The Minimum Wage Discussion
I may or may not have been listening to Ariana Grande's "7 Rings" in my vehicle the other day. Ok, fine, I was as guilty as O.J. because I was blasting it. For anyone that doesn't know, the song is about being rich and spending your money. It's a catchy tune, the beat is fire, and the lyrics have some great lines. "Whoever said money can't solve your problems, must not have had enough money to solve em’." That line hit me like a right hook from Mike Tyson. I don't have a black eye from it because it was more like a punch to the gut. It made me reminisce of my recent, nightmarish financial history that was scarier than the thought of Cardi B teaching an English class. I'm doing better now money-wise, but not too long ago, I was broke. Like, I needed to save up just to be broke, type of broke. The disheartening thing is I was one of the millions of people in America living in poverty. I'm fortunate I escaped out of the hole so many dig themselves deeper in by the minute. But living paycheck to paycheck is a lifestyle I wish I could obliterate from my mind but will always fail in doing so. That's why when I hear people quickly dismiss the idea of raising wages for the working poor, it has gradually irritated me to the furthest depths of my soul. Society needs to be more open-minded about raising the minimum wage because it can literally save a life. You have no idea how much extra money can help people who are struggling until you've been in their shoes.
During one of my recent trips back home, I caught up with one of my friends from Denver. Upon arrival at his house, his dad greeted me. We talked for a bit to which he asked me how my job was going. At this time, I was still in Grand Junction, working for my first TV station. I told him it was good, but busy like always. "At least you're making six figures," he replied. I responded with a "Rich White Guy Laugh" because I thought it was a joke…but he was dead serious. Six figures??? I was way closer to six bucks or being six feet deep than six figures. I can't go overboard with my criticism of his thinking because there's a strong misconception about TV journalists. You may think it's a glamorous job, and for many people it is. But when you first start, it's the complete opposite. Long hours, lots of work, and low pay. High stress, high demand, and high blood pressure. I knew I was getting into some shit financially when within my first month at the station, someone quit to go work at Starbucks, which paid them more money.
To put my financial situation in perspective would be to breakdown what I was making at that time. Some might criticize my decision to get a job where I did, knowing how much I was going to make before I took it. But I needed a start, and I had to get my foot in the door somewhere. I was a recent college grad, and this was a chance to stay in my home state and not be too far away from my loved ones. Not every opportunity comes with a paycheck, and for some opportunities that do, they don't come with a large one. I crunched numbers so I had an idea of what I was getting myself into. Still, you don't understand it until those paychecks start coming in, and then you realize you can't deposit a reality check. I was hired back in late 2016. I don't recall what my hourly rate was, but I do remember the amounts of my checks and not for good reasons. My first 80-hour check, that had all my deductions like health insurance and taxes taken out was $597. That amount was below the poverty line in Colorado for a single-person household. Then in 2017, the state raised the minimum wage to $9.30 an hour. My checks grew to $623 every two weeks, still below the poverty line. My rent was $650 a month which was pretty cheap. I lived in a one-bedroom house built in the early 1900s. It wasn't dilapidated, but it was in desperate need of repairs. My car payment was $260 a month. I also had a cell phone, internet, and electric bills, along with a couple of streaming services. I took a gamble and chose not to get renters insurance to save money. My parents were gracious enough to pay my car insurance, but everything else was on me. When I paid my bills, most of the time it left me with about $70 of disposable income for 14 days until I got paid again. I also had my dog who needed food, and a gas tank in my car that didn't fill up on its own. Basic hygiene essentials like toothpaste and soap were required. Oh, and I also needed this thing called food. I sure did miss living at home. I found out the hard way how expensive it is to leave the nest, which made me flip a bird to the entire process.
