Minium Wage/ McD's/ Sense of Entitlement

[bdcp]

BCP what are you talking about where did I say someone is dependant on the government. I said my company announce is cutting the pension benefit. Sorry sweetie but that is not dependent. My employee is benefiting from me. they work me 50 hours a week. I have fulfilled my part of my contract with them. yes I earned my pension. what's that got to do with your retirement. I didn't say a blessed thing about it.

I did not say 70% of the people are dependent on the government.

Please do not start the usually rant of I'm paying for someone to be on welfare. It's old, stale, untrue and has nothing to do with what I said.

Yeesh.

LOL Where did I say 70% were dependent on the Gov? I asked where you got the 70% number? Anytime the Gov is involved in setting a "minimum wage" they are creating a dependency. Um, you said your company is no longer offering retirement, right? Wow

We all "earned" a lot, but the Gov is taking a lot more (and I work for the Fed Gov). We are ALL paying for welfare. How is that stale or untrue? My DH has relatives on welfare who refuse to work. I think I have a stake in that.

Does everyone realize that in the 1950's the average family paid 0 taxes? The reasons were #1, communities helped each other and #2 if you couldn't pay the bills, you worked more than one job. We have a lazy, entitled work force today. The fact is the Fed Gov wants to be a nanny state, keep people dependent and take a lot of your earned income. The idea of fast food workers making double what they do today is completely UNSUSTAINABLE. Why is that so hard to understand. I was an Econ major, were you?

When people start thinking with their minds and not their emotions, we will be able to fix some of this. If everyone would help their family get "started" we wouldn't have the issues we do today. No one ever promised that everyone would be wealthy. Heck, the Bible (and the Constitution) even addresses this. There will always be poverty, war, etc. There is a lot of opportunity in this country, but as long as we have those that think they are 'entitled", it will be an uphill battle.

 

[luvsJack]

Who should make minimum wage?

No one should stay there without any hope of their current job getting them above that amount.

Um, a lot of us did work those type jobs while in hs/college (and our sons did too). I'm so tired of the bleeding hearts who think that no one can make it. That's why we have so many co-dependents in this country today. Your second paragraph is crap.

How is the second paragraph crap? You really think it happens that often?

No one has said that "no one" can make it. But the fact remains that regardless of YOUR situation and life, there are those that are stuck in circumstances or get knocked down into circumstances that put them in the employment of fast food.

You keep saying things like "people should move" but you fail to answer when we tell you that it isn't a possibility for everyone.

Eliza states how retirement plans are getting knocked out from under people and you tell us how you made wonderful choices and everyone else should too? Everyone doesn't have the same choices. I am not saying that everyone doesn't have A choice, but not all the same. Besides for some that are finding themselves working at McD's after retirement are a little late in hearing your advice.

 

[Neelloc]

The majority of DH and I's "retirement" is 401k's and savings. We have never been dependent on our employer or the gov. Where'd you get the 70% number? I have family and friends all across the country and they are all doing fine. The ones that aren't have chosen to be dependent on the Gov., which means those of us that pay taxes. As I've said previously, that is unsustainable. Our current administration is creating this dependent society and a lot of people/supporters have their head in the sand.

This is an interesting topic on a board where almost everyone goes to WDW once per year....

I'm addressing your statement that I bolded in red. I'm pretty sure those people who are making minimum wages are still paying taxes. I should know. I work part time for a retailer. Taxes are taken out of my paychecks.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Little newsflash from 2013 in Jersey, $15 an hour, not a lot of money. You can make that kind of money and still be struggling. Especially if you are a single parent. This thread made my heart freeze a little bit. Must be nice to not have to work with the dregs of society.

It's not a lot of money anywhere, but on a side note, our economy was never intended for single parents to be able to "make it" on their own.

In days past, women stayed home. This created a short supply of workers, so pay was good. As women entered the workplace, the glut of workers put all the power in the employers' hands. Wages went down, and now for most middle income families (and especially low income families), it takes two salaries to run a household.

