…and guess where this is going to lead?
It’ll lead to less jobs, that’s where.
Gov. Pat Quinn
Yes, Pat Quinn, our room-temperature-IQ governor, has as of today signed a “non-binding referendum” which will appear on the ballot this fall, and which asks whether the minimum wage in Illinois should be raised from $8.25 an hour to $10 an hour (see this Quinn-aggrandizing piece in the Trib for the BIG STORY.)
Yes, he’s going to let his voting base answer that questions. In droves. Because they are going to vote themselves the largesse of the treasury. Who wouldn’t?
We’ll tell you who wouldn’t. People with sense. Because people with sense realize that the ones who are going to be hurting are the EMPLOYERS. And when employers start cutting positions because they can’t AFFORD to pay $10 an hour (otherwise they would already be), there are going to be plenty of voters who believe they’re worth $10 an hour flipping burgers…but there are no jobs for burger flippers. Or much of anything else entry-level; or even advancement from those who already have jobs working for $10 an hour. Why? Because those who are currently making $10 an hour sure as hell aren’t going to get a raise to $11.75…commensurate with the $8.25 to $10. We as employers can’t handle the $10 an hour minimum….we’re not going to be able to give raises across the board. It’s just not gonna happen.
This shows something very distinct: Quinn is absolutely clueless as to what it takes to run a business. And he has absolutely no concept of who provides jobs in this state. It’s not something government can DO. It’s something government needs to stay OUT of. Because this is the damn mess that happens. All Quinn is thinking about are the droves of people who “vote themselves the largesse of the treasury” (asking for the government to GIVE them more and more)…when it’s not the government doing it…it’s the government FORCING us, as employers, to abide by the law or be fined (ah! fines and fees…that’s what makes the government world go ’round…), some business being forced to close their doors…and placing more and more people on the public dole.
Which is probably what Quinn wants. Illinois is a microcosm of socialism, after all. It’s time to stop it.
If you don’t get the ABJECT HARM this is going to do to our economy, you need to get educated. NOTHING good can come of this. And if it’s a step the state actually takes (“the voters have spoken!!!”), you watch. You think the job market is bad now? FORCE employers to pay people more…by threat of fines, fees, and non-existence…and see how many ultimately close their doors.
Shame on you, Quinn, for this ridiculous stunt. Rauner’s going to win, but we’ll still be stuck with your left-behind ideas, which our state will try their damnedest to implement. We’re all screwed….but hey…Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky will thank the hell out of you, for sending all the businesses to them.
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