Minimum Wage

[kidicarus13]

Get a different job if you don't like yours. Work harder, earn more.

BINGO!

I agree a lot of people don't deserve more then minimum wage. Problem is you can't get an apt, car insurance and put food on the table for minimum wage. I have heard the average age for people to move out of the parents house is now like 28? Then a lot move back in by age 40. We are going the way of the multiple family's living in one house, thats gonna be the only way to have money soon. Everything goes up every year except my fucking pay check.

You do what you have to do to get by within the law and while using your moral compass. Just because most people move out of their parents' house after high school or college doesn't mean it's right for every individual. If you have to live with your parents until you're 32 to save up some money than so be it. If you have to live with 2 roommates for a few years, that's the way it goes. Ride the bus or your bike until you can get a car. Figured it out! This new generation of kids expects the same lifestyle as what they see people on TV or in People magazine living. Reality is the life you are living. Don;t like it?! YOU NEED TO CHANGE SOMETHING IN YOUR LIFE. Hey kids (and some adults), LIFE IS NOT EASY AND NOTHING COMES WITHOUT A LITTLE STRUGGLE! Now get to work.

[Batteriesnare]

Very interesting. I've spent the last three weeks looking for good employees (wearing the HR hat in addition to all my other duties), and a lot of the people I've spoke with mention minimum wage - and their willingness to work at this level. I agree that minimum wage is a starting point and shouldn't be counted on to support you as a career, but if that is what the company is willing to pay for that job, that's what your time is worth there. Whether or not you agree with that is completely your choice, and you can look elsewhere - but you are by no means entitled to a comfortable living!

[Flatline]

I have never work minimum wage, even in high school I was making $13.25/hr. I never chose to work where I valued myself or employers valued me at that level.

Problem is that in the current system if you get paid minimum wage (and many people will/can never make more) they have dependency on the system, lower it and dependency increases. This occurs in ways people don't even realize. Don't have $20 to get to the hospital, take a $800+ ambulance ride because an indigent program or medicare will pick that up!

Some people are going to be dependent on the system no matter what.

[Rucker61]

Government statistics on minimum wage demographics:

http://www.bls.gov/cps/minwage2012.htm

Only about 5% of hourly paid workers made minimum wage or below. Half of those are age 25 or below. Why is this a problem?

Feedback from the Economist:

http://www.economist.com/news/united...e-up-economics

Notably: "a higher minimum wage costs some low-skilled workers their jobs while helping those who keep them. Mr Neumark is particularly dismissive of the notion that a higher minimum wage can boost the economy, and indeed that is not a claim the White House makes."

[PugnacAutMortem]

My last paycheck was Oct 2011.

I don't mean to derail the thread...but how do you live with this kind of a situation? I've always wanted to start my own business, but the whole no paycheck thing is kind of a big hurdle (especially with small kids in the picture).

[Dave_L]

For 15/hr, here is what I'll expect with my next visit to McD's. I'd like to be greeted at the door with a smile. I'd like to be escorted to my freshly cleaned table where I patiently wait for a server to ask for my order. Then, they bring my 10 nugget meal, with ice cold coke, to my table while asking how many BBQ sauces i want. Yes, I do want more than 2 sauces. After the fact, Id like the server to come over, clear my tray , refill my drink and ask if there's anything else I would like. No more rude, incompetent workers. No more Spanish. No more forgetting stuff in my order. No more messy drink stations. No more crap on tables. Want to be paid more? Go earn it. Unions is the last thing we need here

[Great-Kazoo]

I don't mean to derail the thread...but how do you live with this kind of a situation? I've always wanted to start my own business, but the whole no paycheck thing is kind of a big hurdle (especially with small kids in the picture).

Overhead, lease, ins, equipment (rental, or purchase) to name a few. i was self employed for 5 years. In that time taxes, SS etc took their more than fair share. Add to that cost of commuting , vehicle upkeep, , the list goes on.

You have a family, i suggest 3-5 yrs of saved money to cover income while you build your business. Include another 2 yrs of income for the unexpected, sickness, fire 2 buildings down takes out the whole complex, on & on.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Well the laugh will be on them ... double minimum wage and half of them will be instantly unemployed. Dumbasses.

Start at the bottom and either work your way up, or to a better paying job.
Today's young American worker is going to find them self in the same job market as younger folks in England, Greece & France. UNEMPLOYED.

Yes.

Or, alternately, give it to them and the price of everything rises - putting them no better and likely worse off than they were. Oops! But hey, it is a bigger number!

[Rooskibar03]

http://youtu.be/4zNoxjUUyec



cant embed from phone

[Ridge]

Minimum wage is basically "I'd pay you less if I could, but I can't."

That said, minimum wage jobs were meant for high school and college students, people who were still living with their parents and with little to no bills. But with over 70% of new jobs in the past 3 years being minimum wage jobs, things have changed.