 

[eliza61]

LOL Where did I say 70% were dependent on the Gov? I asked where you got the 70% number? Anytime the Gov is involved in setting a "minimum wage" they are creating a dependency. Um, you said your company is no longer offering retiremnt, right? Wow

We all "earned" a lot, but the Gov is taking a lot more. We are paying for welfare. How is that stale? My DH has relatives on welfare who refuse to work. I think I have a stake in that.

then don't quote me. Yes new employees will not have retirement. that was to show that benefits are being chipped away.

My pension is not an "entitlement". my social security is not "entitlement" I worked my tooshie off for it.

tough but yep I will be collecting it every thing I have earned over 35 years of working.
This topic had nothing to do with welfare. You brought that up and yes the "poor me" whining is stale.

yes I'm sure you dh does have relatives that won't work. One thing I've learned about the dis, everyone knows some one on welfare who is living in a mansion, going to wdw and staying deluxe and buying steaks for dinner, while they themselves live in a 900 square foot tiny house, drives a 10 year old car and is lucky if they can stay at a value.

We've heard it 50,000 times before. I got it.

 

[Planogirl]

Our economy seems to be becoming more and more service oriented. People used to be able to make a decent living working in manufacturing but those days are over and I imagine that many of the less skilled blue collar workers ended up having to take service jobs. As already mentioned not everyone is college material and many can't be trained in one of the skilled areas.

What should they do? It's true that no one can live off of most service industry salaries. Truthfully I don't know what the answer it.

 

[usd2bmd]

$7.25 per hour X 40 hours per week X 52 weeks= $15,000.00 per year GROSS

http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/12poverty.shtml

$15.00 per hour X 40 hours per week X 52 weeks+= $31,200 per year GROSS

National poverty level for family of 4 in 2012: $23,000.00

I live in Buffalo, NY, which probably has a similar cost of living to St. Louis, but I know my state taxes are higher. I sincerely doubt that one could afford to pay for rent, food, utilities, medical expenses, transportation costs, etc on minimum wage. Even if it was 2 adults making minimum wage, with small children, if you added in child care expenses then forget it.

I live outside Buffalo too...I just don't think everyone understands that because they don't know anyone who anyone who has been affected by the economy doesn't mean the economy doesn't stink right now.

The majority of DH and I's "retirement" is 401k's and savings. We have never been dependent on our employer or the gov. Where'd you get the 70% number? I have family and friends all across the country and they are all doing fine. The ones that aren't have chosen to be dependent on the Gov., which means those of us that pay taxes. As I've said previously, that is unsustainable. Our current administration is creating this dependent society and a lot of people/supporters have their head in the sand.

This is an interesting topic on a board where almost everyone goes to WDW once per year....

A little presumptuous to assume that everyone who isn't fine has made a decision to be dependent on the Govt. I bet if you asked the people that are using assistance right now they would tell you that they would like nothing more than to have a job and be able to support themselves and their families as before.

I am not sure why I choose to open threads like these..it is always a bunch of people who may have never needed assistance (be thankful for that) and find it easy to assume that everyone collecting assistance is just lazy.

 

[Neelloc]

LOL Where did I say 70% were dependent on the Gov? I asked where you got the 70% number? Anytime the Gov is involved in setting a "minimum wage" they are creating a dependency. Um, you said your company is no longer offering retirement, right? Wow

We all "earned" a lot, but the Gov is taking a lot more (and I work for the Fed Gov). We are ALL paying for welfare. How is that stale or untrue? My DH has relatives on welfare who refuse to work. I think I have a stake in that.

Does everyone realize that in the 1950's the average family paid 0 taxes? The reasons were #1, communities helped each other and #2 if you couldn't pay the bills, you worked more than one job. We have a lazy, entitled work force today. The fact is the Fed Gov wants to be a nanny state, keep people dependent and take a lot of your earned income. The idea of fast food workers making double what they do today is completely UNSUSTAINABLE. Why is that so hard to understand. I was an Econ major, were you?

