Comrade Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats of Congress have said they will increase the minimum wage by $2.10 to $7.25 per hour. This increase is part of their new, communistic five-year plan.

Like pulling a rabbit from a hat, Democrats believe the problems of poverty can be solved just by making money appear in the hands of the working poor.

"A Moral Minimum Wage," an article written by Peter Dreier and Kelly Candaele appearing in "The Nation," said if an increase in the minimum wage occurred, "... millions would be lifted out of poverty. The largest group of beneficiaries would be children, whose parents would have more money for rent, food, clothing, and other basic necessities."

Using U.S. Census data, Heritage Foundation scholars determined the average standard of living for the American poor includes having "a car, air conditioning, at least one color television with cable or satellite, a home in decent condition and enough food in the refrigerator."

Contrary to liberal belief, not everyone can have everything. Thomas Sowell, author of "Black Rednecks and White Liberals," said, "The first law of economics is scarcity, and the first law of politics is to ignore the first law of economics." Middle-class Americans will be hurt the most through an increase in the minimum wage. They will be forced to deal with an increase in the costs of goods and services without an increase in their own wages.

Increases to the minimum wage have been successful in many states without creating financial burdens; however, the success lies with tax cuts.

In states like Oregon, business owners are given large tax breaks to cover the increased cost of paying employees and buying materials.

Democrats voted against their own bill to increase the minimum wage earlier this summer after tax cuts were attached to the bill.

The call for an increase in the minimum wage has little to do with need but rather greed. Using the U.S. Census data once again, only 15 percent of those who earn less than $6.65 live below the poverty line. Most minimum wage earners fall between the 16- to 24-year-old age bracket and are part of a middle-class family.

When people hear they are going to receive more money, saving usually is at the bottom of the priority list. Rather, people think about how much more they can spend. After the money is gone, people fall right back into the same financial situation they were previously in.

Currently, I make slightly above minimum wage as a houseboy at a sorority house. The thought of making more money sounded wonderful to me until I started to play the effects forward.

An increase in the minimum wage would end up costing the girls who live in the house an additional $4,284 dollars a year or $61.20 per person to keep all the houseboys employed. As other costs continue to go up, the houseboys start to look very expendable. This glorious plan to help me receive more money could end up costing me my job.

Magic is not the solution to the poverty problem. Poverty will not disappear with the waving of a hand. An increase in paper money creates an illusion of financial security, offering false hope to those who wish to better their situation.

Brett King is a junior in political science. Please e-mail your comments to opinion@spub.ksu.edu.