Why Education is the Real Solution to the Minimum Wage Debate

The minimum wage is a really tough issue to write on. We all are effected by how much the wage is either directly or indirectly. I would like to take a minute to explain my position on the minimum wage debate, and to offer some ideas and thoughts to think about.

The minimum wage hike can be thought about like this inference:

Coffee drinkers are more likely to have heart disease than those who do not drink coffee.

Well if the stats show this to be true than it must be true.... Right?

Wrong...

This is a common case of what we call in philosophy an Uncaused Correlate

The correlation between those who drink coffee and those who have heart disease is drawing a false connection in order to confuse the public (you and me) as to make you second guess that cup of coffee.

But what about a missing variable? What about something that could cause heart disease, and also have to do with drinking coffee?

The truth is, coffee does not lead to heart disease, Cigarettes do.

And it just so happens that those who drink coffee, are more likely to smoke cigarettes.

Ahh there is the problem.... we didn't have all of the information in order to come to the right conclusion!

It's not that coffee leads to heart disease like this example shows: Coffee >>>>>>> Heart disease

Its actually more like this: Coffee >>>>>> Cigarettes >>>>>>>> Heart disease

AND IT IS HERE THAT WE SEE THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM!!!!!


THE MINIMUM WAGE IS EXACTLY LIKE THIS EXAMPLE.

A lot of people say that raising the minimum will lead more people to have greater economic success.

BUT this is wrong!

In fact, the minimum wage increase will decrease money for many Americans, but will also increase the costs of the products themselves.

It is very foolish to think that Corporations will take a loss and say "Okay America, you can have your money and we will comply."

Ha.... If that would ever happen

Rather,

1. it will lay off thousands of hard working Americans by greedy Corporations
2. decrease job opportunity for small businesses that can no longer afford to pay employees
3. Increase costs of products
4. make it impossible for startup businesses to succeed
5. Promote laziness and undervalue education

The solution then is not to increase the minimum.... but what?

FOCUS ON EDUCATION!!!!!

The only way to re-stabilize the fading middle class is to increase the opportunity of education for the poorest of families and those who cannot afford most colleges.

This will lead to more success and motivation for those who wouldn't have been able to afford education the past.


Then and only then will people have the knowledge and skills to succeed and take back the middle class.

So yes....

It may seem like that cup of coffee is causing your heart disease, or that a higher minimum wage will put more money in the pockets of those who don't have.

But as we have seen

There is always more that meets the eye.