Current Events > If you raise the minimum wage, prices will go up!

(+) Yeah! (+)

By looking at changes in restaurant food pricing during the period of 19782015, MacDonald and Nilsson find that prices rose by just 0.36 percent for every 10 percent increase in the minimum wage, which is only about half the size reported in previous studies. They also observe that small minimum wage increases do not lead to higher prices and may actually reduce prices. Furthermore, it is also possible that small minimum wage increases could lead to increased employment in low-wage labor markets.

https://www.upjohn.org/research-highlights/does-increasing-minimum-wage-lead-higher-prices


---

But prices are too high for the current minimum wage.

---

21WIVES_CHILL posted...

It really boggles my mind when people demand minimum wage jobs to be a viable source of livable income.

I know right? Tehehehe they should all just be rich!! Lol lol lol

---

creativerealms posted...

But prices are too high for the current minimum wage.

You're right, we should continue to allow the value of the minimum wage to depreciate, surely this will fix the problem soon!

ElatedVenusaur posted...

You're right, we should continue to allow the value of the minimum wage to depreciate, surely this will fix the problem soon!

why dont these minimum wage workers all go to MIT and get a big data degree, an internship and write a thesis of social media data mining for marketing?

easy!

---

You know. People have been using that "these jobs will be automated!" Line for over 15 years.
They still aren't automated.
We still need them for our economy to function.
People still hate the workers and think they don't deserve to be able to afford to live.

---

Nothing when it comes to this will ever happen in America because Americans tend to be a bunchy of greedy, money obsessed idiots that only care for materialistic bull shit

---

Balrog0 posted...

By looking at changes in restaurant food pricing during the period of 19782015, MacDonald and Nilsson find that prices rose by just 0.36 percent for every 10 percent increase in the minimum wage, which is only about half the size reported in previous studies. They also observe that small minimum wage increases do not lead to higher prices and may actually reduce prices. Furthermore, it is also possible that small minimum wage increases could lead to increased employment in low-wage labor markets.

https://www.upjohn.org/research-highlights/does-increasing-minimum-wage-lead-higher-prices

Thank you, this is exactly the type of stuff I was looking for

---

If you raise the wages, the number of kiosks increases.

---

lightwarrior78 posted...

And that's what I'm asking: why fight for low need jobs to have higher wages instead of fighting for more opportunity at the better jobs? Signs point to people just want as low skilled work as possible, then get upset when factors push the wages down of things robots or even trained chimps could do.

low need jobs? You mean all the ones that were considered essential during lockdown a while all the office workers stayed home?


---

meestermj posted...

It's really easy to see who hates poor people in this thread.

Yup. It's interesting that I have most the people against this tagged as trumpers.

---

I don't understand why people have a problem with bugger flippers having a decent life. lol

Do they not deserve a happy life because their job is easy to do? Holy shit

thronedfire2 posted...

low need jobs? You mean all the ones that were considered essential during lockdown a while all the office workers stayed home?

Hey-oh

---

Nearly all jobs are classified as 'essential' though

You guys remember when "burger flippers" were considered "essential workers" and "heroes" 8 months ago?
---

Smashingpmkns posted...

You guys remember when "burger flippers" were considered "essential workers" and "heroes" 8 months ago?

i always tell my burrito maker at chipotle they are heroes. Makes them feel good for the day. Doesnt mean I think they should make $30 an hour though

TheOtherMike posted...

That's literally what the minimum wage was originally intended to do.

It was a very different time. Jobs like dishwashers, wait staff, public help, gas station employees etc were all paid under the table and/or thru tips and there was still a lot of apprenticeship going on.

It is ridiculous to ask employers to pay people enough for a car, a family of four, a mortgage + bills for unskilled work. That did NOT happen in the 1938 if that's what your thinking.

Now those apprentice jobs are gone and we are left with "minimum wage" jobs. If you saw the margins for the restaurant industry/retail, you will understand why minimum wage is such a debate. Esp if it suddenly jumps from less than 8 in some states to 15 bucks....it's going to take the market a long time to catch up, factor in complications from Corona virus and you could see the death of most jobs that are slightly above minimum wage like retail management, entry level office positions, etc and burden employees with greater work-loads, making it harder for unskilled workers to enter the workforce.

