Higher wages will stimulate economy
Growing up, my family was part of the working poor. My pa worked 50-plus hours weekly and used his vacations to paint the house. He walked or bused to work. When he got his annual raise he took it and buried it in the backyard, keeping businesses from getting it!
He reasoned and spent every dime of his poverty level wages for food, clothing and shelter. Gave it back to the very people who paid him. The raise did not allow for family frills like vacations, pension programs or saving for kids' college. It allowed his family to pay the bills.
Being able to pay the bills were our "good old days." Many families today are living the same style of "my" good old days. They are working entry-level jobs to survive. (It's not the good old days when these jobs, unfortunately, are careers - sometimes two of these jobs.) At $7.25 and hour, a worker makes $15,080 a year; at $11 an hour, $22,880 per year before taxes.
Big Business tells the media that wage hikes kill small businesses. Ask the local hardware or lumber store who killed them: Home Depot? Ask former small businesses about Walmart. Big Business swallows small business. Hiking the minimum wage only affects the Big Bottom line of Big Business. Hiking the minimum wage to $11 will not create money hoarding but will stimulate the economy. The increase will go back to businesses.
Rather than ignoring bills, visiting the food bank and the salvation army, folks will spend money at businesses. Those who believe $11 and hour will take money out of circulation may wish to check if they (even) have opposable thumbs. I'm just sayin'!
Alan P. Murdoch
Arlington Heights