I had a savings account, but instead of depleting that to zero, I knew I had to live frugally. I cut way down on how much I went out to eat. I decided not to get cable, and I spent no money on materialistic things like clothes. Dry cleaning, car washes, and preordering future video games all became a thing of the past. We had a partnership at the station with a local hair salon where we could get our haircut for free. I was about to call to set up my first appointment until I realized I still have to tip. So the question crossed my mind on if I should spend $5 on a tip, or save that for food and cut my hair myself? Like a roofer, I chose the latter (ladder, double entendre. I've been listening to a lot of Eminem recently). Luckily, I paid my way through college and had no student loan debt or that would have drained me even further. Needless to say, I still embodied the phrase "The struggle was real." My parents helped when they could, but they also didn't have a ton of disposable income, and nor did I want to put that on to them. As a grown ass man, I figured I would make it work, somehow. After about a month, even with all that cutting back, I realized I needed a plan b more than a teenager who didn't use a condom.
I got a second job working part-time at a nearby lamp store. I did that for a few months until the owner decided to put me on the chopping block to save money. I pondered doing Uber but found out being a driver wasn't available where I lived. I started becoming so desperate I looked into babysitting even though I'm not a fan of kids. That never panned out either, which I wasn't devastated about. I thought about getting a roommate but concluded being broke was better. Since a second income wasn't coming in, I had to cut back my expenses even further. I turned my heat down in the winter but the place I lived in was poorly insulated. Doors were not sealed properly, the windows needed to be replaced decades ago. Thick, no sorry, Thicc socks were required as the cold air seeped through the floors. Even with turning the heat down, the furnace still kicked on more than I would have liked. I canceled one of my streaming services. I started walking to work a couple of times a week to save gas money. Every time at the grocery store, when I was done shopping, I asked myself, "What can I put back?" Then I got rid of items I felt I could do without. Soon after, I could tell it still wasn't enough. Swallowing my pride became a trend I started to get familiar with because I drove to the local health department and applied for food assistance also known as SNAP. I made a little more a month than what I needed to qualify for it. Then I applied for heating assistance through a program called LEAP. It's federally funded and would pay your heating bill in the cold months. My eyes lit up when I found out about this as I applied at the beginning of December. I had to include my last three paycheck stubs, one of which was from Thanksgiving week which I worked. I got extra money on that paycheck thanks to holiday pay. Thinking the office would notice what I usually make minus the holiday pay, they would approve my application. They didn't, I disputed it with them but to no avail. In his song called "Rock Bottom" which highlighted his bouts with being broke, Eminem rapped "I deserve respect, but I work a sweat for this worthless check, I'm 'bout to burst this tec (gun) at somebody to reverse this debt, minimum wage got my adrenaline caged." Feeling that same anger, I related to that line like it was family. While I never thought about pulling a gun on someone to reverse my debt, I knew I was going to have to bite the bullet in some form. Tired of taking an L, I turned to Google. A search turned up a place called CSL Plasma. Locations of this company exist all across the nation where people sell their plasma for cash. Plasma is a component of your blood that's used for a slew of medical purposes. I've done plasma donations before but quit because I hated the big needle needed for the procedure, and it was very time-consuming. I was making less than minimum wage when you calculated how much you get paid versus how long the process took. I had a choice back then to stop going, but at this time I felt like my circumstance only gave me one option. My house was cold and my cupboards were as bare as Instagram models. So I swallowed my pride, which unfortunately doesn't make you full, and went to donate plasma at CSL.
I fucking hated going there, but I treated it like a second job. You're allowed to go two times a week because your body needs days to recuperate after it's drained of that plasma. The first donation of the week paid you $20 and the second, depending on your body weight paid a little extra. Then if you went a certain number of times per month, you got a bonus of around $80.00. Doing this meant I would be getting around an extra $300 a month. That's a jackpot for someone living how I was living. Even as an atheist I went religiously to CSL. Equipped with a book in hand I would wait in line to have my vitals checked. Then I'd get seated where I would get sticked with a big needle in my right arm. I would then pump my hand to help circulate the blood which sped up the process. Then I would get the needle removed, get bandaged up, and sent home with the money loaded onto a Visa debit card. I didn't want to admit it, but doing this at least once a week helped my finances. I had some disposable income for once and could go out to eat or do things like play golf every once in a while. My dog needed food? Cool, let me go donate plasma first, then I’ll go to Wal-Mart to get some. My gas tank was getting close to empty? I'll donate plasma first, and then I'll stop at Shell on the way home. I never told anyone I was doing this, well, because it was embarrassing. Add that to the fact when someone would recognize me from TV at CSL, it magnified that shame even further.
