2012 Presidential Candidates on the Minimum Wage

Maintaining a capitalistic, supply and demand system to shape the national wage structure has always been the mantra of business owners here since the first call for a national minimum wage appeared in the 1930’s. There is a prevalent argument that a minimum wage system is a symbol of a welfare state or socialism, and it impedes on the operational efficiency of businesses. In addition, there is a fear that a high across the board increase of wages will result in downsizing, as businesses struggles to maintain their bottom line.

Of course, on the flip side, advocates of the national minimum wage points out that too often businesses hide behind the profitability argument, ignoring the fact that people must be fairly compensated for their contributions to a company, and not expected to sacrifice for large enterprises. Asking workers to accept lower wages is akin to asking the average worker to bear the burden of subsidizing the running costs of big businesses. There is also the fear that businesses often engage in a cartel like behavior to set an ‘appropriate’ wage structure, thus denying market forces from determining the correct wage level. It is also worth noting that the last national minimum wage increase was back in 1997, during the Clinton administration.

Support our website with Google Plus

2012 Presidential Candidates on Twitter

Declared 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate
3-Tour Combat Vet, Philosopher and Law Student

RJ Harris

Harris Position on the Minimum Wage

I will work to remove all federal intrusions into the free market including the labor market.

More on Harris

Declared 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate
Former Governor of New Mexico

Gary Johnson

Johnson Position on the Minimum Wage

The former New Mexico governor is against the idea of having a national minimum wage policy, as he feels that a uniform minimum wage rate across the country does not take into account the difference in living costs between regions and its respective local job market, while potentially causing some industries to lose their competitive edge. Johnson points out that a majority of states already have their own minimum wage policy that could be rewritten in the face of new market changes.

More on Johnson

Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Career Flight Attendant

Tom Miller

Miller Position on the Minimum Wage

• Miller will terminate the Federal minimum wage and support the free market to determine private sector wages.

More on Miller

Declared 2012 Democratic Presidential Candidate
Current President of the United States

Barack Obama

Obama Position on the Minimum Wage

• Obama would raise the minimum wage, index it to inflation and increase the Earned Income Tax Credit.

• He has voted for increases in the minimum wage.

More on Obama

Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate

Matt Snyder

Snyder Position on the Minimum Wage

"Any time government interferes with business, the result is bad for business—therefore, bad for consumers, and ultimately, bad for the people the government was trying to help. America needs jobs badly. Minimum wage laws prevent business owners from creating job opportunities."