Minimum Wage Fantasyland

The Maryland legislature passed a bill (over the governor’s veto) that raises the state’s minimum wage to $6.15. Consequently, there is a faculty-wide “discussion” via email where I teach (Frostburg State University) about the subject of minimum wage in particular and the evils of capitalism and private property in general.

It always is humorous — but sad — to see people with doctorates attempting to engage in serious discussion about economics. These people really believe that whatever government orders will come to pass. I have stayed out of the discussion because I generally like to discuss things with people who actually are interested in what is true. I can only imagine the reaction that would come if I addressed some of the inanities that have been posted.

To these faculty members, Mao brought prosperity to China and Stalin and Lenin were miracle workers. (That they killed more than 100 million people between them is not even on most faculty radar.) And they think that government medicine and the bloated welfare states of Europe are Really Great Things.

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5:30 pm on February 18, 2006