Fisking the New Yorker
The Case for a Higher Minimum Wage
Posted by John Cassidy (The New Yorker)
Let's fisk this sophomore effort, shall we?
"Some economists say minimum-wage laws are harmful; others say they aren’t."
Ah, the old 'some do, some don't' dodge. Some say the Holocaust happened, some don't. Who's to know?
Sixty percent of economists believe the minimum wage should be abolished or remain the same. That's the answer to the real question.
"We also know that the U.S. minimum wage is low compared to its counterparts in other advanced countries. In France and Ireland, for example, the minimum remuneration level is more than eleven dollars an hour."
Those advanced countries with the super high unemployment, you mean? This proves my point for me. Is Cassidy new to the New Yorker, or are they letting just anyone post to their blogs?
"If you look across the states, some of which set a minimum wage above the federal minimum, you can’t see any sign of higher rates leading to higher unemployment."
No sign at all, except California, Rhode Island, Illinois, Washington...all having higher than average unemployment and high minimum wages. Then I got bored of researching.
I bet Cassidy never gets bored.
"In Nevada, where the national minimum of $7.25 an hour applies, the jobless rate is 10.2 per cent. In Vermont, where the minimum wage is $8.60 an hour, the unemployment rate is 5.1 per cent."
That's not right-Nevada's minimum wage is $8.25. I can see how Cassidy could over look that detail; it was only raised two years ago. Must be no Internet at the New Yorker, huh? But for those of us with a little Google-fu: The only workers in Nevada who are allowed to be paid $7.25 are the ones who get subsidized health plans. Left pocket, right pocket. Either way, their total compensation for minimum wage workers is high, and that's why there is high unemployment.
The tiny, boutique state of Maple Syrup is a direct analogue of Narnia only.
"Even in academic studies that do show higher minimum wages having a negative impact on employment, the effect is generally a small one, and it is usually confined to teen-agers and unskilled workers."
After all, who gives a shit about poor black kids? At over 22% unemployment, what's a few more gangbangers?
"teen-agers" And what's up with the fetish for hyphens (-)? Is there a quo-ta he has to ful-fill?
"There is no truth in the suggestion that most of the beneficiaries would be high-school kids working at McDonalds on weekends for beer money."
Is that not the prettiest straw man you ever did see? LOL. Beer money. When we all know it is drug money.
There's also no truth that most of the beneficiaries would be bloggers for the New Yorker.
"Raising the minimum wage pushes the burden onto corporations and consumers, and it could also have some broader ramifications."
Like higher unemployment. Duh.
"According to the E.P.I.’s tabulations, 56.1 per cent of those [given a raise] would be non-Hispanic white workers..."
John Cassidy thinks America needs more white privilege.
"When workers are paid more, they tend to work harder, and quit less readily."
When water is wet, it's damp, and that leads to moisture. What the fuckity fuck does this matter?
Mandating a higher minimum wage is a penalty on employers at the point of a gun. That is undeniable. If Mr. Cassidy thinks this is still a good idea, how about I sell his home and give the proceeds to random strangers? After all, they will then be paid more, work harder, and squat less readily.
Buck up, John. Pitching a tent isn't so bad. After all, some people say bathing in the river is hazardous, some don't.