Should the minimum wage be raised? It's a question that's been asked for as long as I've been in the workforce. The minimum wage hasn't been raised since 2009. And you may be asking yourself, how does this relate to media? Well, I'm here to argue that the media is the driving force behind the minimum wage bill that is now being voted on.
There's never really been a clear answer. In true Fairness Doctrine fashion, there are economists arguing both sides of the issue.
However, the winner in terms of changing the narrative here is the group Fight for 15.
In 2012 200 fast-food workers went on strike to demand a higher minimum wage, and the issue has been shoved to the front of public discourse ever since.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are doing it
And the fight for 15 protests did that. Now that, is media influencing politics.
This is a good post that shows both sides to an increasingly heavy debate that is currently overtaking our countries political sphere. When looking at $15 minimum wage, there are points in favor of this increase however there are also points against the increase of minimum wage. I have seen posts on social media of individuals from different countries that have a higher minimum wage going against the idea that raising minimum wage would cause a spike in inflation. This is definitely a topic that is going to be debated for a long time. Even if minimum wage is raised to $15, I don't see the topic going away anytime soon. It would not surprise me if politicians would try to lower minimum wage back to what it was before being raised to $15.
ReplyDeleteThis issues is truly a good take on how media ultimately influences political decision making. With the many news outlets shedding light on the matter and the incidents that have taken place because of it, it is fair to say that politicians have had to "pick a side" on the issue. Now this is where their true political interests come into play. Although personal opinions may indeed influence their political stance on a proposed increase in minimum wage, the opinions and interests of their parties, constituents, and simply the public as a whole definitely weigh the most in their decision making. Now that an actual movement has developed and begun steamrolling the issue, the media has been and will continue to focus on the matter. Thus, we will likely see a game of single-issue politics develop as politicians will, yet again, use this controversial topic as a ploy for influencing public opinion.
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