Part 7/11:
The assertion is clear: excessive regulation and aggressive wage hikes without strategic planning threaten to gut local industries. Businesses, unable to withstand the financial strain, close their doors, leading to job losses—an outcome directly opposite to the policy’s original goal of improving workers’ livelihoods.
The Tip Wage Controversy and Cultural Shift
A significant point of contention is the tipping culture itself. The current tip wage of $10 has been frozen until mid-2024, but many Americans question the fairness and logic behind tipping at all, especially in non-service contexts like convenience stores or drive-thrus.