SOTU (Minimum Wage)

During the State of the Union Address, the president asked for congress to consider a higher minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.  This is an initiative that I strongly support.  Many people have claimed that a higher minimum wage would hurt small businesses, but there's actually not a lot of evidence to support that theory.  I also think tying the minimum wage to inflation is something both parties can agree on.  Even if we can't come together on increasing the minimum wage, let's agree that the minimum wage should be tied to inflation.  I also think even a modest increase in the minimum wage to $9 gradually is something that both parties can agree on.  Minimum wage increases also help small businesses indirectly since people will have more money to spend to buy their products.  Economists also agree that raising the minimum wage reduces poverty.  Instead of talking about something that reduces income inequality, let's actually do something that will have a lasting impact on people's lives.  Unfortunately, 40% of Americans also make less than what the minimum wage was worth in 1968.

Footnotes Obama stumps for minimum wage hike, Small businesses back minimum wage hike - CBS News, Abrams: Minimum wage hike aids small business - USA Today, 40% Of Americans Now Make Less Than 1968 Minimum Wage ...