by Jason Reeves

Created on: June 20, 2009   Last Updated: July 06, 2009

Yes, in order to balance or offset the rate of inflation and to offer those lacking the initiative to achieve a better standard of living, an increase in the minimum wage is a necessary action. For years the rich have been getting richer, the poor seem complacent with welfare, and the middle class is just disappearing along with the integrity of this great nation. This is an issue of great concern due to two areas or viewpoints that deserve our utmost attention.

On one side of this issue, you have the everyday, average American whose pay has become stagnant due to the greed and irresponsibility of big corporations and our elected officials. Sure we call for change and a certain level of fairness. In an already over competitive work force, the ladder one must climb in order to reach a standard of living compatible with modern everyday necessities is getting taller by the minute. An increase in the minimum wage would most definitely improve the imbalance found in what once was the American Dream. But a question that needs to be addressed is: Who is really going to benefit from this increase? The middle class who have worked so hard to earn pay scale and attain benefits will not benefit; simply because only our taxes will increase and the rate at which one with decades of experience advances in any given industry will certainly diminish and the percentage we pay of certain benefits will rise, simply to offset the cost of the wage increase. But an increase in the minimum wage rate is needed even though it will never completely level the playing surface for middle America.

On the other hand, what will happen to the moral integrity of WORK? Where exactly will America get the drive to do better? While the "PORK" of our politicians get fatter along with the deep pockets of CEOs, we in "real-town" America are left holding the bill and leaving the tip as well. This increase will give those with zero experience a pay scale that took someone like myself years of hard work to earn. So is raising the minimum wage rate fair? What does it say about America and its Dream? Sure, these hands are callused and worn but the sense of accomplishment which they have earned is irreplaceable. The climbing of the ladder may be hard and may seem endless but the higher we climb and actually earn our way the better we are and the more pride we have, not only in our occupations but in our very existence as free people. It is our God given right and responsibility to become better, but it is also our responsibility and right to do it in a manner that is respectful to those who fought and died to earn these rights and establish the foundations of freedom around the globe. It is these rights and responsibilities that make America that shining example and gives hope to those who do not have it. God bless America and the decisions that face Her.

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