--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I thought that raising the minimum…" description: "\"If I thought that raising the minimum wage was the best way to help people increase their pay, I would be all for it, but it isn't. If you raise the mi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed6/marco-rubio-355_automation_if-i-thought-that-raising-the-minimum-wa_2449965.jpg" --- # If I thought that raising the minimum wage was the best… ![“If I thought that raising the minimum wage was the best way to help people increase their pay, I would be all for it, but it isn't. If you raise the minimum wage, you're going to make people more expensive than a machine. And that means all this automation that's replacing jobs and people is only…” quote by Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed6/marco-rubio-355_automation_if-i-thought-that-raising-the-minimum-wa_2449965.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed6/marco-rubio-355_automation_if-i-thought-that-raising-the-minimum-wa_2449965.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed6/marco-rubio-355_automation_if-i-thought-that-raising-the-minimum-wa_2449965.jpg) > “If I thought that raising the minimum wage was the best way to help people increase their pay, I would be all for it, but it isn't. If you raise the minimum wage, you're going to make people more expensive than a machine. And that means all this automation that's replacing jobs and people is only going to be accelerated.” [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Raising the minimum wage may increase labor costs, potentially accelerating automation and job loss. **In simple terms:** Higher wages could speed up automation. Key Takeaway Consider broader economic impacts of wage policies. Themes economics labor automation Mood analytical cautious Type policy economic commentary When to use this quote - policy making - business strategy - employment planning - social welfare Key Concepts cost‑benefit analysis technology adoption Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can protect workers? - How can policy balance wages and automation? A Different Perspective Automation may also create new job categories. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Automation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/automation/) [Best way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-way/) [Help people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-people/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines/) [Minimum wage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minimum-wage/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Wage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wage/) ## Related quotes > [If you raise the minimum wage, you're going to make people more expensive than a machine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/if-you-raise-the-minimum-wage-you-re-going-to-make-people-more/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [On balance, I am a supporter of the minimum wage going up. We've got to be very careful what we wish for because some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/on-balance-i-am-a-supporter-of-the-minimum-wage-going-up-we-ve-got-to/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [Raising the minimum wage may poll well, but having a job that pays $10 an hour is not the American Dream. And our current…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/raising-the-minimum-wage-may-poll-well-but-having-a-job-that-pays-10/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [We should raise the minimum wage so that no one who works full time has to live in poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-should-raise-the-minimum-wage-so-that-no-one-who-works-full-time/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I want to applaud those workers rallying to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. I believe strongly that a great nation will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/i-want-to-applaud-those-workers-rallying-to-raise-the-minimum-wage-to/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [Before the government decides to raise the minimum wage, it must consider the effects of the tax and benefits merry-go-round that affects the low-paid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-rees-mogg/before-the-government-decides-to-raise-the-minimum-wage-it-must/) [Jacob Rees-Mogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-rees-mogg/) > [We have to raise the minimum wage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-o-malley/we-have-to-raise-the-minimum-wage/) [Martin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-o-malley/) > [To reward work, to grow the middle class and strengthen the economy, to give millions of Americans the respect they deserve... It's time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/to-reward-work-to-grow-the-middle-class-and-strengthen-the-economy-to/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [I'm not sure there's another way to help move more people out of poverty than to raise the minimum wage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hickenlooper/i-m-not-sure-there-s-another-way-to-help-move-more-people-out-of/) [John Hickenlooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hickenlooper/) > [ \[W\]e have a lot of evidence on what happens when you raise the minimum wage. And the evidence is overwhelmingly positive: Hiking the minimum… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-krugman/w-e-have-a-lot-of-evidence-on-what-happens-when-you-raise-the-minimum/) [Paul Krugman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-krugman/) > [Let's also, my friends, let's raise the minimum wage and support the 5 for 15 so you don't live in poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/let-s-also-my-friends-let-s-raise-the-minimum-wage-and-support-the-5/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Raising the minimum wage a lot across the board would make a big difference. It's not the only thing, but it's an indispensable part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hanauer/raising-the-minimum-wage-a-lot-across-the-board-would-make-a-big/) [Nick Hanauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hanauer/) > [Raising the minimum wage represents a substantial financial burden for employers, particularly start-ups, early stage companies, and family-owned businesses. In response, business owners would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabrizio-moreira/raising-the-minimum-wage-represents-a-substantial-financial-burden/) [Fabrizio Moreira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabrizio-moreira/) > [Raising the minimum wage is very efficient. Everybody's on the same playing field, it's a very simple rule, it doesn't require a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hanauer/raising-the-minimum-wage-is-very-efficient-everybody-s-on-the-same/) [Nick Hanauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hanauer/) > [Raising the minimum wage isn't just pro-worker; it's pro-economic growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/raising-the-minimum-wage-isn-t-just-pro-worker-it-s-pro-economic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Marco Rubio > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [However, however, if the goal is to abandon America's free enterprise economy, if the goal is to convert America into a submissive member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/however-however-if-the-goal-is-to-abandon-america-s-free-enterprise/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [The president we have today is a typical Washington politician that's prone to hyperbole and decisiveness and false outrage. And I think it's very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-president-we-have-today-is-a-typical-washington-politician-that-s/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Donald Trump is not going to be the nominee, because we are not going to allow - people will wake up and we're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/donald-trump-is-not-going-to-be-the-nominee-because-we-are-not-going/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [My first job paid well for a young attorney. I was making over $50,000, which was more than either of my parents had ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/my-first-job-paid-well-for-a-young-attorney-i-was-making-over-50-000/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [My dad was a bartender. My mom was a cashier, a maid and a stock clerk at K-Mart. They never made it big. