Raising Minimum Wage

“Since January of this year, the percentage of 16- to 29-year olds working or actively looking for work has repeatedly hit historic lows. The consequences of government-mandated wage hikes include fewer entry-level jobs, which principally hurt the young people who need those jobs, particularly minorities”(http://www.cnbc.com/id/101834767#.) I think this is a scary fact, as a young adult at age 18 looking for a job could be harder in the past. Also it allows some businesses to hire employees that aren’t ready. Instead of loosing good employees for more money; this makes it hard for businesses having to continuously compete. “The study also concluded that the plan would increase income an average of $3,200, or 21 percent a year, for some 567,000 workers. The study found some potential negative side effects to the plan, including rising restaurant prices and more manufacturing leaving the city”(http://www.sfvbj.com/news/2014/sep/02/vica-voices-concerns-minimum-wage-proposal). This also raises concerns with businesses in the restaurant industry, because raising their prices might lose customers.  Constantly having to battle with other company’s put the employees in a difficult situation. They have to decide to stay with a company that they’ve been with, or leave for more money but a new business.  But I also believe that people could benefit from this, they might have a job that they don’t like, but finding a job that pays more money that they will enjoy. “Workers whose productivity exceeds that of the minimum wage will earn more than the minimum wage. So instead of hiking the minimum wage, the better course would be to ensure that every American who wants a decent education can get one, regardless of neighborhood or income. That will only occur when poor Americans have access through vouchers and charter schools to alternatives to those schools that have served them so poorly to date”( http://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/columnists/2014/09/02/raising-minimum-wage-hurts-women-minorities/14955629).