I write this to enrich the thinking about minimum wages as addressed in the recent letter “Westmoreland needs higher wages to grow population” (Oct. 22, TribLIVE). I’m a former employer (retired now), and have an economics degree.
The economic argument for not having a minimum wage is, I believe, irrefutable. This letter is for those of you who are shocked and angered by that truth.
The social argument for having a minimum wage is, I believe, also, irrefutable. This letter is for those of you who are shocked and angered by that truth.
Can the conundrum be resolved? I think so — thusly.
Since we are a society, we choose our economics to suit our needs and values. We do so at our peril, though, if we believe fallacious economic statements. For instance, a higher minimum wage, a “living wage,” will bring more jobs to Pennsylvania. It won’t. Yes, it would help people who would get employment at higher wages. However, it would hurt people who are not hireable at the higher wage — and cause a great loss of entry-level jobs. Affected people might be young, inexperienced, lacking the basic math and reading skills needed in most jobs — and life.
We should give thought to a two-, three- or more-tier minimum wage system, in which facts of age, education, work experience, etc., determine the minimum wage to be paid.
Jim Baker
Greensburg