As part of his campaign promise to help everyday Americans, President Barack Obama said he will try to increase the Federal Minimum Wage to $9.50 by 2011.
Minimum wage is set at $6.55 per hour and will increase to $7.25 per hour July 24, as part of the last installment of a bill former President George W. Bush signed that increased minimum wage by a total of $2.10 in three 70 cent increments from 2007 to 2009. If Congress raises the minimum wage, it would be an increase of $2.25 within just two years.
“For families that can’t really get a lot of things that they need, the increase will help them a lot,” junior Chimare Eaglin said.
Eaglin works at Sonic and said the increase could benefit a lot of people – especially women. Eaglin doesn’t have a family to support but is aware of those who do because she works with many women trying to do just that.
If she were on her own, Eaglin said the money she earns would barely be enough to support her, let alone a family.
Eaglin approves of Obama’s policy to increase minimum wage, which includes indexing it to inflation and increasing the earned income tax credit. She hopes inflation will not be affected too much by the increase in minimum wage and believes Obama is handling this situation the best way he can. However, she thinks there should be more opportunities for people who don’t have an education surpassing high school.
"It would be a good idea to have people who have job skills, but not the adequate education, have a job where they can support themselves and their families," she said.<br/>Sophomore Catherine Sailler works in Baker's financial aid office earning minimum wage. She said she definitely can't support herself or a family with what she makes, although she does enjoy her job and her co-workers. Sophomore Catherine Sailler works in Baker's financial aid office earning minimum wage. She said she definitely can't support herself or a family with what she makes, although she does enjoy her job and her co-workers.
Sophomore Catherine Sailler works in Baker’s financial aid office earning minimum wage. She said she definitely can’t support herself or a family with what she makes, although she does enjoy her job and her co-workers.
A proud Republican, Sailler said she disagrees with Obama’s policies and believes more people will lose their jobs because companies will hire a cheaper labor force, possibly illegal immigrants.
“Companies won’t want to spend as much money, so they will hire fewer workers,” she said.
Senior Herb Askew works for the Wildcat Café earning minimum wage, which he said doesn't allow him to support himself. He said in order to support an entire family, even with him working 12-hour shifts, it would require a dual income stemming from both spouses. <br/>Askew does not agree with Obama's plan because of the inflation it may cause.Askew does not agree with Obama's plan because of the inflation it may cause.
Askew does not agree with Obama’s plan because of the inflation it may cause.
“We haven’t really seen what he is doing yet, so we are just going to have to wait and see the effects of Obama’s plan,” he said.
