In 1998, proponents erred when arguing that passage of Initiative 688, the nation’s highest minimum wage, would lift low-wage earners from poverty.
Minimum wage proponents claim taxpayers subsidize low wages through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps.
Proponents say minimum wage increases will decrease SNAP use.
From 1984-1998, Washingtonians SNAP use was lower than the national average, according to the Freedom Foundation.
Starting in 2008, SNAP use in Washington has exceeded national average use.
Washington’s job growth rate for least skilled employment surpassed average U.S. employment and non-farm job growth until 1998.
Since the 1998 minimum-wage hike, jobs for Washington’s accommodation and food service jobs have declined 5.7 percent, according to the Freedom Foundation.
Economist Thomas Sowell explains that 1930 marks the last higher employment rate for black than white workers.
Since passage of the Davis-Bacon Act (1931) mandating the first minimum wage protecting unions from black workers’ competition (unions prohibited black membership), blacks’ unemployment percentage has exceeded whites’.
Since 1966, black youth unemployment is nearly double white youths’ unemployment, according to the Pew Research Center.
Facts are stubborn things.
Feeling righteous about their intentions, progressives’ delusions guide their policies.
Shouldn’t we judge consequences instead of good intentions?
Why do those without the inspiration, initiative, talent and without laboring to provide employment for anyone presume authority to decide wages employers should pay?
Why do these same hubristic masterminds presume authority to decide the wages individuals needing employment can receive?
Shouldn’t individuals needing employment possess freedom to decide the wages they will accept?
Reject I-1433.
Choose freedom!
Susan Shotthafer,
Port Angeles