The News Tribune Opinion page's recent series about proposals to raise Minnesota's minimum wage was somewhat annoying.
It quoted Mike Hickey of the National Federation of Independent Business who said $9.50 would be, "by far, the highest minimum wage in the country." But the proposed increase to $9.50 would be a stepped increase, as I understand the proposal; $9.50 would be the minimum wage in 2015. The state of Washington's 2014 rate is $9.19. New legislation in other states easily could top Washington's. In 2015, $9.50 will be notable, but hardly, and likely the highest minimum wage in the nation.
Minnesota's Democratic Farmer Labor Party is showing too much restraint.
A $7.25-an-hour wage is an insult, a misery-causing blight on mankind and justice. It is wage slavery and a corporate tax on all of us who help sustain people making minimum wage. It drives property taxes up and property values down. An increase to $9.50 would grow the economy and broaden the tax base. Any politicians who don't understand this do not deserve to serve in any office.
A $7.25 minimum wage drags down the wages of everyone else.
ADVERTISEMENT
For instance, some of the new mines on the Iron Range reportedly pay only $11 an hour to some workers. Imagine that. We Minnesotans are giving up our nonrenewable natural resources for $11-an-hour jobs. Three generations of iron miners just rolled over in their graves. Minnesota should have a minimum wage specifically for mining of $20 an hour. If the new mines pay only $11, the ore can stay in the ground.
Mike Kuitu
Duluth