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/my-dad-was-a-bartender-my-mom-was-a-cashier-a-maid-and-a-stock-clerk/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Now, look, it's true, Americans do want leaders that will come to Washington, D.C. and work together to get things done, but that comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/now-look-it-s-true-americans-do-want-leaders-that-will-come-to/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I have been an underdog my whole life, both in life and in politics. We're going to do well. We're going to pick up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/i-have-been-an-underdog-my-whole-life-both-in-life-and-in-politics-we/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Certainly being governor is an important job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/certainly-being-governor-is-an-important-job/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [The conservative movement is about government playing its important yet limited role, and about not falling into the trap of believing that every problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-conservative-movement-is-about-government-playing-its-important/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [The greatest thing that we can do for the world is be America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-greatest-thing-that-we-can-do-for-the-world-is-be-america/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Our people want jobs. They don't want a safety net as a way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/our-people-want-jobs-they-don-t-want-a-safety-net-as-a-way-of-life/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I believe that every single human being is entitled to the protection of our laws, whether they can vote or not. Whether they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/i-believe-that-every-single-human-being-is-entitled-to-the-protection/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I don't measure success by how many buildings have my name on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/i-don-t-measure-success-by-how-many-buildings-have-my-name-on-it/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Any time you can degrade or take away the top leadership of an organization, it's a positive step forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/any-time-you-can-degrade-or-take-away-the-top-leadership-of-an/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) [Explore all 649 Marco Rubio quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) ## More Automation quotes > [“But it will make mistakes," she says. "Hadoop will probably get us from a hundred thousand buildings down to, like, five thousand." "So we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sloan/but-it-will-make-mistakes-she-says-hadoop-will-probably-get-us-from-a/) [Robin Sloan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sloan/) > [If cheap immigrant labor is made unavailable, employers can hire Americans at a higher wage, or replace low-wage immigrant workers with technology and automation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-c-ting/if-cheap-immigrant-labor-is-made-unavailable-employers-can-hire/) [Jan C. Ting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-c-ting/) > [Life in this society being, at best, an utter bore and no aspect of society being at all relevant to women, there remains to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-solanas/life-in-this-society-being-at-best-an-utter-bore-and-no-aspect-of/) [Valerie Solanas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-solanas/) > [I think the automation of vision is a much bigger deal than the invention of perspective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-paglen/i-think-the-automation-of-vision-is-a-much-bigger-deal-than-the/) [Trevor Paglen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-paglen/) > [Many Western nations have made significant gains through automation and operational excellence, while emerging markets rely on ever-increasing numbers of workers. Each will improve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/many-western-nations-have-made-significant-gains-through-automation/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [“Best4Automation is the industry marketplace, which combines all the advantages of a modern on-line shop with the fast logistics of large manufacturers. Our well-known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/best4automation/best4automation-is-the-industry-marketplace-which-combines-all-the/) Best4automation > [“Automation is cost cutting by tightening the corners and not cutting them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haresh-sippy/automation-is-cost-cutting-by-tightening-the-corners-and-not-cutting/) [Haresh Sippy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haresh-sippy/) > [And a revolution of automation finds machines replacing men in the mines and mills of America, without replacing their incomes or their training or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/and-a-revolution-of-automation-finds-machines-replacing-men-in-the/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [When the manufacturing decline began in earnest in 2001, the main culprits were the offshoring of jobs to China, with which we have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-m-daley/when-the-manufacturing-decline-began-in-earnest-in-2001-the-main/) [William M. Daley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-m-daley/) > [To be sure, robotics are not the only job killers out there, with outsourcing stealing far more gigs than automation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-lyons/to-be-sure-robotics-are-not-the-only-job-killers-out-there-with/) [Daniel Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-lyons/) > [I see three forces militating in favor of growing inequality: increasing measurement of worker value added, automation through smart software, and globalization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/i-see-three-forces-militating-in-favor-of-growing-inequality/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [Our whole economy and society is already being changed by the fact that we have increasing unemployment, mass unemployment and that's what we're facing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gemma-chan/our-whole-economy-and-society-is-already-being-changed-by-the-fact/) [Gemma Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gemma-chan/) > [Look at trade and automation: two competing but slightly overlapping forces in the shrinking of the duration of jobs right now. 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