Waging War

I've always wanted to talk about this since it happened.

I'm not quite sure if this is as much as an issue as it was when the issue first rose into popularity, but the "issue" (in quotes) of minimum wage has definitely boiled over as jobs that offer minimum wage are becoming more and more frequent among the American public. A lot of the public outcry comes from the actual amount itself: $8.00 an hour in Colorado. Nationally, that is pretty far ahead of the average of $7.25 an hour. To put that in perspective, the highest minimum hourly wage is in D.C. at $9.50 an hour, followed by Washington ($9.32) and Oregon ($9.10), while the lowest is a tie between Wyoming and Georgia: $5.15. In fact, five states don't require a minimum wage at all, allowing the business to determine a wage. Recently, the city of Seattle has experimented with legislation that proposes raising the city's minimum hourly wage to $15.00 an hour. That would require every company within to city to pay each employee at least $15.00. This is what many of those protesting for higher wages, including fast food workers, retail workers, and restaurant workers, are aiming for. These groups have displayed their frustration because they claim that at such low wages in some of these states, there is not enough to make a living and support a family.

Which is why minimum wage will never reach these levels.

I myself have worked at two different minimum wage paying jobs. Thankfully, in my case, minimum hourly wage in Colorado has increased steadily by just about a dollar over the course of a couple years. I can say that in terms of what you're being payed for, it's a pretty fair bargain. Mundane and simple tasks of restocking items, pushing buttons, managing finances, and being courteous to customers. Regardless of my pay in both jobs, I enjoyed and still enjoy working not necessarily because of my pay, but because of some of the experiences I've shared. It's said that a job you never get tired of doing is a career. And as much as I love my job right now, I would never, ever consider it a career option, for the very same reason I feel minimum wage will never get too high:

Minimum wage jobs aren't made to support a family.

What are the three most important factors in looking for a higher paying job? Credentials, experience, and education. Now, let's look at those rallying for a higher minimum wage. Generally, what is their status in terms of these three qualifiers? Credentials aren't often too impressive, unless somehow the applicant had gone from a business level position back into a job that would only offer minimum wage. Normally past credentials are similar jobs that were held before, either looking for a new job or a new opportunity, which was not sought. Experience will normally only raise your pay by a dollar, two if you're really lucky. At my previous job, some of my employees had worked for nearly 2 years in a great position, but they hadn't even had their pay raised to $10. In this case, experience can only provide you so much. But where the pinnacle really shines is in the final category:

Education.

The initial point of a minimum wage was for workers and unions to be paid fairly and not be underrepresented for their hard work. These days, many of those fighting for higher wages say that the national average does underrepresent for how much work is done in some of these jobs. But to be paid more, you need to have more skills that set you apart from the average human being. I admit, and even had someone confront me about it before at work, that pressing buttons at a register isn't even worth $8.00, but the current minimum wage helps those who do these kinds of jobs so we're not paid $1.00 an hour like we should be. By getting an education, investing in a profession, and earning the right kind of degree, a career with higher pay is absolutely deserved. This way, you can support a family. But depending on the bare minimum to get you through your life with a family?

That's what's not right.