I was listening to a story on NPR the other day and the reporter stated that if McDonald's charged an additional 47 cents per sandwich, it would be enough to pay every hourly employee a decent wage. (I'm going to get the exact number, I have to find it.)

Thank goodness for the MINIMUM wage. Or greedy companies would offer their employees a pittance while continuing to earn record profits.

Oh, Wait. Isn't that what this thread is all about?

 

[bdcp]

then don't quote me. Yes new employees will not have retirement. that was to show that benefits are being chipped away.

My pension is not an "entitlement". my social security is not "entitlement" I worked my tooshie off for it.

tough but yep I will be collecting it every thing I have earned over 35 years of working.
This topic had nothing to do with welfare. You brought that up and yes the "poor me" whining is stale.

Your SS is absolutely an "entitlement". Do you know what "entitlement" means? I'm 53 and have seen benefits chipped away.

SS WAS never meant to be a retirement. Please research this topic. It was meant to be a supplement, period and was only meant to be around for a few years. Too much ignorance on this topic. We do all our retirement planning without figuring in SS because it is also unsustainable. Most people are drawing a LOT more than they ever put in.

Also, are you willing to pay %12-15 for a Big Mac? That's what this will get us.

 

[bdcp]

Our economy seems to be becoming more and more service oriented. People used to be able to make a decent living working in manufacturing but those days are over and I imagine that many of the less skilled blue collar workers ended up having to take service jobs. As already mentioned not everyone is college material and many can't be trained in one of the skilled areas.

What should they do? It's true that no one can live off of most service industry salaries. Truthfully I don't know what the answer it.

So, what did people do 40 years ago before everyone went to college? They learned a trade or started a business. No reason that can't be done today.

 

[eliza61]

Our economy seems to be becoming more and more service oriented. People used to be able to make a decent living working in manufacturing but those days are over and I imagine that many of the less skilled blue collar workers ended up having to take service jobs. As already mentioned not everyone is college material and many can't be trained in one of the skilled areas.

What should they do? It's true that no one can live off of most service industry salaries. Truthfully I don't know what the answer it.

One thing I would love to see is support for small business growth.

I think for younger and older citizens programs to foster small business ownership would be great.

 

[bdcp]

I was listening to a story on NPR the other day and the reporter stated that if McDonald's charged an additional 47 cents per sandwich, it would be enough to pay every hourly employee a decent wage. (I'm going to get the exact number, I have to find it.)

Thank goodness for the MINIMUM wage. Or greedy companies would offer their employees a pittance while continuing to earn record profits.

Oh, Wait. Isn't that what this thread is all about?

NPR? Since when are they the expert on economics? That's not true. I love the "greedy" companies comment. People say that til they start their own business and realize the realities. LOL Businesses exist to make a profit. There are too many "victims" today. Put on your big girl pants and work. geez. This liberal BS is what's wrong with this country today. No one is responsible today, it's all big businesses fault.

Minimum wage is not the be all end all to our issues. Far from it.

 

[Neelloc]

Also, are you willing to pay %12-15 for a Big Mac? That's what this will get us.

Like, I said.

Therein lies the main issue.

You cannot have it both ways. You cannot have that cheap Big Mac and expect the person serving it to you to be able to support themselves on what they are being paid to make it and serve it.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I was listening to a story on NPR the other day and the reporter stated that if McDonald's charged an additional 47 cents per sandwich, it would be enough to pay every hourly employee a decent wage. (I'm going to get the exact number, I have to find it.)

Thank goodness for the MINIMUM wage. Or greedy companies would offer their employees a pittance while continuing to earn record profits.

Oh, Wait. Isn't that what this thread is all about?

47 cents more per sandwich - some of their sandwiches are only 99 cents. So, that's a pretty big increase.

