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Do You Support Bernie Sanders' Proposal For a $17 Minimum Wage?
Sharon Nix & Liberty Surveys
December 21, 2023
Do You Support Bernie Sanders' Proposal For a $17 Minimum Wage?
Here’s the Scoop
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has ignited a heated debate with his proposal to incrementally increase the federal minimum wage to $17 by 2029. This bold plan, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), would significantly reduce poverty, lifting 400,000 people out of impoverished conditions. However, it comes with a stark trade-off: the potential loss of approximately 700,000 jobs across the economy.
This proposal marks a dramatic shift from the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, which has not seen an increase since 2009. Sanders, a long-time advocate for a higher minimum wage, argues that $17 is a necessary adjustment considering the high inflation and the diminished purchasing power of the current wage.
“The federal minimum wage has lost nearly 30% of its purchasing power since it was last raised in 2009,” according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Yet, the CBO’s analysis reveals complex economic implications. While the plan would boost wages for millions – “8.9 million workers whose wages would otherwise be below $17 per hour would be directly affected” – it also warns of a larger budget deficit, with an increase of nearly $60 billion over the next decade.
Critics of the proposal contend that such a significant wage increase could lead to reduced employment opportunities, particularly for lower-skilled workers, and might fuel further inflation. This debate touches on fundamental economic issues: the balance between fair wages and job availability, and the role of government in mandating wage standards.
As this topic garners national attention, we turn to you, our readers: Do you support Bernie Sanders’ proposal for a $17 minimum wage? Is this an essential step towards economic fairness and combating poverty, or does it risk exacerbating unemployment and inflation?
Your voice is crucial in this debate over the future of America’s workforce and economic health. Vote now and share your perspective on one of the most significant economic policy questions of our time.