“No one can maximize the American dream with the minimum wage. » -- Benjamin Todd Jealous “No family gets rich by earning minimum wage. In fact, the current minimum wage doesn't even lift a family out of poverty. » -- Jon Corzine Income inequality is a major problem that American society has faced for decades, but it has recently become a major concern. Personally, I believe that the major income gap between the rich and the poor is not only a major concern for government and society, but it is not a major concern. If the federal government addresses other major concerns facing American citizens, inequalities will be corrected due to other changes. The government must step in and adjust the minimum wage and public education. If the government raised the minimum wage and provided more money to public schools to meet students' educational needs, income inequality would begin to adjust. I firmly believe that income inequality is a major problem in today's society; However, other issues must be addressed before the gap between the rich and poor in America can be narrowed. I think a major issue where the federal government needs to address social issues to alleviate the income inequality crisis, a major concern is an increase in the living wage. salary. The current minimum wage in the United States is $5.15 per hour; however, "only 17 states and the District of Columbia have set their minimums higher", but this means that there is still a majority, 33 states, with citizens whose income level is incredibly low and inappropriate (Addison 1) . The minimum wage hasn't increased in over a decade and probably won't in the next few years. The reason there won't be a raise is because "the Republican minority in the U.S. Senate filibustered and blocked a vote on a House-passed bill that would give workers a $2 raise, 10 dollars an hour for two years” (Addison 2). No conditions would have been imposed on businesses if this bill had passed, resulting in no downfall for businesses. The only major consequence would have been a reduction in the number of citizens living at or below the poverty line. If the federal government approved the wage increase, the income gap would shrink significantly. Many people complain about the inequality between the rich and the poor, but the federal government is able to instantly reduce the number of people living in poverty...... middle of paper ...... the poverty threshold will have to be changed and wait even longer to overcome their deprivation. Additionally, if the government took the time to establish a strong public education for all students and encouraged high school students to attend college, the gap would also see positive changes. Raising wages, setting new standards for schools, and providing more scholarships for students to attend college will all lead to positive changes in income inequality. I believe that income inequality is a problem that society will continue to face if the government does not address the other problems facing today's society. Once the minimum wage is increased and strong education programs for all students are created, the gap will begin to narrow. and McKinley Blackburn. "Salary>.