You may be right, but that does not make it right. Help me understand. Every ten years or so we have this major conversation about raising the minimum federally or at the state level to reduce poverty and help Americans. And every time, we do at some point raise the minimum wage .. over and over. But can you explain why there is still poverty in the USA and why the middle class is shrinking and why the lower class is growing? I thought raising the various minimum wage rates via mandate was supposed to alleviate all this. If it's so good, why don't we just make the minimum wage $100 hour, then we'll all be living in paradise with no worries, right? To me, it seems (is obvious, really) the more government intervenes in American lives the more the lower class swells with out-of-work people. You can't tell me I'm wrong.
If the minimum wage was raised with cost of living index like a politician then the periods of stagnate wages would end. The choice is simple pay poverty wages and supplement them with welfare to benifit the company's or pay a liveable wage and stop wasting tax payers money on welfare. Corporate America is smart. It has you helping pay its wages and taxes while making billions. If you can't afford to pay a living wage you have no right to be in buisness
"Living wage"? WTH is a "living wage" in your mind? Can't really have this discussion until this term is defined and applicable across all 50 states and for every type of individual ... assuming we are supposed to be all unique. Or is it you think we should all be "the same"? Little worker bee drones? Defined by government, to function solely as little government "workers" being taxed into an early grave (but earning a "living wage" mind you), after a mediocre lifetime, at best? Please define what is a comfortable home (for all) adequate groceries and dining costs (for all) number of cars in the family (for all) type of college that is expected (for all) adequate knocking around money (for all) proper health costs (for all) proper family size (for all) adequate rainy day/emergency budget (for all) Type of and length of vacation (for all) I was brought up to understand you lived according to your means at the time ... given your current station in life. Are we all supposed to be stuck in entry-level jobs our entire lifetimes? Or are we all supposed to go straight from high-school into highly skilled, well-paying jobs? i.e. Are some just supposed to have the inherent knowledge at birth on how to perform beating open heart surgery, so they can avoid all the "BS" schooling and lean, tough times and begin earning $200k first year out of high school or college? I don't want my family or kids entering the workplace to be told what a "good living wage" is. That is for them to determine, not you. I want them to understand life is a ladder you must climb by improving yourself and your skills and your work ethic if you want happiness and security towards the end, or you can be lazy and live a life of abject mediocrity on your "living wage". SMH My larger point is, we should ALL get out of life what we are willing to put into it. No more, no less. There should be NO minimum wage and let the market sort it out. I promise you nobody is going to take jobs today offering $7.00/hr and no benefits. And if they do? Then apparently that is all they are in fact worth in their mind so let them be. And apparently the business does not care either and I've found bad businesses rarely live long. If they won't take care of their employees, they won't take care of their customers. And business laws will correct that situation sooner rather then later.
We already had a country with no minimum wage and the government created it because buisness will take advantage of the need to make money to survive. Greed is a powerful thing. In your dream world their would be no regulations in reality we would have a society of slaves, poisoned water, earthquakes nation wide from over fracking, pesticide in our food. We are the government and this is a war to keep control of it out of the hands of a greedy few.you might not like regulations but they benifit you. I could go on for hours with examples on how regulations like minimum wage is needed. I'm all for free market with basic controls but if you let it free it will be twisted and controlled by the wealthy and not in a good way. The putting profits above the value of human life happens daily and we rely on our government to protect the masses. Studies set the poverty line and Noone who's willing to work 40 hours a week deserves to live below it.. if you choose to work 60 hours you should be able to get ahead not still be in poverty. That reality is faced by millions of people.
In my situation, I wanted my own place and at least 1 new vehicle by the time I hit my mid 20's. Knew that wasn't gonna happen if I stayed working as a yard labourer at an auto parts/industrial supply store for $8/hr. So I went to the oil patch and gave it hell for 7 years right up to the recent crash. I was brought up to never expect anyone to come and assist you, because they usually won't. You and you alone are responsible for the choices you make in life, not anyone else.
So I guess Bomoto seeks out the most expensive lawn-care outfit he can find when he needs his lawn mowed? I guess Bomoto goes to the local grocer who has the most expensive grocery items? That's a real grand idea to have, that you'll pay your employees more then they are perhaps worth, no matter the quality of work/performance. But until you've dealt with immature kids and lazy adults from an employer's standpoint, then perhaps you should reserve judgement about how they choose to pay them. Again, we're talking about ENTRY-LEVEL and non-skilled jobs here. Why do you want to demean those who've advanced beyond these positions by closing the wage gap [by mandate] and making their hard work, now worth less? Yes, some employers will "take advantage" of people and offer as little as possible. But that's why we are blessed to live in a free nation and to have free will given by our creator. Nobody is forced to endure anything they don't like. Your right to expect to be paid "well" is no more important than a businessman's right to decide what he feels is a good starting wage in their business sector, in their current business climate. And what's next? We decide government should also be allowed to tell employers where to cap wages? I mean if everyone is making a "living wage", then obviously they are happy in life, and why should others have more then them? You've decided what it takes to make a person/family comfortable, so why would it be okay for others to make twice as much? Well, no matter. $15 min wage is coming and soon we will all be living in a world of sunshine, unicorns, and lollipops because some have decided that is the "magic number" And business owners will all see their evil profits dwindle and dry up and that will make Bomoto happy, and forgetting the fact this nation is built on small business and many of his neighbors are these "evil business owners who employ slave tactics to operate their business" down on Main Street in Small Town USA
I agree that we as individuals are responsible for our successes and/or failures. My concern is that the opportunities for our successes are dwindling, particularly in the trucking sector. I'm not saying I have the answers, but something has to change.
If you want things to change, vote for politicians who will work towards pro-growth policies. This notion of doing things that hampers and stifles and discourages business growth (ACA, more EPA BS, higher taxes, more business hurdles and obstacles to navigate, etc), then expecting jobs to magically appear is insane. Until we have a government that is again friendly to industry and manufacturing, we will never advance beyond where we are today. I'm not saying allow business to pollute again and work people 80 hours in the mines for no over-time. I'm saying STOP berating smart business people who are successful, and threatening to steal their earned wealth due to success with an idea or a process. That success did not come before a lot of failure happened.
Interesting point of view, I agree with some of it. But, aren't the lobbyist moneys and corporate donations out of control as it is? Big business is contributing to the gubment now and we're not seeing any results such a job creation, growth, etc. Again, not saying I have the answers. Also not trying to be combative towards you, just giving another opinion.
