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Where Were You in 2009?

Do you remember where you were in 2009? Perhaps celebrating the inauguration of the first Black president of the United States, or maybe worrying about the repercussions of the 2008 financial crisis? It was a year of hope and change for many, but for minimum wage workers in Mississippi, not much has changed since then. While the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 per hour in 2009, it has remained stagnant in Mississippi, which has no state-mandated minimum wage.

The Relentless March of Inflation

According to the U.S. Inflation Calculator, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has continually risen over the years. If you wanted to buy something for $200 in 2008, it would cost you around $291.63 now. That's right, what was $200 in 2008 has nearly the same buying power as $291.63 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This increased cost of living directly affects Mississippi families, who often find themselves working multiple jobs just to make ends meet.

A Tale of Two Cars

Let's put this in perspective by looking at two popular American cars: the Ford F-150 and the Toyota Corolla.

According to Autoblog, the Ford F-150 had a starting price of about $17,345 in 2008. Fast-forward to 2022, and the base price has catapulted to around $28,950. That's an increase of over $11,000 in less than 15 years!

Similarly, a 2008 Toyota Corolla started at approximately $14,405. Now, in 2022, the price has risen to about $20,075.

While the costs of these vehicles have risen considerably, the minimum wage remains stuck in the past, making it even harder for families in Mississippi to afford a reliable car. This post includes Amazon affiliate links, if you purchase anything through these affiliated links, the author/website may earn a commission.

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The Family Struggle

Mississippi families, many of whom are already struggling with poverty, face the compounding stress of increasing living costs year after year. Parents juggle multiple jobs, trying to stretch every dollar to put food on the table, while also dreaming of buying a dependable car to replace their old, unreliable one. All of this without any increase in the minimum wage since 2009. It's a cycle of despair that many find impossible to escape.

For conservatives who tout the virtues of self-reliance and individual responsibility, let's be clear: The economic deck is stacked against these families. How can they be expected to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" when they can barely afford boots?

A Call to Action

While Mississippi remains absent in mandating a state minimum wage, it's time for a reckoning. The evidence is irrefutable: the cost of living has skyrocketed, while wages have not. How much longer can we as a society turn a blind eye to this flagrant injustice?

There are several paths forward. Advocacy groups and lawmakers should push for a state-mandated minimum wage that reflects the true cost of living in Mississippi. Additionally, federal legislators should consider regional cost-of-living adjustments to the federal minimum wage to more accurately reflect local economies.

The stagnation of the minimum wage is not just a policy issue; it's a moral failing that reflects poorly on us all. In one of the richest countries in the world, we have allowed our neighbors to toil away for wages that don't even cover basic necessities, all while the cost of living continues to climb.

It's time to end this disgrace. It's time to give Mississippi families the pay they need and deserve. It's time for a minimum wage that meets the demands of modern life.