Living on Low Wages

As we talked about in class, the United States was founded based on the American dream that everyone is created equal and should be treated equally, and that all would be given more rights and chances to be able to gain a better life. But even though our country is based off of these values, then why are so many people are still jobless, struggling to pay debt and don't have the chance to get a better job with higher wages? Lots of people have low wage jobs because they cannot afford college or can't find any other jobs available. In the book Nickel and Dimed, Barbra works hard in low wage jobs to pay off the rent and often struggles with stress from the job and having enough for meals. Many of the other workers she gets to know can't even afford to go to college to get education to gain a better job. This shows how many opportunities for a better future are taken away when they can't afford to pay for the education for a higher wage job. Another problem caused by the bad economy is the higher taxes and less amount of jobs available to citizens. This has lead some people to be desperate for a job and taking any one they can find, even if it is a low wage job.

          All of these job issues can relate to the upcoming elections of Barrett or Walker for governor. In the election for governor, Walker wants to lower taxes, make the government smaller, and wishes to get rid of the estate tax on retirement income. Already in Green Bay he has made a five-page, six-point plan that he hopes will create 250,000 jobs in Wisconsin within his first term. Barrett wants to make tax cuts mainly on smaller businesses and outlined $1.1 billion cuts to reduce the next biennial budget. These changes which they want to make may help increase jobs as well as lower taxes for people in debt and help them earn more money for education. This will also help people with the education find available jobs.