Economic spin: Minimum wage jobs are not what this country needs

The news is out and, if you can separate fact from the spin, the economy is improving, but not in the way many had hoped.

The newest numbers out suggest that the jobless numbers are dropping. But the problem is, the job growth is in minimum wage jobs, not in the kind of family-sustaining jobs that people need and want.

So, the bottom line is: No one is asking the right questions about the recovery and the economy's future.

Someone better start asking -- and holding Washington leaders accountable -- soon.

We do not as a nation need to increase the minimum wage. Those are not the types of jobs we need more of in this country.

We need to promote growth and business investment and to support the small business community, which provides many, many families with viable employment every year.

We need to encourage entrepreneurs who not only flesh out the next big idea, but also keep the marketplace on its toes.

We need tax policies that encourage employment and expansion -- not that punish success and risk-taking.

And what we do not need is any excuse to create even more government bureaucracies.

An economic boom begins with confidence and sound policies.

Perhaps during this next election, we can get a few more of the latter and encourage the former.

Published in Editorials on April 29, 2014 11:14 AM