There seems to be a lot of people here that don't really understand economics. It is impossible to raise minimum wage without it increasing prices across the board.
Such increases are small and don't come close to wiping out the beneficial effects of the minimum wage increase--that's the whole point. Working people at the low end of the scale get more spending power. Simple. Are you sure
you understand economics?
Also, these CEO's that keep getting mentioned and are demonized here worked their asses off in both experience and education to get those positions; they were not given those jobs, they earned them through hard work. Nobody is owed anything! If you want to be successful and get ahead my advice is to work your ass off; it should be tried much more (than bitching about minimum wage)! If you want to bitch about minimum wage and how your burger king job should pay more; I suggest you try harder.
This is a joke, right? You don't really believe that most CEOs started from the bottom, never got a helping hand, just worked their way up out of their own gumption and fortitude?
If all else fails and you can't make a living; how about starting your own business, quite bitching about how unfair everything is and make something of yourself. Losers bitch, winners make shit happen and make a difference.
Given how many new businesses fail, this is probably the worst advice you could give anyone. "Risk it all on the exceedingly rare chance you might be successful!" This is also terrible advice in general: if everyone was running their own business, there'd be nobody doing the work at the low end of the scale.
It's just a vicious circle, this year I got a 2.8% pay raise and my cost of health insurance went up 3.5%. Since I entered the job market over 30 years ago the cost of living has gone up more every year than my pay increase. Give the burger flippers who aspire to do nothing more there $15 and they will still bitch and suck off of Uncle Sam's teet. If you want to make a good wage, get off your butt and get a worthy job that will pay a good wage. Life sucks, it sucks even more if you're lazy!
Uhhhh, $15 an hour would be coming from the employer, not Uncle Sam. lolwut
I have no issue with CEOs getting more than the average worker. However, it should not be hundreds of percentage points more.
My mother works at a major bank. She gets a 2% pay increase every year. This amount does not stay ahead of inflation.
Not all workers who work in a minimum wage are lazy. There are many workers who find themselves in this situation because of life circumstances. Some of them are single mothers with children. They may be working multiple jobs to feed and house their families.
I just think it's asinine that we want people to use minimum wage jobs as stepping stones to something better while at the same time making those jobs pay so little you actually
can't use them as a stepping stone to
anything, because they're poverty wages and this is a country where one unexpected accident or serious illness can destroy your life in a heartbeat.
You totally missed it!
What I'm saying is you'll get out of life what you put into it. If you want to flip burgers the rest of your life, suck it up for a crappy wage. I pushed myself and I make good money, I don't and never have collected handouts, and the last time I made minimum wage I was 16 years old. Man the F*#% up!
Ah yes, the classic "I did it, and thus so can anyone," as if one individual's personal experience represents the totality of possibilities. I always wonder how some people grow up to have such tunnel vision.
With all due respect, your opinion means about as much to me as apparently mine to yours. I don't really appreciate your attitude towards me or my opinion. Great way to convince people by attacking those who have a different opinion. I've notice that tread over the recent years that debates really no longer exists; they are replaced by attacks of dissenting opinions. It is a poor and ineffective technique. Quite frankly it pretty much negates your argument because I for one won't read whatever you wright after you attack me. Nice work Moderator!
It's alright, we don't need to change your mind, just get ready to open your wallet.
The system is not "rigged" against the poor.
Actually it is.
It's a fantasy to believe that an increase in minimum wage will not affect prices for goods and services. Where do you think the money for the increase wages come from; Santa Claus? No, it comes from increasing prices for both goods and services which makes it hard for people on minimum wage to afford the increase in prices.
Since it apparently has to be said over and over: price increases from minimum wage hikes are minimal; they are known to have a temporary but noticeable brake effect on hiring. Since we're currently at full employment, that's not a huge deal. I guarantee you the prices don't come close to doubling, which is clearly what you and others are implying.
There is no magic bullet. Life is hard and it can suck for everyone.
It's funny how people who've already "made it" love to say this, with the implication that "life doesn't suck for me, but too bad that it sucks for you, don't expect me to do anything about it."
The only solution is to create (or retain) good paying jobs in the U.S.
You know, if the minimum wage is raised, then a lot more jobs become "good paying jobs."
The average age of fast-food workers has increased because there are fewer decent jobs forcing older people to work at those sort of places for low wages. The trend will continue until it is beneficial for companies to operate in the U.S. as opposed to out-sourcing to other countries. It's not really rocker science.
The jobs that have left aren't coming back. You keep saying those opposing you are talking fantasy--I'm afraid that's you. You're basically saying, "we can't raise the minimum wage, instead we must wait for this magical fantasy scenario to happen that doesn't actually happen in real life." Companies that are outsourcing to China and other countries with cheap labor are never going to bring those jobs back at the levels necessary to reverse current trends. So we need to give up waiting and work on correcting the situation in other ways--like making sure people at the low end of the income scale get some help.
Raising minimum wage will not accomplish anything without increasing the number of good paying jobs.
Yeah, I'm sure people bringing home more money than they did before will agree.
LOL, wow!
I am happy you guys got an education; good for you. Although it's been over 30 years since I got my degree I still like to think I am an intelligent person capable of reason and learning new things. The simple truth is I am basing my beliefs on what I have seen and experienced over the last 50+ years. I am a professional and own a successful business and right now employ about a dozen people. The people who work hard and do a good job for me are rewarded by increased wages and benefits. Those that don't; don't last long.
How do you determine who is working hard and doing a good job vs. who isn't? Not a troll question, this is a notorious problem in business management.
I have always treated employees with respect and treated them fairly so this world that you guys obviously live in is far different than mine. It certainly doesn't make me wrong or you right; it's just your experience and belief which is diametrically opposed to mine. I do think it's sad that because I don't agree with your assessments that you resort to insults. I am neither intimidated or impressed by your education, your views which seem woefully limited or your dogma.
I hope I am wrong and increasing minimum wage solves everyone's problems; although I am sure that is a pipe dream. Good luck with your future endeavors!!
I would trust well-researched data over someone saying "this wasn't my experience so it must not be a problem."
