Comments on: Election results: 1.5 million low-wage workers get a raise http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/ Feminist, anti-racist, pro-fat, plus whatever else we feel like talking about. Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:59:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: criscokid http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-201170 criscokid Sat, 11 Nov 2006 07:26:05 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-201170 Personally, I can understand arguments from both sides of the fence on the minimum wage issue. Supposably, raising minimum wage causes employers to invest in more robotics, resulting in more non-skilled labor lay-offs. Conversely, raising the minimum wage gives minimum wage earners more spending money, which in turn, helps the economy and improves the tax base. Since I am retired, the whole thing is a non-issue with me, except for one benefit. I now fall into the poverty bracket and qualify for assistance with my gas & electric bills. So, in esssence, I benefit from the passing of the law without aiding the economy or the tax base. Go Figure! Personally, I can understand arguments from both sides of the fence on the minimum wage issue. Supposably, raising minimum wage causes employers to invest in more robotics, resulting in more non-skilled labor lay-offs. Conversely, raising the minimum wage gives minimum wage earners more spending money, which in turn, helps the economy and improves the tax base. Since I am retired, the whole thing is a non-issue with me, except for one benefit. I now fall into the poverty bracket and qualify for assistance with my gas & electric bills. So, in esssence, I benefit from the passing of the law without aiding the economy or the tax base. Go Figure!

]]> By: me http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200846 me Fri, 10 Nov 2006 05:49:34 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200846 The Nevada referendum was double-edged. Also approved was a measure forcing bars that serve food to now choose between continuing to allow smoking or continuing to serve food. Since the bulk of bar income in Nevada comes from slot machines and video poker while serving food is pretty much an afterthought, a good many kitchen staff and waitpersons (most of whom only earn minimum wage) will soon be shown the door. The Nevada referendum was double-edged. Also approved was a measure forcing bars that serve food to now choose between continuing to allow smoking or continuing to serve food. Since the bulk of bar income in Nevada comes from slot machines and video poker while serving food is pretty much an afterthought, a good many kitchen staff and waitpersons (most of whom only earn minimum wage) will soon be shown the door.

]]> By: Sailorman http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200748 Sailorman Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:25:45 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200748 Do you mean "legal immigrants" to mean "naturalized citizens" or simply "legally in the U.S."? Obviously the latter category can't vote (well, in theory at least), so their views wouldn't affect the wage. Do you mean “legal immigrants” to mean “naturalized citizens” or simply “legally in the U.S.”? Obviously the latter category can’t vote (well, in theory at least), so their views wouldn’t affect the wage.

]]> By: Ampersand http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200737 Ampersand Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:08:37 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200737 <blockquote>70% of the legal immigrants have taken up residence in the eighteen states that currently mandate minimum wages above the federal minimum, states representing only 49% of the nation’s total population.</blockquote> Here's a guess: Immigrant populations tend to be more liberal (although there are some exceptions). Therefore, states which are major immigrant centers - such as New York and California - tend to be more liberal. More liberal states are more likely to raise the minimum wage.

70% of the legal immigrants have taken up residence in the eighteen states that currently mandate minimum wages above the federal minimum, states representing only 49% of the nation’s total population.

Here’s a guess: Immigrant populations tend to be more liberal (although there are some exceptions). Therefore, states which are major immigrant centers - such as New York and California - tend to be more liberal. More liberal states are more likely to raise the minimum wage.

]]> By: Rick http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200698 Rick Thu, 09 Nov 2006 19:55:44 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200698 In all of the numerous arguments for and against the minimum wage. I have not seen anyone examine a statistical oddity. Immigration destinations seem to be correlated with the minimum wage. States with higher than the federal minimums appear to attract higher proportions of the legal as well as illegal immigrants. 70% of the legal immigrants have taken up residence in the eighteen states that currently mandate minimum wages above the federal minimum, states representing only 49% of the nation’s total population. Further, six states have attracted 51% of the total illegal immigrant population even though these states represent only 34% of the total population in the U.S. U.S. employers must pay the minimum wage and legally cannot hire illegals. Maybe the increase in fradulant documentation indicates that illegals are receiving the minimum wage. It is reasonable to believe the illegals are behaving as their legal counterparts…following the money. In all of the numerous arguments for and against the minimum wage. I have not seen anyone examine a statistical oddity.

Immigration destinations seem to be correlated with the minimum wage. States with higher than the federal minimums appear to attract higher proportions of the legal as well as illegal immigrants.

70% of the legal immigrants have taken up residence in the eighteen states that currently mandate minimum wages above the federal minimum, states representing only 49% of the nation’s total population.

Further, six states have attracted 51% of the total illegal immigrant population even though these states represent only 34% of the total population in the U.S.

