Mock Senate

Bill Sponsor: Rachel Rosenbaum
Bill Topic: Financial Aid
Party: Democratic

Purpose: to increase financial security for independent parents

Be it enacted by the United States Senate:
1. Single parents raising children should receive a ten percent increase in salary.
2. If an independent parent should marry, his/her salary should return to normal.
3. Once a single parent's youngest child turns eighteen, his/her salary should return to normal.
4. This requirement should apply for single parents whose salaries are at minimum wage or within five thousand dollars of minimum wage.

Our Discussion with Charles Wheelan

This past Wednesday, we were fortunate enough to have a discussion with Charles Wheelan, the author of Naked Economics, via Skype. Mr. Wheelan brought up many interesting points, some that even surprised me by changing my views on certain issues. One of those issues was the increase in minimum wage proposed by President Obama as a solution to the high poverty rates we are currently experiencing. Initially, this seemed like a very logical and potentially successful idea to me, until I heard Mr. Wheelan's side of it. He made a valid point that raising minimum wage could result in an increase in the unemployment rate, due to employers turning to technology and outsourcing. Once they realize they would have to pay their workers more, they would look for cheap replacements and/or hire less workers. I now agree with his point of view because the higher unemployment rate would offset the successes of a higher minimum wage. After listening to his reasoning, I understand that although poverty is a major issue, President Obama's suggestion actually might not do much good to help the situation.