I continued to go every week, but I noticed it taking a toll on me. I started to develop this scar on my arm where my vein is. That scar only got worse the more I went. Now, depending on my arm position, you can see the scar which looks like a crater. It's noticeable, so I routinely get asked about it, and the ones that don't say anything probably assume I'm a drug addict. I hate that scar more than the one from The Lion King, and that says a lot. I'll randomly get pain in my forearm not far from where the needle used to go. I think the repeated sticking of a giant needle, and some of the dumbasses that stuck me and missed the vein caused some nerve damage in my arm. Also, the longer I did it, the more tired I would get afterward. After one idiot missed my vein and stabbed my muscle then told me he did it correctly as I sat in pain, I knew it would be my last time going. I left and never went back. I had a credit card with a good available balance and turned to that to get me through the next few months. To no surprise, I ended up racking up a big credit card bill with interest perpetuating the problem. It was a nerve-racking, never-ending cycle of constant bills and constant reminders I had no money. I was exhausted from it all as my mental health was paying the price.
Living like that was driving me crazy. I would have shaved my head like Britney Spears, but I had a job where I couldn't do that. I really couldn't go out and do much because it costs money. Luckily I lived in an area that was notorious for hiking, which is something you can do for free. That quickly became my favorite hobby. But I wondered how people with children could get by on a low income because I struggled enough just taking care of myself and my dog. In 2019, Colorado raised the minimum wage again to a little more than $11 an hour, and my checks jumped to $650. $27 is minuscule in the big picture, but at that time, it was gargantuan. That extra $27 meant I could spend more at the grocery store or not have to sweat getting food for my dog. That extra money helped offset the loss of not going to CSL. It was a significant stress reliever at a time when my anxiety reigned supreme. Then I thought about how life would have been if I was still getting $597 a check? Thanks to the state, I had an extra $100 a month, which again may not seem like much, but to me, it felt like that $100 had an extra zero. It helped make life a little more enjoyable during that time when economic distress took the fun out of it, like changing refund to red.
I think I was able to live like that for a couple of years because I knew it was temporary. I felt by working hard, I would get another job that paid better. That dream eventually became a reality for me, but for others, getting out of poverty is a reality that's just a dream. CSL Plasma was always busy. There were more people in that building donating plasma than the total number of people watching some shows on Netflix. Friends from College…who actually watches that shit!? People needed money, and CSL provided a quick financial boost that was easy as long as you didn't have a disdain for needles. The difference for me is that I no longer have to go. But some people I once donated with are still there, sitting in those same chairs with a needle in their arms.
I don't dislike capitalism. I dislike people who wish themselves a happy birthday on social media, traffic jams, and country music. But hearing people talk about destroying capitalism isn't music to my ears either. Obviously, huge problems exist with wealth distribution regarding capitalism. But it does provide the opportunity to allow yourself to do well financially. The chance to do that, especially for poor people, is minimal. I recently read a book called $2.00 A Day Living on Almost Nothing in America by two professors from respected universities. Not that I needed a reminder that poverty is prevalent in America, but it's always interesting to see how people live when society is working against them. The book followed poverty-stricken families and documented their living situations. It's crazy to think that we live in a place where people have spent $2,000 on a sweater designed by Kanye West that has holes in it, deliberately. It's crazy because some households are living on an income of no more than $2.00 a day. One mother who fell into that scenario turned to selling her SNAP benefits for cash at a horrible exchange rate. Other people turned to plasma donations or got their hands on scrap metal to make ends meet. Some lived in houses with no running water and took showers when it rained outside. One mother sold her child's social security number to a fellow family member who then claimed the child on their taxes to get a bigger refund. Many people went to bed with empty stomachs only to find out there's no Advil for hunger pains. None of these people wanted to do any of that, but sometimes you get desperate in means of survival. There are lots of households living like this daily in the wealthiest country in the world. Hearing about those issues will put your problems into perspective. I vouch to no longer complain about slow Wifi, at least not out loud anyway ;).
