Almost anything can become a catastrophe
On a recent National Public radio broadcast, Barbara Ehrenreich, journalist and author of Nickel and Dimed and the new book Bait and Switch, and William Spriggs, senior fellow at the Economic Policy Institute, examine raising the minimum wage. Some have suggested that’s a logical first step toward change in the poverty and class division crisis highlighted by Hurricane Katrina.Ms. Ehrenreich pointed out that if you’re making minimum wage, almost anything can become a catastrophe. If you get sick, losing one day’s pay could be the difference between being able to pay the rent and becoming homeless.
Listen here.
Thanks to The Wretched of the Earth for the link.
posted by Jacqueline Dowd @ 2:04 PM
4 Comments:
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Nickel and Dimed is a great book!
I don't completely agree with the idea of increasing the minimum wage because I don't think it will work. Mandated higher wages will result in increased prices which will reduce the buying power of those wages.
Rather, I think we should focus on providing citizens with ample affordable housing, subsidized child care, and quality education. And tax cuts should be provided ONLY to those employers who provide adequate health coverage for their workers and their families.
"Nickle and Dimed" is on the reading list for my Homelessness and Legal Advocacy Clinic at Florida A&M College of Law.
I just finished reading this book. It is very eye-opening. I also posted about this same subject. However, unlike Bob, I think minimum wage should go up. (Yes, I realize the consequences.)
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