Proposal to Raise Minimum Wage

Re “Increase the National Minimum Wage . . . but One Size Doesn’t Fit All Workers,” Commentary, Sept. 16:

This letter is in response to Sen. Barbara Boxer’s plea for a raise of the minimum wage. I have to give her an A+ for persistence. But, as usual, an F for her silly idea.

It’s not the government’s business to finance the lifestyles of the people. The Constitution does not guarantee anyone the right to live in a major metropolitan area. Those who “work hard” and perform the jobs Boxer describes should either move to a more affordable place or continue their education to develop job skills to leave their low-paying jobs behind.

MARK SNYDER

El Segundo

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What a privilege to read a thoughtful explanation of why we don’t need a minimum wage requirement. Our expert du jour: Roger Thompson, “executive vice president . . . of a Dallas-based company with several restaurant chains.” Here is a man capitalizing on the time-worn method of abrogating responsibility for worker compensation by leaving that nonsense to the dining customers, who “tip” the scales in his favor. Nor is his MO small-time; “several restaurant chains” is a wily method of compounding the money saved as diners, bound by custom, compensate his employees. His chains benefit big time, while customers pay the help.

Our tears flow for this egotist, who actually believes himself an expert on poor people’s salary requirements and wastes precious stockholders’ time explaining it to us. May his tribe decrease.

KEN BLAKE

Santa Clarita