Need jobs, not raises

Raising the minimum wage will not provide jobs but outlaw more of them. By costing business owners more money per employee, they must look for ways to reduce costs. One way of achieving savings is through automation.

Automation is already present. ATMs, airport kiosks and self-checkout at Albertsons, Home Depot and Wal-Mart to name a few. By using machines, the business saves money and requires fewer employees.

America’s poor need jobs, not a raise. A majority of Americans in poverty don’t work and won’t benefit from a raise. In 41 of 50 states more than 50 percent of the working age population living in poverty are unemployed. A minimum wage increase will reduce job opportunities.

It’s hard, if not impossible to pay all of one’s expenses on a minimum wage job. Minimum wage jobs aren’t the jobs most folks dream of having. Unfortunately, minimum wage laws hurt the people they are meant to help. Low paying jobs permit workers to learn job skills and become more competitive for higher skilled, higher paying jobs.

Drew Ewert

Spokane