Staff Reports
The recent rhetoric surrounding democratic socialism and the push for a higher minimum wage reveals a troubling disregard for basic economic principles. Advocates tout a $15 minimum wage as a means to guarantee dignity for every citizen while simultaneously promoting higher taxes on businesses and wealthy individuals. However, what they fail to understand—or perhaps choose to ignore—is the fundamental fact that when the government demands more from companies, it is the consumers who ultimately foot the bill.
Raising corporate taxes sounds appealing in theory, but in practice, corporations are not simply going to absorb those costs. Some of them may pass these expenses onto consumers. When businesses face increased tax burdens, they have choices: limit their profit margins, increase prices, or adapt through efficiencies. The response can vary, and it’s not certain they will choose to raise prices as a rule.
Let’s talk about that $15 minimum wage. On the surface, it seems like a generous idea aimed at lifting workers out of poverty. Yet, what if companies adopt this policy by increasing the prices of their goods? If a company’s costs increase due to higher wages, it might raise prices, but research indicates that minimum wage increases can also boost consumer spending, especially in areas with low-wage workers. This suggests that the net effect could still be positive, and higher wages do not necessarily lead to actual purchasing power being completely offset by higher prices.
The left’s insistence on this approach raises an important question: Are they really looking out for the working class, or are they simply trying to expand government control over commerce while masking it as compassion? The average hardworking American does not benefit from the illusion of more money in their wallet if it simply means they’ll pay more at the checkout line. Ultimately, these so-called progressive policies threaten the very dignity they profess to champion.
In the end, the naive belief that the government can legislate prosperity through increased taxation and wage mandates is not just flawed; it is dangerous. It weakens incentives for businesses to innovate, grow, and hire. A thriving economy relies on the freedom of individuals and businesses to make choices—choices often stifled by overreach and regulation. True dignity comes not from government checks, but from the ability to work hard and reap the benefits. It’s time to reject the misguided notions of democratic socialism and recognize that personal responsibility and market freedom are what truly lift society.
