Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
United States Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is well known for her stance on raising the minimum wage. While there have been conversations for years about raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, AOC believes that is still not a livable wage. Instead, she is pushing for $24 an hour by 2025. At one point, she said, “when you take the minimum wage from several decades ago and you actually account for inflation and productivity gains to today, it should really be $24 an hour.” Some economists were alarmed by the hike in price and did not support her views. However, in a tweet by AOC on March 2, she reiterates that paying people enough to live off of should be the absolute bare minimum, and should not be up for debate. She also noted how in foreign countries, McDonald's workers are paid $22 an hour and they also receive 6 weeks of paid vacation throughout the year. We are told that America is the best country on earth, however many Americans live on or below the poverty line because the minimum wage is barely over $7 an hour.
I agree that minimum wage should be raised, but $24? That's a far reach. Right now federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, $24 an hour would mean that its increased by that number time three. I don't believe that is possible for especially not by 2025. I hope there is an increase in minimum wage but not to the point where all business would become bankrupt and cause workers to be laid off work.
ReplyDeleteEach year the standard of living increases as the minimum wage has been static. Minimum wage should correlate with the cost of living. People should not have to work multiple jobs in order to barely make ends meet. If there is enough money for billionaires to exist, then it is perfectly reasonable to ask for a $24 minimum wage.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marie's sentiments! Especially with the recent data saying that the top two riches people in the world could whip away poverty for all Americans. It's ridiculous but serves the capitalistic society in which we live. No matter what, raising the minimum wage is always going to seem "radical" especially for those who hold the believe that they are going to receive less because we offer individuals a fair chance (which couldn't be further from the truth). I have hope that the minimum wage is going to increase (hopefully sooner) rather than later. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this is a minimum wage raise in all states? I think people in all states need a minimum wage raise, but the different costs of livings I think should ultimately determine how much someone in a state makes. $24 minimum wage defiantly sounds like a lot to people in Georgia but it may be what people in a state like California need.
ReplyDeleteThe minimum wage should be a living wage and its absurd that entities like McDonalds and Walmart are subsidizing their slave wages through the state with programs like SNAP and Medicaid. Workers create value for those companies and they should be paid accordingly.
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