Wages

Joshua Schippe’s letter (May 20) in support of the editorial arguing for an increased minimum wage (“A Decent Wage,” April 27) is a perfect illustration of the ignorance which persists on the issue of the minimum wage. Schippe writes: “My father offered me a job for this summer paying slightly less than minimum wage. I know I shouldn’t complain--it’s the best offer I have right now.”

Schippe fails to recognize that a principal reason why he has only one job offer, and that it is for less than minimum wage, is that the minimum wage inflates the true value of labor and produces lower employment, particularly for those with less quality education, training, and experience.

The minimum wage is a distributional tool created and wielded by politicians which ultimately places the burden of unemployment on those people least able to bear it, specifically, young people, unskilled workers, and racial minorities.

DEANE C. KENSOK

San Diego