Add in the fact that a FEDERAL minimum wage is completely stupid, as each states economy is completely different. $15 in Michigan is very different than $15 in LA County. Why this isn't taken into consideration is beyond me.

I think a much better middle ground solution would be make the states minimum wage some percentage of the average cost of living or something, but then that could lead to other problems like industry moving across states or...idk, it's tough.

In only a few states in the federal minimum wage still is still applicable. Even in shitholes like Michigan minimum wage is at least keeping up with inflation.

---

The funny thing is, under a booming economy, most of the stores needed to up their wages to remain competitive on the job market. A lot are approaching 15...

---

Bleuets posted...

i always tell my burrito maker at chipotle they are heroes. Makes them feel good for the day. Doesnt mean I think they should make $30 an hour though

Do you seriously?

They hate you, 1000%.

When I worked behind the counter me and everyone I know who also worked there hated being patronized by people like you. I'm just letting you know---it might be well intended but it makes you seem out of touch and inconsiderate. Just order politely and leave, that's the best thing you can do for fast food employees, especially at Chipotle or Subway or Jimmy Johns where you are standing there watching them make your food.

I just want to let you know. And if you don't believe me, ask them what kind of customers comments are most annoying. That's a question we actually love to answer.

---

coolcono posted...

The funny thing is, under a booming economy, most of the stores needed to up their wages to remain competitive on the job market. A lot are approaching 15...

^^ Mcdonalds and Walmart are duking it out in my town for employees, both start at $12 now and Subway has counter tips + tips on cards to remain completive. The University in our area starts at 11 for custodian staff. minimum wage is 9.50 here. The local pizza shop pays drivers minimum wage (dominos doesnt) but they have to learn to be in the restaurant. All of these places are always looking for help.

I work at an office that tries to get the unemployed into jobs that suit them if anyone is wondering.

---

The only reason people don't want to raise the minimum wage is so that they can feel ok about their shitty job that pays $20/hr.

---

21WIVES_CHILL posted...

It really boggles my mind when people demand minimum wage jobs to be a viable source of livable income.

That is literally the purpose of the damn concept chucklehead.


---

justaguy3492 posted...

The only reason people don't want to raise the minimum wage is so that they can feel ok about their shitty job that pays $20/hr.

You are correct, those people want financial security as they had to start from the bottom just like everyone, to become skilled enough to occupy a position that's double the minimum wage. Why is this not a good thing?

And guess what, it probably is shitty. It IS shitty working at H&R Block and it IS a lot of pressure managing a restaurant and they SHOULD make more.

---

F1areaGaman posted...

You are correct, those people want financial security as they had to start from the bottom just like everyone, to become skilled enough to occupy a position that's double the minimum wage. Why is this not a good thing?

And guess what, it probably is shitty. It IS shitty working at H&R Block and it IS a lot of pressure managing a restaurant and they SHOULD make more.

Sure they can make more based on their value to the company, but the minimum wage should still be a livable wage.

---

Prices will rise no matter what. Raising minimum wage though, directly contributes to this increase - often by more than the wage increase helps.

There is a problem. Minimum wage increases are not going to solve it. A solution is needed, but that isn't it.

---

Just remember your overpaid boss thinks you should eat shit and be thankful.

---

Bleuets posted...

High school kid flipping burgers at McDonalds does not need a livable wage. They are just doing it for fun money so its stupid to raise the minimum wage.

https://www.epi.org/publication/wage-workers-older-88-percent-workers-benefit/

---

tag

---

Trumble posted...

Prices will rise no matter what. Raising minimum wage though, directly contributes to this increase - often by more than the wage increase helps.

There is a problem. Minimum wage increases are not going to solve it. A solution is needed, but that isn't it.

"People don't make enough money, but paying them more isn't the answer." right on lol.

---

F1areaGaman posted...

minimum wage is at least keeping up with inflation.

