Readers React: A minimum-wage boost for L.A.: pro and con

To the editor: The Times’ desire that a minimum wage job be a steppingstone is laudable but echoes a perspective that is out of touch with reality and has helped keep the minimum wage from rising for far too long. (“A higher minimum wage makes sense for L.A., but it’s no cure-all,” Editorial, Sept. 14)

Fortunately, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti is more firmly grounded in reality, a reality where the average minimum wage earner is older than 30 and earns half his family’s income. The mayor probably understands that there are no cure-alls to be found, so instead he realistically has a job-creating agenda of improving energy efficiency, providing job training and improving educational opportunities, along with much of the laundry list of non-cure-all items that The Times listed.

Yes, the mayor’s plan to raise the minimum wage does make sense.

David Greene, San Pedro

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To the editor: The call for a minimum wage hike by Garcetti and others in the formerly Golden State is perfectly predictable. Many people here live on substandard wages.

But why have most recently added jobs been low paying?

Traditionally, few minimum wage workers stay in their jobs long, but with the most anti-business state government in America, serious employers have made an exodus for years. The hemorrhage will continue as long as we are an ideology-driven, one-party state.

Larry Walker, Canoga Park

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To the editor: Garcetti’s modest proposal to increase the minimum wage to $13.25 an hour by 2017 is no panacea, but it would help those at the very bottom of the economic ladder. Even with the proposed increase, it wouldn’t catch Los Angeles up to Denmark’s minimum wage (about $20) or Australia’s (nearly $17).

The “extra” money in Los Angeles workers’ pockets would be spent on basic necessities and serve as a stimulus to the economy, helping even those who oppose raising the minimum wage.

A final added benefit would likely be more pay for those making slightly more than the minimum wage.

Domenico Maceri, San Luis Obispo

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To the editor: I recommend a simple solution to the minimum wage issues facing us today: Put your money where your mouth is.

This is a great opportunity for progressive business owners to open fast-food restaurants, big-box and other stores and pay everyone, including the unskilled workers, higher wages, along with great benefits and time off. Heck, just unionize the workers.

Customers will line up around the block, profits will soar, and we will have proof that perpetual-motion machines work.

Scott Mandell, Studio City

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