each side of the debate because there is a chance that they
believe in $15 an hour but could potentially be out of a job if technology
continues to take over. I do indeed think minimum wage should increase some to
help with poverty but not as high as others think.
While I definitely agree that a job like one working at McDonald's is ideal for gaining work experience, I also believe that there are occasionally times when a person that has a family has to use a job like that to make ends meet. It isn't always easy to find a good, well paying job and they have to use fast food industry jobs as a fall back. You presented your arguments very well, though.
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