Ben Shapiro, a conservative commentator who looks like the virgin in every comedy movie, gave his take on the economy a few months ago that caused some controversy. "If you had to work more than one job to have a roof over your head or food on the table, you probably shouldn't have taken the job that's not paying you enough. That'd be a you problem," he said back in August 2019. While yes, you can always try and negotiate for a higher wage, or turn down low wage jobs, this statement was so out of touch. The standard retort to people who are not doing well financially is to "Get a job" or "Go get a better job" because you're to blame for the position you're in. That can be subjective, but in this book, most of these people had jobs. Wal-Mart associate and a cleaning lady were a couple of them. Some were let go from those jobs for absurd reasons, such as when life gets in the way. They were all low wage jobs, something that you wouldn't choose to work if given a choice. However, some of these people didn't have any other options. Based on skills, schedule requirements, or just being in need of some sort of income, those low wage jobs were all they could get. The thing about low wage jobs is that they typically set employees up to fail. Not only is it low wage, but there's no benefits, no vacation time, no advancement opportunities, or other perks that would make clocking in desirable. Add that to the fact bosses are usually feckless, the schedules are always changing, and your hours can fluctuate at the drop of a dime. According to the book, in no state, does a full-time job paying minimum wage allow a family to afford a one or two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent. So once those people were let go from those jobs they ended up in this spiral of moving from homeless shelter to homeless shelter, where submitting job applications became their full-time job. Sometimes for the poor, even the worst jobs can be hard to get. You then might ask about rental assistance like a housing voucher or public housing? That isn't something you can easily find, and in lots of cities, the wait for that assistance can be years. You then might ask why not welfare? According to the book, out of every 100 Americans, fewer than two get aid from today's cash welfare programs. Just 27% of poor families with children participate in those programs as well. "There are more avid postage stamp collectors in America than welfare recipients" was one line that stood out in the book. Many families believed welfare or some type of assistance wasn't a thing, thanks to how hard it can be to get. I hardly had any food at my old house and still couldn't get assistance. Through their policies and rhetoric, politicians have changed the system over the years as well making it all less effective. It's already hard enough to be poor, but the systems in place to try and help sometimes defeat their purpose.
I know some might say, "John, let's take your situation, for example. You lived in poverty and made it out. If you can do it, others can too." Hypothetically that's true, but it's easier said than done. I was lucky enough to grow up in a good household. Both of my parents were actively involved in my life, and did a great job raising and taking care of me. I also didn't grow up in poverty. That alone put me ahead in society today. Being a white man also helps when it comes to job searches and career opportunities. Statistically, thanks to those aspects, I was bound to do better in society than others who grew up without those same fortunate circumstances.
Some might also say, "Go to school and get an education if you're tired of being poor." Again, hypothetically that might be true, but let's turn to my situation. I had a four-year degree, and I was still making minimum wage! Schooling doesn't equate to making lots of money. Google search how many people have Ph.D.'s that are working as janitors. Plus, if you're already poor, does the thought of trying to go to college to put yourself further in debt sound appealing? You're more worried about where your next meal is coming from or taking care of your children or if you'll have a roof over your head. School isn't a priority for lots of people, but not by choice but by force. When you routinely hear things like how student loans turn into crippling debt, yeah, I'd want to avoid it too. I know some will say I'm making excuses for those in poverty. Say what you want, but there is no denying with rising housing costs, rising health care costs, low paying jobs, and a society that doesn't care if you're broke or not, the odds are stacked against the poor.
