This letter is in response to the column "Chicago wage law will benefit citizens of city" August 3.

There are innumerable arguments that can be made as to why Chicago's (or any) minimum wage law is a questionable idea at best. A minimum wage is an underhanded welfare program funded by consumers and shareholders. By artificially raising a wage floor, the government is providing an incentive for these people to remain as they are. If a person currently flips burgers for $6 an hour, you bet they're going to keep flipping burgers if they can do it for $10 an hour.

I know that everyone is worried about those trying to raise a family, single mothers, etc. People have no business trying to raise a family on minimum wage. If you are the type of person who might happen to be in a minimum wage-type job, maybe you shouldn't start a family if you can't support it. The answer is not to raise minimum wage but for people to take responsibility for their actions or their lack thereof. You mean to tell me that the reward for dropping out of high school, having children out of wedlock or refusing to get professional training is a $10 an hour job? Talk about a lack of consequences. For those still actually in high school, there are plenty of jobs that pay above the current minimum wage if you're willing to work hard enough. Trust me, I've done them.

These three words would go a long way toward improving our society if more of our bail-me-out-because-I-made-some-bad-decisions leeches would consider them. Priorities, sacrifice, accountability.