On Monday, New Jersey became the fourth state to enact a $15 minimum wage. Governor Murphy said he was “incredibly proud” to sign the bill (A-15), “ensuring that the most vulnerable among us will have the means to put food on the table, while growing our economy and addressing priorities of the small business community.”

The bill signing ceremony was an illustration of the pervasive economic illiteracy that plagues the left. They have either forgotten, or choose to ignore, some basic principles of economics, instead clinging to hopes of a blissful utopia, by way of the enactment and implementation of laws and regulations designed to lift the less fortunate… by hurting the fortunate. – through oppressive taxation, irresponsible minimum wages, and restrictive regulations that go beyond that which provides necessary benefits or safeguards to employees and consumers.

Don’t bother with what the governor said. Just throw it directly into the trash heap where it belongs. He is either lying, or simply, and more probably, has no idea that which he speaks of. The other three states that have passed a $15 minimum wage bill clearly illustrated that small businesses lay off more workers as a direct result of a higher minimum wage, and that there is a direct correlation between a high minimum wage and high unemployment, as well as higher living costs. This is a matter of fact, and not just an economic theory. It has been shown to be true, painfully true, especially in northern California cities such as San Francisco, but also in other major cities like Los Angeles, where the cost of living is unbearable.

But there is yet another, unintended consequence to the $15 minimum wage. Economic theory posits that if an employee is paid well regardless of their performance, they will perform poorly. It’s basic logic. If you knew that as an employee, you could essentially sleep all day and still get paid enough to get by, then why bother yourself with doing a good job? You’re comfortable regardless of how well you did. The problem with employees not performing at their best is that companies cannot do well with complacent employees. On a larger scale, economies can’t do well when those that are most crucial to it’s health, working men and women, are passive about their vocations. When there is no will to do great things, the economy stagnates.

It is not only about the economy. It is about who we are becoming as people. Complacency and passivity have become hallmarks of Democratic legislation. It seems that every time a new Democratic bill designed to help the economy is placed on the floor of either the State’s Assembly and Senate, or the US House or Senate, it contains language that condones and even encourages for us, the supposed benefactors of the bill, to rest on our laurels, chill on the beach, and basically enable us to be as least productive as possible while somehow still maintaining a high quality of living.

A $15 minimum wage in part removes the incentive from low-income workers to achieve upward mobility in their lives and careers. Without such an incentive, it will be no surprise when future studies show New Jersey continuing to lag behind nationally in terms of economic prosperity.