Celebrate Christmas By Raising the Minimum Wage

[smurphy]

Why don't we just get rid of a minimum wage alltogether and bring back slavery?

There were plenty of slave-owners who claimed they could not make a living if they had to pay the labor. Were we supposed to feel sorry for them and allow that continue?

I would think that supposed conservatives who don't like having to support those in working full-time in poverty in their taxes would want a raising of the minimum wage to over $7 so that they would no longer have to foot the bill.

I have no sympathy for any business that really and truly can't function unless they have to pay people so little. They are either being too greedy at the top, are incompetent, or simply trying to make a particular enterprise successful that isn't meant to be.

 

[djv]

Smurphy slavery gone? Are you sure? What do you think some mexicans are. You see they work for less then 3 or 4 bucks. I guess it's wrong for good American workers to think there worth more then 5 bucks.

 

[dawgball]

Raising the minimum will actually save the middle class some tax money. People working full-time at minumum wage get Earned Income tax credits (paid by the rest of us). It supplements what is acknowledged to be an unliveable wage. If that pay were up to the $7 range then EIC would no longer be necessary - thus the rest of us wouldn't have to supplement the parts of the wage that are insufficient.

In theory this sounds good, but I want this thread brought back up if this does come to fruition because I have a feeling that the Republicans will be getting shunned again for trying to eliminate the EICs in place and the Democrats will be fighting for keeping them. That's just a guess.

kosar -- that was some funny shit!

 

[ImFeklhr]

As are most social/economic issues, minimum wage should be a local issue!

Here in San Francisco, the minimum wage is $8.25(California's is $6.75). I think they phased it in over a year or two, and gave small business owners extra time.

Additionally the exact size of your business 0-10 workers, 10-100, 100+) dictated how much you must pay.

I'm not a big fan of government tinkering with these type of business decisions, but if it's going to happen, it doesn't make much sense to handle this nationally. Let communities decide what is best for themselves.

 

[dawgball]

Additionally the exact size of your business 0-10 workers, 10-100, 100+) dictated how much you must pay.

I've never heard of a system like this. That is a great idea on this issue. Damnit! I hate agreeing with the Californians!

 

[ferdville]

if you don't want to make minimum wage, go to school and get an education. Got to a trade school and learn a trade. If you do neither, get a job and work your ass off and show up on time and work any shift you can. You won't be making minimum wage with that attitude. Why do so many people think that they are owed a living at a certain wage? Supply and demand goes for the work place as well.

 

[smurphy]

i appreciate your viewpoint and to a certain degree agree with it, ferdville. unfortunatley, the reality is that not everyone can get a great education and a large amount of our people will always be considered "labor". it's just realistic math. i believe anyone working fulltime should be able to make a living.

ferdville - does it bother you that we actually pay the difference for these folks working fulltime below the poverty line through taxes? can you see a possible better solution at them having a higher wage and the rest of us not covering that extra amount?

 

[larryowen]

Murphy then tell us why people CANT get an education instead of deciding not to.

 

[djv]

There are not enough schools to educate all those who wish to go past high school. Believe it or not we would need many more colleges. And of course we need some folks to just be those Larry. Like painters and carpenters and plumbers and auto mechanics. Even appliance service men and apple pickers and hamburger flippers.
Your easy out just go to more school works everything out is BS. Do you know why your here safe and our soldiers are over in Iraq. Some are getting less then 8 bucks. So instead of being so dam dump they should have skipped military duty and just went to
school.

 

[dawgball]

Like painters and carpenters and plumbers and auto mechanics. Even appliance service men

none of these workers make minimum wage.

 

[djv]

Dawg your smart enough to see the point. Education does not alway mean a good job.

 

[smurphy]

Let's imagine EVERYONE has masters degrees and are dilligent workers.

...Well, some of these phd's will still have to pick the fruits, wash the dishes, clean the toilets, etc etc.

 

[ImFeklhr]

The conversation is starting to address the myth of education/college.

I'd say it's nearly useless (except perhaps as a life/soclialization experience) for half the kids that go to college. It HAS turned most mid-lower end Universities into glorified high schools; Diploma factories that coddle poor students along to satisfy some politcal or emotional need just ruin it for those who truly need that education.
Do we really need college for ALL in a service economy? It just turns the first 4 years of college into a frustrating first step for those who end up HAVING to go on to get a graduate degree. You now basically must spend another 2-3 years getting a Masters degree to have an education that truly impresses anyone.

"We" should be emphasizing trade schools and other useful training for those who will never use a college education anyway. And turn Universities back into places of impressive higher learning that actually accomplish something. Start churning out more engineering students and other educational specialties other countries are starting to kick our butts in.

Put the focus in high school back on finishing education there (in California 1 in 3 kids don't even graduate). So the problem of not enough colleges to go around for everyone should take a huge backseat to making high school comprehensive and successful again.

That is all.

 

[djv]

ImFeklhr, good point. Would be nice to see higher high school numbers. And point above on trade schools is so right. There as important and in many case more then general universities.
We will always have 4 or 5 million low pay jobs. Many even use them to get started in life. Heck pay them a little more. Five bucks a hour is 1980 numbers.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Common sense tips on getting job paying more than minimum wage.

Finish high school--its free and we're footing the bill.

If you get nothing else from 12 years in school--at learn how to communicate in English.

Get out of bed before noon when looking for job.

When you go to interview where turtle neck sweater and gloves if needed to cover any tatoo's.

--don't greet interviewer with Yo whats goin down--do we have to take drug test for this job (see communications above)
--when same offers hand at end of interview--just simple shake is all thats necessary--forget the jukin and jivin or flashing gang signals.

Do's on interview--haves shoes tied if applicable--underwear means just that (under not visable). Be pleasant and honest.

 

[Palehose]

How about the people that deserve a raise and work hard enough to do so get one ?? What wrong with that ? Funny when I have a good year I get a good raise when I dont have a good year i get a cost of living raise at best gee go figure ...maybe I should run and tell the ACLU aye ?

 

[djv]

No Pale you should have a sit down with your boss and say what can I do better for you.

 

[Chadman]

No, Palehose, you should quit and go become a batboy for the Chisox... :walk:

 

[Palehose]

No, Palehose, you should quit and go become a batboy for the Chisox... :walk:

Hmm now that I would consider :mj14: :clap: :mj07:

That would be the "WORLD CHAMPION CHICAGO WHITESOX "! please address them in proper fashion

 

[ferdville]

Of course college is not for everyone. But in California we have all but abandoned trade schools. There are no more wood shops, metals shops, graphing, auto shops, etc. And W's assinine "No Child Left Behind" only made it worse.

That in itself shows how idiotic the politicians can be. Where I teach the average kid is about 80 credits behind and is involved with gangs. Of course, we have to abide by "No Child Left Behind" and try to get these kids graduated and able to pass the state exams. God forbid we teach them any life skills.

College is not for all and if you are not too bright you can still succeed in college. You just won't get a decent job and then wonder why.