Erika Goeckeritz, Lifeguard, Bellevue

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"Probably $6, because in order to have a productive life where you can actually achieve things, you really need that much so you can pay your bills and have a life, too... Big businesses could afford to pay more but I don't think they'd want to because they'd lose money. But small ones -- family businesses -- probably couldn't afford it, especially if they're just starting out... The jobs I've been in usually pay about $6. My first job paid $4, and that was about two years ago when I was working in a fast food restaurant. I didn't like it very much... Now I'm a lifeguard and the money's not an issue because it's something I've always wanted to do."

Jeff Mosier, Writer & musician, Seattle

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"It should certainly be higher than it is now. It should be $6 or $6.25 at the absolute least. It's an educated guess, but it seems to me that businesses could afford it and people could live on it. It's a fair wage... I don't see how anybody could live on $4.25 an hour... Unfortunately, I think politics has to enter into it if you're going to set some standard minimum wage, but economics should enter into regulating the de facto minimum wage... I saw something about this on TV a couple of days ago and I was shocked to see the minimum wage was still so low."

Lucinda Runyan, Retired teacher, Medina

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"I know it's supposed to be $5.50 from the Congress, about a dollar more, but my biggest concern is that people who do earn the minimum aren't able to get ahead -- that they struggle with that income. I don't want people to give up in spite of their efforts. The cost of living has gone up so much... I'd be interested in hearing how the cycle might be improved -- the impact on businesses. I suppose, maybe with government help, that small businesses might receive some sort of tax break or whatever. I think government needs to be involved to help out... I'm also concerned about the impact on the welfare system -- if people can't make a living on the minimum wage, they might turn to welfare..."

Lyndsey Runyan, 7th grade, Medina

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"I think it probably should be raised because the people who are working for minimum wage don't make enough to support themselves and their families... My sister talks about it a lot -- she just turned 17... I think Clinton wants to raise it, and Buchanan wants to lower it. I think they should probably interview people who are on minimum wage to find out what their struggles are. $5.50, or $6, seems fair..."

Amanda Trau, 7th grade, Bellevue

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"It should definitely be higher because I know a teacher who works for like $4, which is under minimum wage, and I don't think that's really fair because she's doing something for the community and stuff. She's kind of like a volunteer, but she told us she made like $4... I babysit for people who are pretty rich and I get $5 an hour for two kids. Otherwise, I get $2 or $3 an hour... Maybe they should talk to people on minimum wage to see what they think it should be and take a vote or something... I don't think I could live on $4.25 an hour. It'd probably be kind of hard, but I would try to manage."

Lindi Lumens, Candy store co-owner, Bellevue

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"I don't think it should be over $5 because most of the people earning minimum wage are learning the job or are in school. They don't have the experience... All raising the minimum wage really does is raise the prices everyone has to pay... I get upset with companies where the CEOs are making millions and their employees are making minimum wage. I don't think that's right. But I also realize that most small businesses would probably be put out of business if the minimum wage was raised very far, and small businesses are the backbone of America. It's hard enough as it is with all the taxes -- we have to pay about seven and one-half percent of gross wages for Social Security and Medicare. Then there's Labor and Industries... It adds up to about 10 percent of the employee's gross wage. So a $5 an hour employee costs us about $5.50... We hire at minimum and if they show competence, they make more."

Copyright © 1996 by the Bellevue, WA-based Journal American newspaper.

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