The Briefing with Albert Mohler – December 11, 2024

Host: R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
Title: The Briefing with Albert Mohler
Description: Cultural Commentary from a Biblical Perspective
Episode Release Date: December 11, 2024

Albert Mohler delves into two prominent and morally charged issues shaping American society: the ongoing debate over the minimum wage and the pivotal role of the Supreme Court in adjudicating social controversies. Through a lens grounded in Christian and biblical worldview principles, Mohler provides an in-depth analysis of these topics, exploring their historical contexts, moral implications, and future trajectories.

1. The Minimum Wage Debate

a. Historical Context

Mohler begins by tracing the origins of the minimum wage in the United States. Established in 1938 amid the Great Depression, the federal minimum wage was introduced as a response to severe economic disparities and high unemployment rates. He notes:

"It was about 25 cents an hour. It covered a good bit of the workforce..."
(00:04)

The initial implementation aimed to prevent employers from exploiting workers by ensuring a baseline hourly wage, aligning with the broader objectives of Roosevelt's New Deal to expand federal authority and rectify economic injustices.

b. Current Status and Data

Fast forward to 2009, the federal minimum wage has remained stagnant at $7.25 per hour. Adjusted for inflation, Mohler highlights that today's equivalent minimum wage would be approximately $15 per hour. Despite this, many states and municipalities are independently raising their minimum wages:

"In Washington's state minimum hourly wage is $16.28, but in Berrien, Washington, it is going to go all the way up to $21.16..."
(Transcript Reference at 00:10:00)

This trend is further underscored by recent USA Today reports indicating numerous states and localities aiming to elevate their minimum wages to provide workers with a more substantial financial cushion.

c. Moral Arguments For and Against

Mohler presents a balanced exploration of the moral underpinnings from both sides of the minimum wage debate:

• Proponents of Raising the Minimum Wage:
  Advocates argue that increasing the minimum wage is a moral imperative to ensure workers receive fair compensation, enabling them to afford basic necessities and enhancing their quality of life.

• Opponents of Raising the Minimum Wage:
  Conversely, critics caution that higher minimum wages may lead to inflation, reduced employment opportunities, and economic instability, ultimately harming the very workers they intend to help.

"The people who are saying we need a minimum wage and we need it higher, they're seeking the good of people for whom they're making the argument... The people who argue there should not be a minimum wage... they're also making a moral argument."
(00:12:30)

d. Insights from Professor Dwight R. Lee

To deepen the discussion, Mohler references Professor Dwight R. Lee of Southern Methodist University. In his work, Lee distinguishes between two moralities at play:

• Magnanimous Morality:
  Rooted in personal relationships and intimate knowledge, this morality supports intervention to promote individual well-being within small communities or familial settings.

• Mundane Morality:
  Applicable to larger, impersonal societal structures, this morality emphasizes general principles over personalized interventions.

"Professor Lee's distinction between the two moralities is a very profitable way... of understanding how the minimum wage operates in moral terms."
(00:20:45)

e. Consequences of Raising the Minimum Wage

Mohler discusses the potential ripple effects of increasing the minimum wage, such as:

• Inflation:
  As wages rise, businesses may pass on costs to consumers, leading to higher prices for goods and services.

• Employment Challenges:
  Higher wages could deter employers from hiring, disproportionately affecting younger workers and reducing job opportunities for entry-level positions.

• Economic Disparities:
  Over time, elevated wages might contribute to wage inflation across various sectors, diminishing the purchasing power of all workers.

"Inflation robs everyone of the value of the money. But there's another reason why I find the morality of the minimum wage..."
(00:22:10)

2. The Supreme Court's Role and Recent Decisions

a. Overview of the Supreme Court's Function

Transitioning from economic policy, Mohler shifts focus to the Supreme Court's pivotal role in shaping societal norms and resolving legal controversies. He underscores the Court's function as the highest appellate body, entrusted with interpreting the Constitution and federal laws.

b. Recent Decision Not to Take Certain Cases

Highlighting a recent development, Mohler notes that the Supreme Court declined to hear cases concerning social controversies, specifically related to transgender issues and parental rights:

"Most people don't care about the future docket of the Supreme Court... Justices Decline Cases Concerning a Series of Social Controversies."
(00:35:00)

This decision reflects the Court's selective approach to case intake, often focusing on cases with significant federal implications or those resolving conflicts among lower courts.

c. Process of Case Selection

Mohler elucidates the Court's criteria for selecting cases, emphasizing that a mere majority of four out of nine justices is required to grant a writ of certiorari, thereby agreeing to hear a case:

"When the Supreme Court in conference decides to take a case... it's going to consider and eventually decide the case."
(00:30:00)

He further explains that the Court's discretion allows it to prioritize cases that address pressing constitutional questions or societal conflicts.

d. Implications of Court's Decisions on Society

The selective nature of case acceptance has profound implications:

• Judicial Philosophy:
  The composition of the Court—whether leaning conservative or liberal—greatly influences the types of cases it chooses to hear and the perspectives it brings to deliberations.

• Legislative Impact:
  The Court's decisions can either reinforce or challenge legislative actions, thereby shaping public policy and societal norms.

"It's important who is on the court... Who you have on the Court also underlines the importance of the presidency."
(00:38:30)

3. The Intersection of Morality and Economics

Mohler ties together the discussions on the minimum wage and the Supreme Court, framing both within a broader moral and Christian worldview:

• Moral Decision-Making:
  Both economic policies and judicial actions are rooted in moral judgments about what constitutes the common good and societal well-being.

• Role of Government and Individuals:
  The balance between government intervention (e.g., setting minimum wages) and individual freedoms (e.g., free-market transactions) reflects differing moral philosophies.

• Influence of Voters:
  The composition of the Supreme Court and legislative bodies is a direct outcome of electoral decisions, highlighting the moral responsibility of voters in shaping societal institutions.

"We're making moral decisions all the time and so are those around us... a collision of opposed moralities."
(00:40:00)

4. The Importance of Civic Engagement

Concluding the episode, Mohler emphasizes the critical role of civic participation in influencing both economic policies and the judicial landscape:

• Voting Responsibility:
  Every vote contributes to determining the ideological balance of the Supreme Court and legislative bodies, thereby affecting future policy directions.

• Presidential Influence:
  The presidency holds significant sway in nominating justices, underscoring the interconnectedness of different branches of government.

"A lot more is at stake in every election than you know, because eventually you can draw a straight arrow from your vote... down the question of what question the Supreme Court does and doesn't take."
(00:45:00)

Conclusion

Albert Mohler's December 11, 2024 episode of The Briefing offers a comprehensive exploration of the minimum wage debate and the Supreme Court's critical role in addressing social controversies. By intertwining economic analysis with moral philosophy, Mohler underscores the profound impact of these issues on American society. He calls on listeners to recognize the moral dimensions of policy decisions and the importance of active civic engagement in shaping a just and equitable society.

For a deeper dive into these topics and more, listeners are encouraged to visit Albert Mohler's website, follow him on Twitter, and explore resources related to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College.