Two separate polls showing public support for an increase in the minimum wage.
The first, a Newsweek poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International on Nov. 9-10. N=1,006 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3, showed that 68% feel that the minimum wage should be one of the government's top priorities, 21% felt it should be a lower priority, 10% felt nothing should be done at all, and 1% were unsure.
A Pew Research Center survey conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International on Jan 4-8, 2006, N=approx. 750 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4, showed 47% saying that a minimum wage increase should be a top priority, 34% saying it should be a lower priority, 10% saying it is not too important, 6% saying nothing should be done, and 3% unsure.
Not to be redundant, but I am again baffled by the inattentiveness of the government to this issue. Obviously a majority has expressed concern, so why has nothing been done about it?
It is interesting, however, the way the numbers are distributed. The poor are more plentiful than the rich in this country, possibly explaining why these opinion polls represent a larger proportion of people who desire an increase in the minimum wage. The smaller percentages who see it as a lesser issue are those people making large amounts of money and to these people, a minimum wage is inconsequential.
We have talked a lot in class about the power of corporations and corporate lobbyists, and I think that is probably the answer to my inquiries about inaction on this issue. The stores that employ full-time, low-income workers are frequently big businesses, such as Target or Wal-Mart, and these stores can get quite political with their geographical placement and effect on the economy. If producer costs are already increasing as the economy develops, they aren't going to want the added cost of paying higher wages. The next logical step would be taking the issue to governmental bodies, who then keep any legislation from passing. I know that Chicago has been dealing with some issues with Wal-Mart and Target, companies that are able to put immense pressure on not only local small businesses, but also the city council and mayor. Hopefully our mayor will arrive at a less corrupt decision and outcome than the federal government has.
