Senator Edward Kennedy once described the minimum wage as "one of the best anti-poverty programs we have" (Dorn). Many people believe that raising the minimum wage will help end the cycle of poverty, boost the economy, and reduce the amount of taxpayer money spent on welfare benefits; however, the long-term consequences on the economy and the poor outweigh the short-term benefits. The minimum wage is the lowest wage an employer is required by law to pay its workers. It was first implemented in 1938 by Franklin Roosevelt as one of his many relief programs during the height of the Great Depression. The goal of the minimum wage was specifically to help keep workers out of poverty and stimulate the economy (Sonn). At the time, the minimum wage was only 25 cents, but it continued to rise over the years to reach the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Michigan's minimum wage is $7.40. According to Shirk, there are approximately 3.5 million minimum wage workers in the country. At least 15% are African American, 19% are Hispanic and 56% are white. Women represent two thirds of workers. Eighty-eight percent are at least twenty years old; indeed, most minimum wage workers are teenagers or young students. Finally, 42% of them have at least a university education (Shirk). The minimum wage is a hotly debated issue in current politics. In this year's State of the Union address, President Obama announced an executive order requiring all federal and private contractors working under government contracts to pay their employees at least $10.10 per hour, increasing minimum wage without Congressional approval. (Obama). This sparked outrage from the minimum wage newspaper community. National Center for Policy Analysis. National Center for Policy Analysis, May 4, 2006. Web. February 3, 2014. Nader, Ralph. “It’s time to step up.” » It's time to increase. It's Time to Rise, November 22, 2013. Web. February 3, 2014. Obama, Barack. “State of the Union.” Washington DC January 31, 2014. Shirk, James. “Raising the minimum wage harms the employment prospects of vulnerable workers without reducing poverty.” The Heritage Foundation. The Heritage Foundation, July 25, 2006.Web. February 3, 2014. Sonn, Paul K. “Minimum Wage Questions and Answers.” » Increase the minimum wage. Raise the minimum wage. Internet. February 2, 2014. United States Department of Labor. Wage and Hour Division. Washington DC 2009. Web. Yarrow, Andrew. “Andrew Yarrow: Raising the minimum wage would benefit everyone. » SunSentinel. Sun Sentinel, February 3, 2014. Web. February 2 2014.