In 2019 the U.S census found that 34 million Americans live in poverty. In a world where yearly inflation is rising and the world is run by massive corporations, small workers have no power and no money. Ever since 1938 the minimum wage has been growing. The longest America has gone without a minimum wage raise was nine years. It has been 11 years since the last minimum wage raise and we are due for another one. America should adopt the fifteen dollar minimum wage by 2030 because of, the growing economy, its been proven to work in other countries, and it would benefit a majority of the U.S. population.

The American economy has been growing for years now, but unlike the 21^st century it is controlled by thousands of massive corporations. These corporations employ thousands of workers that are not cared for. According to Barron’s, inflation from 2019 to 2020 caused food prices to rise by 3.9%. So why hasn’t the minimum wage? Many states around the US have already raised their minimum wage. For example in Colorado the minimum wage is 12 dollars, and the states economy is flourishing. In New York the minimum wage was raised to 15 dollars this year. We need to move with the growing economy and make sure that the big corporations care more about their workers.

This minimum wage may be a huge shift for many, but it has already been done by other countries around the world. The largest minimum wage in the world is Australia at 19.84 dollars according to squareup.com, and the country’s economy is prospering, boasting a 13^th rank in GDP in the world. The U.S. should not plunge into the wage quickly, but we need a plan to raise it, because $7.50 is not enough.

Many in the U.S. population would say that the wage only benefits minimum wage workers. But the reality is that with more money in the pockets of our workers our economy will grow. The added money that these workers receive will just go back into the economy, strengthening our market. The congressional budget office stated that the wage by 2025 would bring 900,000 people out of poverty, but also cut 1.4 million jobs. If we lift the wage by 2030 rather than 2025 we can cut the amount of lost jobs, and still lift a huge number of Americans out of poverty. An investment in a 15 dollar minimum wage is an investment in our workers, its and investment in our country and economy.

The main argument against the minimum wage is that it will affect small businesses, which completely makes sense. Small business’s are the backbone of our economy which is why I suggest that we lift the wage to 15 dollars by 2030. This would give business’s plenty of time to slowly work into a 15 dollar minimum wage, and I believe it would limit large unemployment numbers.

The 15 dollar minimum wage would grow with the economy, benefit almost all Americans, and help us join the other countries that are changing the lives of workers. In the end a 15 dollar minimum wage will be tough for some, but the benefits are endless. Millions of Americans would be brought out of poverty, and it is now possible for an American to take control of his future. In an America with unaffordable healthcare, large college tuition, and high rent, we need to help put money in the pockets of our workers. We need to give people a chance to succeed and grow. A higher minimum wage would help bring us closer to an America truly filled with opportunity.