Excellent economist, read a few of his books for global economics (to meet the BS "multi cultural" requirement.) I also recommend Choice: A Fable of Free Trade and Protectionism by Russle D Roberts. For anyone who wants to begin to grasp economics, or get a eye opening perspective on the subject, its quite accessible to those with no economics education.
And the next question, after you state you can afford it, is will you pay the extra buck for the coffee. There comes a threshold when the "extra" doesn't make it a convenience value. Then the job losses come in to play.[/QUOTE]
So where are the fathers of these children to single moms. Why don't they get a job and support there families. I did, 3 children making $8 an hour. Yep every Wednesday by noon I had my 40 in and I worked 6 days a week. Lucky me right . Then I got a raise to $9 and had number 4. Even luckier. It can be done. I moved to where there was work. Same thing responsible parents have been doing for centuries. Now days it seems more people expect a hand out instead of a hand up. "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for life." How many restaurants have you seen that don't have counter help anymore. You use a keypad to punch in your order. Automation. On the horizon. Star Trek replicators. Hot steamy cup of Earl Grey please. With no employees, no minimum wage required.
What I think some people get confused about is we'll hey, if min wage goes up then maybe my non min wage job will go up too. This however is not the case, and the middle class wages as a whole have been stagnant for years. Then you have the issue of going to college and the outrageous cost of that along with no, or low paying jobs. I have plenty of friends who went to college, yet I make more and haven't struggled to find work.
Just going to college doesn't help if you earn a dead end degree. Not much demand for latin teachers these days. I recommend go to a trade/tech school or community college. Find out what you like then proceed.
Even then it's alot harder then many think it is. Then you have those school loans that are due job or not and I cringe when my friends tell me what they owe and what they make.
School loans aren't required. I have a daughter graduating this summer 4year degree. $900 in student loan. She started in a restaurant her first year, now is a shift manager. Great resume. Can everyone do it, no. But most can work. There are so many jobs around. Some people would rather just borrow money and play video games, than get a job and earn a little money to save from needing that loan.
Wait your telling me your daughter went to a University and paid it almost all off working at a restaurant before she could even graduate?
I'd have to say that most kids that get an education at a major college will require more than $900 in school loans, maybe I'm misinterpretating your post. I have twin daughters that are sophomores in high school, I've been putting away money for their education since I found out their mother was pregnant. Tuition costs at Pitt (I live in Pittsburgh, simply using this college as an example) are $20,000 and that doesn't include room and board. Unless they get scholarships (they're at the top of their class), they will be faced with debt upon graduation.... even with the money I've saved and considering the fact that they will likely get entry level jobs while continuing their education. Not making a case for $15/hr minimum wage, just saying that college is expensive. VERY expensive.
