Advertisement

Living Wage

Share

* Re “Living Wage Movement Targets County Government,” Nov. 4: The fallacy of a “living wage” is that it ignores simple economics. In a free-market economy, unskilled jobs do not pay as much because anyone can do them.

Put yourself in the place of semiskilled workers whose jobs pay above minimum wage. Perhaps they have worked their way up the career ladder from an entry-level job. Will they be happy when those now below them get what is essentially an unearned pay raise?

Business is right to oppose the living wage. Inevitably it will drive up the cost of nearly everything. Minimum-wage jobs are not supposed to be lifelong positions. They prepare the employee for entry into the job market or the next career step. Want a better job? Get the training, degree, or credential.

Advertisement

RICHARD DEIGHT

Buena Park

Advertisement