U.S. employers must pay the minimum wage and legally cannot hire illegals. Maybe the increase in fradulant documentation indicates that illegals are receiving the minimum wage.

It is reasonable to believe the illegals are behaving as their legal counterparts…following the money.

]]> By: Steve http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200459 Steve Wed, 08 Nov 2006 23:45:34 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200459 Minimum wage is best left to the states. Where the economy is hot and growing raise the minimum wage. Where it is not so hot leave it be. Minimum wage is best left to the states. Where the economy is hot and growing raise the minimum wage. Where it is not so hot leave it be.

]]> By: Agnostic http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200394 Agnostic Wed, 08 Nov 2006 18:48:02 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200394 While I'm not sure about raising the minimum wage per se, indexing to me makes perfect sense. If you're going to have a minimum wage, it shouldn't have stealth planned obsolescence built into it. While I’m not sure about raising the minimum wage per se, indexing to me makes perfect sense. If you’re going to have a minimum wage, it shouldn’t have stealth planned obsolescence built into it.

]]> By: vegankid » Blog Archive » some election news http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200393 vegankid » Blog Archive » some election news Wed, 08 Nov 2006 18:43:19 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200393 [...] Dems take the House. 1.5 million low-wage workers get a raise. Oregon votes against forced parental notification and a 48-hour waiting period before getting an abortion. South Dakota voted against an abortion ban. [...] [...] Dems take the House. 1.5 million low-wage workers get a raise. Oregon votes against forced parental notification and a 48-hour waiting period before getting an abortion. South Dakota voted against an abortion ban. [...]

]]> By: ScottM http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200387 ScottM Wed, 08 Nov 2006 18:37:46 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200387 I do like the indexing-- I know that requesting indexing was what derailed California's minimum wage increase. The not having to fight it again and again would be a huge plus. I do like the indexing– I know that requesting indexing was what derailed California’s minimum wage increase. The not having to fight it again and again would be a huge plus.

]]> By: Ampersand http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200380 Ampersand Wed, 08 Nov 2006 17:26:47 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200380 <blockquote>I can’t help but wonder people like Pelosi and John Kerry are in favor of raising the minimum wage when study after study concludes that any increase bigger than a couple of points causes unemployment and results in a net loss for low-income workers.</blockquote> Actually, that's not true. Most recent studies, <a href="http://www.nber.org/papers/W6386" rel="nofollow">such as this one</a>, have found that raising the minimum wage has little or no impact on unemployment. In particular, studies based on empirical data tend to find that the minimum wage doesn't affect unemployment. So what studies are you referring to? Got any cites? Finally, I don't see how it's possible for a minimum wage to both be a net loss for workers, and to provide a big revenue boost for the federal government.

I can’t help but wonder people like Pelosi and John Kerry are in favor of raising the minimum wage when study after study concludes that any increase bigger than a couple of points causes unemployment and results in a net loss for low-income workers.

Actually, that’s not true. Most recent studies, such as this one, have found that raising the minimum wage has little or no impact on unemployment. In particular, studies based on empirical data tend to find that the minimum wage doesn’t affect unemployment.

So what studies are you referring to? Got any cites?

Finally, I don’t see how it’s possible for a minimum wage to both be a net loss for workers, and to provide a big revenue boost for the federal government.

]]> By: Christopher http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200371 Christopher Wed, 08 Nov 2006 16:06:43 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-200371 I can't help but wonder people like Pelosi and John Kerry are in favor of raising the minimum wage when study after study concludes that any increase bigger than a couple of points causes unemployment and results in a net loss for low-income workers. I think there are three reasons. They know a minimum wage hike appears to help low-income workers. They know that anyone who is left unemployed by the increase probably won't be able to trace their joblessness back to the candidate. They know that raising the minimum wage provides a big revenue boost for the federal government and makes balancing the budget easier. I can’t help but wonder people like Pelosi and John Kerry are in favor of raising the minimum wage when study after study concludes that any increase bigger than a couple of points causes unemployment and results in a net loss for low-income workers.

I think there are three reasons. They know a minimum wage hike appears to help low-income workers. They know that anyone who is left unemployed by the increase probably won’t be able to trace their joblessness back to the candidate. They know that raising the minimum wage provides a big revenue boost for the federal government and makes balancing the budget easier.

]]> By: Shiny Ideas http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-270445 Shiny Ideas Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-270445 <!--%kramer-pre%-->Very good<!--%kramer-post%--> Very good

]]> By: Tailrank - Top News for Today http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-270444 Tailrank - Top News for Today Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/11/08/election-results-15-million-low-wage-workers-get-a-raise/#comment-270444 <!--%kramer-pre%--> [IMG] Election results: 1.5 million low-wage workers get a raise <!--%kramer-post%--> [IMG] Election results: 1.5 million low-wage workers get a raise

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