Living for 30 Days
on Minimum Wage
By Nikita V. Kondratyev
8. The working poor are the group of people who have some type of work, but the work they have isn't able to keep them afloat. Whether this means that they are unable to purchase food, pay for rent, or acquire other basic necessities, the inability to get the money for these things, while still having a job puts an individual or a family under this oxymoron. This problem is one that the government has to address, minimum wage should give an individual the bare minimum in order to live independently of others, instead in today's world, minimum wage pays well below that line. Living in a first world country should create a better living for all citizens, not just lucky ones, and for the U.S. to be fighting over raising this wage is simply an embarrassment. Anyone who watches this episode of 30 days can see the neglect the government gives this group. Alex and Morgan had no luxuries whatsoever. Injuries were a death sentence for an individual's bank account and there are no vacation’s ever due to the individual living from check till check. The rich are able to rake in billions and keep most of it while the less fortunate suffer at the bottom, this is a huge red flag that our system we have today is flawed and any sensible person can see this.
10. Alex and Morgan were placed in a horrible situation that many have to deal with daily. Does one take care of their injuries and break the bank or do you simply hope that it gets better? Alex and Morgan eventually decided that they would get their injuries and infections checked out, which cost them nearly 1500$ dollars and amount that could pay for more than 3 months of rent. In their shoes I would've done the same thing, if you leave an injury alone it is likely that it will get worse, until you cant work. A hospital visit may be a huge setback but it is one you can come back from, unlike permanent damage to your body from which there is likely no recovery from. This dilemma is one that shouldn't exist, it is the government's duty to its people to allow them to not have to decide between survival and curing of pain, but today we have made only small steps toward this ideal. Hospitals shouldn't try to be a business like they are today, the wellbeing of the people should be the number one concern of the hospital and the government.
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