Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker called the minimum wage "lame". But is that the right word? It's a good start to attack terrible policies like the minimum wage - but simply calling it "lame" makes it seem like it causes no harm.
A better term is needed. That said, what is the right word for a policy that:
* Keeps teens from gaining important life skills that would have helped them not only earn money now, but gain valuable work experience which will help them get better jobs later?
* Causes firms to switch from hiring people to hiring machines?
* Prompts people who would have worked for $5/hour but can't get a job at $7.25/hour or higher to seek other options for income? Some will choose to work in illegal markets (selling drugs, etc.).
* And has other bad consequences?
No, lame is not the right word for the minimum wage. But it's better than what most politicians are saying.
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