4 Quotes From Socialist Thinkers on Abolishing the Federal Minimum Wage

While socialists want to see wages for Americans raised, they sometimes don't seem to support the proposed federal minimum wage increase. Socialists do not believe the $10.10 an hour President Obama suggested in the 2014 State of the Union address goes far enough to help give Americans a decent living wage.

Here are five quotes on the issue from socialist thinkers:

1. "As socialists, we ultimately believe in the abolition of the wage system. We also realistically recognize that we will have to achieve those transitional demands which lead to the redistribution of wealth towards the needs of the people who produce that wealth," says Steve Rossignol, archivits for the Socialist Party.

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"An easy first measure for wealth redistribution is higher wages. Higher wages can be achieved by guaranteeing a minimum living wage based on local market conditions. The Fight for $15 campaign is a step towards the guaranteed minimum living wage."

2. "The very fact that a minor increase in the minimum wage from a level that ensures near-destitution provokes such controversy within the political establishment, under conditions of the deepest economic crisis since the Great Depression, only underscores the bankruptcy of the entire political system and its contempt for the great majority of the population." - Andre Damon, according to the World Socialist Web Site.

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3. "When states have raised the minimum wage above the national standard, they have recorded a decrease in unemployment, more consumer spending and a stronger economy." - Samantha Valente arguing that a federal minimum wage is not sufficient, according to Socialistworker.org

4. "We're practicing what we're preaching in terms of continuing to fight for the minimum wage, but we can't pay a lot more than $13." Doug Barnes, Freedom Socialist Party national secretary tells The Huffington Post in response to critics who pointed out the party is pushing for a $20 an hour national minimum wage, but offering only $13 for a web designer position.

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