"This is not just a moral precept; it is an economic fact. . . . It's everyone's problem because poverty is a sinkhole down which the entire economy is sliding. The only way we can plug the hole is for everyone to earn a living wage. There is no other way." Opponents of corporate taxes often defend their position by saying the government should not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. In other words, overtaxing businesses weakens the entire economy. Author Leon Johnson shows why this is a flawed argument, and why the real solution to improving stagnant economic growth lies in raising the minimum wage to a living standard. Along the way, we come to understand that the country's true job creators are consumers. The gears that turn the economic engine are consumers empowered with discretionary money to spend. The path to a vibrant, flourishing economy, increased freedom and security for all people, and a healthy, thriving environment starts with a living wage-one that represents a realistic ability to live and contribute in a meaningful way while being fairly compensated for one's labor and talent. Who's the Goose that Lays the Golden Eggs? explores what happens when this approach is incorporated into our economic system: everyone benefits, everyone prospers, and the positive benefits ripple outward, leading to a reduction in welfare and poverty, an increase in educated, skilled employees, less discrimination and environmental impact, and reduced corruption at the corporate and governmental levels. This is a cause we can all support, no matter our political views, because the potential benefits are too big to ignore.