It's all just supply and demand. As long as people are willing to work for $7.50, people will pay $7.50. These people say they're not willing to work for $7.50. Fair enough, but there's a huge line of people who are.

If gas prices ever get back under control, the economy will improve and so will wages.

 

[eliza61]

Your SS is absolutely an "entitlement". Do you know what "entitlement" means? I'm 53 and have seen benefits chipped away.

SS WAS never meant to be a retirement. Please research this topic. It was meant to be a supplement, period and was only meant to be around for a few years. Too much ignorance on this topic. We do all our retirement planning without figuring in SS because it is also unsustainable. Most people are drawing a LOT more than they ever put in.

Also, are you willing to pay %12-15 for a Big Mac? That's what this will get us.

and it's not my entire benefits. So let me get this straight since you've seen your benefits chipped away I have to accept mine being taken away?

and once again You are making assumptions. I fully know how ss works. I have my financial house in order but that doesn't mean I'm going to leave money I paid into the system on the table. That's the dumbest thing I've heard.

I have my savings, ira, yada yada yada and I still plan on applying for my social security benefits. I paid for them, I got paid today and there is still a line on my deductions for social security taxes, so yep I want them.

for the small number of times I eat at mcdonalds, yes I have no problem paying an additional 12% on a big mac. a big make is 4 bucks around here. if an additional buck brings some one up to 12 bucks an hour, I think my budget (pre social security) can handle it.

 

[bdcp]

Like, I said.

Therein lies the main issue.

You cannot have it both ways. You cannot have that cheap Big Mac and expect the person serving it to you to be able to support themselves on what they are being paid to make it and serve it.

I meant $ lol, but yeah. Too many people lack the basic economic education to figure that out. Supply and demand. Those that want to double the salary of the fast food worker can pay the difference. It's not rocket science to do these jobs so why should it be paid at a rate that high?

We priced out inhome help for our inlaws this week. The company (in the DC are where incomes are high) charges like $17/hour for in home help. I think that's worth a lot more than slapping together a hamburger. The $17 is what the company makes per hour, not the employee. This in an area where the average household income is over 100K/year.

 

[luvsJack]

[
+

QUOTE=bdcp;49165854]So, what did people do 40 years ago before everyone went to college? They learned a trade or started a business. No reason that can't be done today.[/QUOTE]

Do you have any clue how many small businesses fail in a year?

And you do realize if everyone learned to be a plumber, an electrician or a mechanic the pay for those jobs would go down?

I work at a college that teaches those trades and we have graduates that cannot find a position because the market is saturated.

Learning a trade or opening a business is a great choice for some, but it doesn't solve the problem for all.

 

[Bluestars]

The good thing about this country is that nobody forces a person to work for a certain company. If they don't like the pay or hours at McDonald's, then they should find a more suitable job or possibly get a higher education to get a better job.

 

[Neelloc]

NPR? Since when are they the expert on economics? That's not true. I love the "greedy" companies comment. People say that til they start their own business and realize the realities. LOL Businesses exist to make a profit. There are too many "victims" today. Put on your big girl pants and work. geez. This liberal BS is what's wrong with this country today. No one is responsible today, it's all big businesses fault.

Minimum wage is not the be all end all to our issues. Far from it.

I didn't think NPR had to be an "expert" on something to report on a story. IIRC, they interviewed someone who gave that figure.

Yes, I know companies are in business to make money, otherwise, they wouldn't exist. However, when companies refuse to pay a decent wage, cut benefits for employees, cut hours, etc, doesn't that appeal to one's morals?

And yes, minimum wage SHOULD exist. I had a former employer, a small business owner, refuse to pay anyone over minimum wage. He felt that when he brought pies, cakes and cookies to the office that should suffice as a "bonus." Hmm, I don't see pie paying my co-workers bills. If he could have paid us all $2.00 an hour while he drove around in his brand new car and took fancy vacations (oddly, none to Disney World) then he would have.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

So how's the weather today?