The New CBO Report on the Minimum Wage | National Catholic Reporter

The New CBO Report on the Minimum Wage | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Catholic Social Teaching demands not just an adequate minimum wage but one that can support a family.  Of course, family size is a big variable in that equation.  Not only must the minimum wage go up (and it must) but the Child Tax Credit as well.  This cannot be done by subsidiary forces (except maybe for state governments, who could also enact such a credit for their income taxes or sales tax rebates) - it must be governmental. The economy won't do it, as those who are just will be outcompeted by those who are unjust.  Indeed, I suspect most businesses heave a quiet sigh of relief when government acts - at least those who are willing to do the right thing but are afraid to due to competitive pressures.  There is one other way that the Church could insert itself into the debate.  It could demand under pain of mortal sin that Catholic employers and shareholders pay a higher wage and a higher per child benefit, regardless of what the government does.  Of course, the hue and cry would be deafenning - especially since the Catholic Church as an employer does not seem to do these things itself (CCUSA did not give us a $12,000 wage when Catie was born - even though that would have been in compliance with Catholic Social Teaching - which is why they covered contraception).