What lol no it isnt

---

Love how people always have to resort to the absolute lowest common denominator to justify screwing people over. But "kids flipping burgers" probably provided more service to you than some people being paid 5-6 times that making some app that you'll never use in your life. It goes both ways, and the value of service isn't exactly complicated but easily misunderstood.

Also lol that communist comment. American economy runs on a mixture of ideas from both communism and capitalism, always has been.

---

21WIVES_CHILL posted...

It really boggles my mind when people demand minimum wage jobs to be a viable source of livable income.

Yeah imagine thinking a person should be able to support themselves with a single full-time job. Lazy ass millennials!

---

I also have an opinion on this matter!

I actually don't

---

BilalPowell posted...

If you raise the wages, the number of kiosks increases.

Well shit then I guess we should decrease everyone's wages and abolish the advancement of technology.

---

meestermj posted...

It's really easy to see who hates poor people in this thread.

Seriously, this.
---

Shablagoo posted...

https://www.epi.org/publication/wage-workers-older-88-percent-workers-benefit/

I don't know how anyone that leaves their
home can honestly believe the service industry is just a bunch of teenagers earning a little spending money. Having eyes while in a store or restaurant would shatter their illusion.

---

Trumble posted...

Raising minimum wage though, directly contributes to this increase - often by more than the wage increase helps.

citation needed

---

hockeybub89 posted...

I don't know how anyone that leaves their
home can honestly believe the service industry is just a bunch of teenagers earning a little spending money. Having eyes while in a store or restaurant would shatter their illusion.

"But Fox News told me..."

---

Helping the poor = communism to the poorly educated right

---

It's laughably incredible how many virgins living on their parents' rent here have the nerve to talk shit on minimum wage workers like they're subhuman trash undeserving of a stress free life.

---

Maybe don't take out a bunch of debt or have a big family if you have no value to society outside of things untrained high school kids could accomplish.

Just because you fucked your life up doesn't make it other people's responsibility to patch it up.

---

_Squirtle_ posted...

Maybe don't take out a bunch of debt or have a big family if you have no value to society outside of things untrained high school kids could accomplish.

Just because you fucked your life up doesn't make it other people's responsibility to patch it up.

Yeah if people are poor and uneducated, they should just shut up and go away. They can pull themselves up by their bootstraps and create money and time out of thin air.

I wish people would take their masks off and just admit they want us to execute everyone that makes mistakes or becomes a drain, just so that society doesn't need to help members of society. I'd rather have honest sociopaths than bad liars.

---

The argument against a livable wage are so dumb

why dont you be a doctor or an engineer

even if EVERYONE had the talent to have high skilled jobs there wouldnt be enough high skilled jobs for everyone plus they wouldnt be high skilled then would they?There MUST be low skilled jobs purely going by the numbers! Walmart is the biggest employer in America behind the Government with Amazon quickly rising so why should they struggle to live?

minimum wage jobs are for high schoolers

have you walked into a McDonalds lately? There are plenty of people working there besides teenagers

---

lightwarrior78 posted...

The problem is less a minimum wage, but in how people seem to be using it to try to hang on to low skill, soon to be automated jobs.

Why isn't the question "why can't I get a higher paid job" instead of "why can't I earn a living wage ringing up groceries by computer"?

If someone works 45 hours a week as a cashier they deserve a livable wage. Dont disrespect grocery store workers. They do more for people than your average while collar job.

---

hockeybub89 posted...

Yeah if people are poor and uneducated, they should just shut up and go away. They can pull themselves up by their bootstraps and create money and time out of thin air.

I wish people would take their masks off and just admit they want us to execute everyone that makes mistakes or becomes a drain, just so that society doesn't need to help members of society. I'd rather have honest sociopaths than bad liars.

"Boo hoo they don't like my unrealistic, totally delusional ideas I should be as hyperbolic as possible for that commie grifter clout"

---

always find it interesting when people discuss this that they can just rattle off a list of people they feel are "unworthy" of a living wage. maybe you should ask yourself why you hate cashiers or fast food workers so much that you think they shouldn't be able to live off 40 hours' wage a week

---