[quote]batman730 wrote:
[quote]BrickHead wrote:
[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
McDonald’s can afford it.
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Of course they can afford it. But unfortunately, if some bloated CEO does decide that his employees deserve some dignity and shouldn’t be in the pathetic position in which they have to go to the government for food and housing, he might not be able to build that new wing on his mansion or buy that new McLaren. A pity.
But wait, “companies exist to make a profit”. And, here comes my favorites: “No one owes anyone anything,” and, “What are you, a communist?” And can’t forget, “But if they get that increased wage, they thereby won’t be motivated to do something ‘better’”. AS IF someone initially aiming for med school, or perhaps even a mid-skilled position such as nursing or teaching, would not follow through because they can make fifteen bucks per hour buttering bagels.
Lovely.
I don’t believe every expense should be paid for simply because it can be afforded, but when it comes to keeping a human being alive I believe it should be so because a human being in America can’t remain alive on seven to eight bucks per hour without help from someone else.
But hey, I am letting my feelings get involved in this, feelings for people who need food and housing to stay alive, not just treating them as economic units to be overworked, used, and exploited, and who in turn have to rely on others and the government.
I personally have never faced poverty, have a decent profession, and am working on developing a spare time business, but I have a heart for those less fortunate than me and can empathize with their situations. The first time I saw a homeless man at age about seven years old, I could not get over the sight of him and needed my mom to calm me down later in the night.
This does not mean I condone people not pulling their own weight in nearly all cases. In my profession I am exposed on a daily basis to the blood suckers and parasites of this country, people who will never lift a foot or hand for anything! However, I am also exposed to many poor and unfortunate people who wound up in their situations to no fault of their own.
No one in their right mind believes fast food workers and dish washers should be paid the same as tradesmen, and mid to high skilled professionals, but it would be nice to see people not facing poverty–DANGEROUS poverty that is–because they do an honest job, whether that’s serving my cup of coffee, buttering bagels, flipping burgers, stacking shelves, or holding my table at a restaurant.
And the economic landscape in which thousands of qualified, upright, decent–albeit perhaps not the brightest or most talented but not stupid–American adults are now working in fast food and hospitality because of the lack of jobs in this country at the present time. So fast food and other hospitality jobs are generally not just entry level positions being filled by high school and college students on spring or summer break or in between or after classes, people who indeed naturally might not be independent because of their age and spot in life.
I’d also like to see how people who are worried about their next meal are going to “up their skill set”. Show me a person working two to three minimum wage or low paying jobs working twelve to sixteen hours a day are going to increase their skill set.
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From age 10 onward, I grew up with my mom supporting us on a job at McD’s. Dad was out of work, mom had no marketable skills so that’s what was available. She started entry level and eventually worked her way into management, due mostly to outstanding work ethic and attention to detail. This is not a hypothetical for me. This actually happened. I appreciate and share your compassion and empathy for the less fortunate and I am a big believer in the equitable distribution of wealth.
We did with less (a lot less perhaps) than some, but I don’t remember my childhood being especially dismal or devoid of dignity. I never had the “right” clothes, the newest video game console, we didn’t eat out much and family holidays were non existant. However there was always a roof over our heads, the lights stayed on, and I never recall going to bed or school on an empty stomach. We sure as hell weren’t standing in bread lines or beholden to government assistance of any kind (beyond income related tax breaks/credits etc).
Flash forward to my adult life. I eventually was fortunate to find a trade that agreed with me (at least for the time being), and through work ethic and attention to detail I have climbed to near the top of my field, at an operational level. What I do is fairly risky, highly specialized and rather difficult. My earning potential is 100% dependent on what our clients are willing to pay for the volume of work I can accomplish per unit of time.
After 10 years I earn a little less than 3 times the minimum wage for my area. I have pretty much maxed out what I can make as an employee in the private sector in my profession and area. The actual revenue I generate for my company (not to mention the effort I put forth) is easily 3 times (probably closer to 5 or 7 times) that of the kid who always forgets to put the straws and napkins in my McD’s bag or the nice old guy who says “Hi” when I walk into Wal-Mart. Sorry, it just is. I’m not worth more on a basic human level, but on a financial level I am.
As I said earlier, forcing corporations to pay $15/hr for unskilled labour will, IMO, only end up hurting the middle class when inflation kicks in to pick up the slack. Mrs Jones will not be inclined to pay more for my services just because all the basics got more expensive. In all likelihood quite the opposite, and since the govenment can’t force her to pay, I’ll just end up getting the shaft. That is not really an equitable distribution of wealth either.
I accept that this is a bit overly simplistic and that the “free” market isn’t free at all. I don’t know what the answer is, but I don’t think a higher minimum wage is the socioeconomic panacea some people make it out to be.
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I appreciate this moving and heartfelt post.