Higher minimum wages push good, bad effects: Your Say

Twenty-one states increased minimum wages last week to an average of $8 an hour. The federal minimum is $7.25. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Liberals just do not get these points:

• Nobody is entitled to a job. You earn that privilege through education, hard work, motivation, knowledge and your ability to deal effectively with people.
• Minimum wage jobs are starter jobs. They are generally meant for those who need to learn a skill set. If you have no ambition to do better than that, then you deserve only a wage the company can afford.
• Do you want higher pay? Complete your education. Invest in yourself before you expect and demand an employer to invest in you.
• The bottom line is key to any business, be it big corporations or small businesses. They are going to do what they must to stay profitable.

— Peter Hoover

I have four low-level employees, mostly college students. A few months ago, I spoke to my accountant about the raise in minimum wage here in New York. Its calculated effect was insignificant. Also, my profits had been up recently with the improving economy.

As an early Christmas gift, I gave them all raises to $10 per hour. The productivity of the employees went through the roof. I'm generating more money because of contented workers. In the new year, I'm going to be in the market to expand facilities to accommodate more employees.

— Brian Theriot

The federal government should index the minimum wage to inflation. The current process of establishing a minimum and adjusting it after several years results in a discontinuous jump in wages and causes a lot of angst.

— Wayne Leslie