In My Opinion: Good Intentions Are Not Enough

Dear Readers:

As this is a state and federal election cycle, it is time for the usual push to raise the minimum wage. On the state level the push is to raise it another $1.50 to $8.50 an hour. The federal level double down with a provision that tacks this to the rate of inflation there-by relieving congress from ever voting on it again, it just would raise automatically. Congress did this with their pay back in January 2008 (when Democrats controlled Congress). They voted to give themselves automatic raises unless they vote otherwise.

STATE PROPOSAL:

Now you may think, yeah, $8.50 an hour is only fair as it costs so much to live in New York. How can a person feed their family on the present $7.25 an hour. Mind you, the minimum wage was never designed to feed one's family. In fact it was so people entering the work force would be fairly compensated as they acquire the tools necessary to make them productive employees. It is also another un-funded mandate on business. Government is telling business what a particular job is worth. This comes from the premise that people crate business to employ people. The reality is business is created to make a profit and it will employ those it deems necessary to reach that goal.

The sad fact is when ever the minimum wage is increased it hurts those it purports to help. It makes those entry level jobs over compensated for what they are deemed worth by the employer. So as the cost of payroll is increased, the amount of employees decreases. Don't believe me? A study by the Employment Policies Institute, based in Washington D.C. reveals that the last time New York raised the minimum wage, there was a 21% drop in hires of 16-29 year olds.

To maintain the ability to profit, business will make those they keep employed do more work or go to automation where possible. They will even outsource jobs to other countries. They have also introduced a new trend, the un-paid intern position. Money will always find a way.

The fact is that those earning minimum wage actually are compensated by the tax payers to where their disposable income is hire than one would think. Those earning minimum wage qualify for food stamps, medicaid and housing assistance.

The biggest boost they get is the "Earned Income Tax Credit". This effectively gives them back in tax refunds the monies they paid to social security and medicare. Both the federal government and New York State offer this credit. So does New York City should one be employed there. If one qualifies for all three credits it is a 30% increase in pay. In dollar terms this comes to $10.50 dollars an hour at the present $7.25 per hour minimum wage.

Profit is not a crime, even though big government groups playing class warfare would like you to think so. There is nothing compassionate about compassion without regard to consequences. Good intentions does not alter the laws of economics. Politicians advocating a raise in the minimum wage want you to judge them on their intentions. Based on the Employment Policies Institute, I would advise you to judge and vote on their results. This is my opinion, you may beg to differ.

Anthony J. Bazzo

The opinions expressed by freelance contributors to PennySaver Community do not necessarily reflect those of PennySaver Community or its parent Chase Media Group.

To read more Bazzo, go to PennySaverCommunity.com, where you can submit responses to his opinions and post your own comments

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Dear Readers:
It has come to my attention the difficulty in posting a comment on this blog. If you wish to comment, e-mail me at the link posted below, putting “Manifesto Reader” in the subject matter, and I will “cut and Paste” your comments myself. If you DO NOT wish your comments posted, but just wish to communicate with me, please make your wishes known in the e-mail. LINKS: atom_taxi@yahoo.com(as this a yahoo address make sure you put an underscore (-) between atom and taxi) For immediate reply: atomtaxi@aol.com AT NCN: abazzo@ncnlocal.com ******************************************************************************

SITES TO LINK TO:
BAZZO’S BLOGS

BAZZO AT WORK: A Bazzo Blog:
http://ltpbazzo.wordpress.com/

BAZZOMANIFESTO:
http://bazzman.blogspot.com/

PENNYSAVER COMMUNITY (Town of Poughkeepsie):
http://psctpok.wordpress.com/

OTHER SITES OF INTEREST:

LOCAL NETWORK NEWS (Dutchess County):
http://lnnnow.com/index1.htm

HUSON VALLEY PATRIOTS:
http://hudsonvalleypatriots.com/

ellabellahairclippies: www.ellabellahairclippies.com http://ellabellahairclippies.blogspot.com
ROB ASTORINO: www.robastorino.com
JOHN G. TESTA: www.johngtesta.com
ON TOPIC W/ JOHN TESTA: www.ontopicwithjt.com
CARS & US: www.doverracing.com
THE WINERY AT ST. GEORGE: http://www.TheWineryAtStGeorge.com
PLAN PUTNAM: planputnam@googlegroups.com/
BRUCE APAR’S NCN BLOG: http://ncnlocal.com/index.php/blogs/bruce-the-blog
NORTH COUNTY NEWS: http://ncnlocal.com/
THE JOURNAL NEWS: http://www.lohud.com/
YORKTOWN WATCHDOG: www.yorktownopengov.org
PADAVANO FINE ARTS: Padovanofineart.com /
PEEKSKILL BID: www.peekskillbid.com or www.downtownpeekskill.com
Peekskill Democratic City Committee Blog: http://www.peekskilldems.com/blog *****************************************************************************

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Bazzo 02/20/12