That's why it was no surprise to me when I read a recent study that concluded a raise of $1 to the minimum wage might help lower suicide rates. I never thought about killing myself because I was poor. However, as I alluded to, living like that is depressing. Add that to the fact I was better off than a lot of other people. I had a roof over my head, running water, and didn't go to bed hungry. Plus, I envisioned getting out of poverty. For some people, I would bet the only way they imagine ever getting out of poverty is by taking their own life. There are reports of people who kill themselves because of the financial struggle from their student debt. It's the same for those in poverty. Economic distress is significantly impacting our mental health. The sad and ironic thing is that many can't afford to see a therapist about that distress either.
““That’s not necessarily true, for some goods (the price will increase), but that’s not necessarily true.””
A plethora of things is needed to help out the poor. But when the topic of raising the minimum wage comes up, so many people mock it or refuse to listen to it. It gets dismissed so easily because it may impact you financially. Some states across the nation have already raised their minimum wage to $12 or $15 an hour. But there’s always a lot of push back when the idea is pitched on a federal level. “You raise the minimum wage, then everything else will get more expensive,” is commonly uttered. I was curious about this topic, so I talked with an economist at Creighton University about it. “That’s not necessarily true, for some goods (the price will increase), but that’s not necessarily true,” said the economist who I’m choosing not to name. “There will be cut back in some hours worked, and there will be a cut back in some workers but it will offset by overall higher economic activity,” he added. The book I’ve been referencing also says most economists agree the minimum wage could be raised to $10 an hour “Without driving down the supply of jobs to a meaningful degree, and that doing so might modestly boost economic growth.” So saying everything will be impacted in price is an exaggeration. It’s a company by company basis. Yes, the prices of some things may and will go up. Raising the minimum wage would also eliminate some of those low wage jobs and leave people with fewer employment options. I also understand changes to the minimum wage can hurt small businesses and restaurants. I know other economists would disagree with an increase as well. However, paying people a federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour like the state of Iowa does in 2020 brings up the question if that’s morally correct? If you have to ask yourself that question, to me, that also answers it with an emphatic no.
It would be great to see America get the ball rolling on helping with opportunities. A big-time job program needs to be created. This book showed many of those in poverty wanted to and were willing to work. We have crumbling infrastructure across the nation. There’s a mammoth need for child care centers and tutoring programs in America. There’s a growing demand for treatment centers for those battling addiction and homeless shelters. There is lots of work to do in America with lots of people willing to do that work. Once companies get those employees, they need to be treated better. By treating their workers like people instead of numbers, companies will see a bigger payout in the long run. You’ll end up with happier employees, which can lead to more productivity and less turnover. Education needs to be more affordable. Students shouldn’t be buried in debt, or have to consider doing porn just to pay their tuition. So with inflation, and the wealth gap growing by the day, eyes should be on wages to start. Giving people more opportunities to increase their income shouldn’t be viewed as something so negative. By paying people more, it may inspire them to get a higher education or learn a trade. By paying people more, it can make them stay in their jobs longer. Longer employment means reducing the need for government assistance, which is already hard to come by. By paying people more, it can improve their mental health and push them away from suicide rather than bring them closer to it. By paying people more, it can make life a little better. After living in poverty for more than two years, I’m ok with paying a little more for everyday things if that means fewer people have to live in hell with no money. The jury is still out for some states that have already raised the minimum wage and the long term impacts. So this topic will always continue to evolve and change. For Colorado, the state that raised its minimum wage to $12 an hour, reports show its economy is still doing well. I hope you take all this information into consideration. I encourage you to be open-minded about minimum wage increases because lucky for you, having a little more empathy for poor people doesn’t cost a thing.
*Now excuse me while I go listen to “7 Rings” again.
