A Caring Minimum Wage

Robert Pollin, econ professor at UMASS, is an uncaring prick.

Rightfully, he is criticizing the new Congressional leadership for raising the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour. Contrary to most criticisms of the left's attempt to pay teenagers more, Mr. Pollin would like to see the federal minimum wage raised to at least $10 per hour.

How insensitive! For a bleeding heart, you would think he would care more about the poor saps who have to live on minimum wage. How are people supposed to get by on a mere $10 an hour? As a true proponent of a welfare state, I suggest the minimum wage be $15 per hour.

Wait. I know you're thinking, "Rich, $15 is pocket change to the achievers of big, evil business owners and CEOs!" I hear your concerns. That's why I've accompanied my $15 per hour minimum wage with free healthcare for citizens (and non-citizens) who work (or don't work) for less than $25,000 per year. (Because in NYC, who can afford health insurance on $25,000!?)

"Where's this money coming from," you ask? If we tax the achievers - those who worked hard to get where they are - at around the Jimmy Carter 60% level, we can afford not only the economic fallout from raising the minimum wage and providing free government-run healthcare, but it will give a slap in the face to all those who studied hard in school and didn't get stuck in Iraq.

It's a plan worth looking into. Perhaps then we can expand the middle class, shrink the upper class, and decrease incentives to work harder, take more risks, and make more money.