See "Beware the U.S. Model" by Mishel, Schmitt and Bernstein, an EPI book, for the US/Euro comparison. See Robert Pollin's book on the living wage. Also tell the coalition to contact John Schmitt at EPI ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) for help on the issue. mbs -----Original Message----- From: John Exdell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wednesday, October 20, 1999 12:45 AM Subject: [PEN-L:12816] economist attacks living wage >An economist at Kansas State University wrote an op-ed column in today's >paper here attacking a local labor coalition that is pushing for a living >wage economic development policy. He included the conventional wisdom that >high minimum wages in Europe have caused high unemployment rates. I recall >a posting on PEN in the late summer from someone who disputed this claim. >That message contained some figures on unemployment rates in several >European countries that were not much higher than ours, despite much higher >minimum wages in those countries. If someone has reliable figures on this, >please post them. We will make use of them here in our response. > >This economist of course also represented his view as the universal wisdom >of his profession. Are there other cogent explanations economists offer >for the higher unemployment rates in some European countries? > > >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Department of Philosophy Office/voicemail: 785-532-0359 >Kedzie Hall 203 Philosophy Office: 785-532-6758 >Kansas State University Home: 785-539-6076 >Manhattan KS 66506 Fax: 785-532-7004 >
