republicans vote down minimum wage again

[Geoff_M]

This sickens me. The GOP is looking out for business as usual. It has always been the conservatives who have worked for big business.The majority of the lower class is not white.

I think you under estimate the number of non-minority poor in our country, if you are trying to spin this into some sort of racist action. Also, the state legislature here (controlled by that same mean 'ol GOP, btw) just voted for raises in the state's minimum for this year to $6.95 and increases in the next two years to $7.40.

 

[chobie]

And would someone please post the signficant study proving that raising the minimum wage causes inflation or job losses.

I would like to see that study also. Anybody find one?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

minimum wage Year Wage Year Wage
1938
$0.25

1975
$2.10

1939
$0.30

1976
$2.30

1945
$0.40

1978
$2.65

1950
$0.75

1979
$2.90

1956
$1.00

1989
$3.10

1961
$1.15

1981
$3.35

1963
$1.25

1990
$3.80

1967
$1.40

1991
$4.25

1968
$1.60

1996
$4.75

1974
$2.00

1997
$5.15

 

[Olaf]

The lack of understanding basic microeconomic principles reflected in this thread is just amazing, and a little bit frightening. We have the most vital, thriving economy in the world, and it's not an accident.

In a free market economy, people are paid what their skills are worth. If you're in a job in which you could be replaced very quickly, and there are a dozen people available to fill your job, then you're not going to be paid very much. Welcome to the real world.

Seems to me that the Democrats have more or less aligned themselves with the illegal alien movement. That's strange though, as it's the illegal aliens who are depressing wages in many parts of this country. I find it odd that some of you think it's a bad thing that various state legislatures have taken up the issue. That's exactly how it's supposed to work. What's good for California isn't necessarily good for Georgia.

And as far as congressional pay goes, they don't make nearly enough. It costs a fortune to live in the DC area, and many of them maintain residences in their districts. As it stands right now, you just about have to be independently wealthy to be a member of Congress.

 

[Olaf]

if you raise minimum wage, you'll also see inflation in prices.

Exactly. There's a reason why inflation has been so low for a number of years.

Go ahead a pay the CM's $2.00 an hour more. I can guarentee you that the ticket prices will go up, as will the resorts rates, and the cost of just about everything at WDW. Wonder how many of you will be thrilled with that scenario? I know, we could get Congress to make it illegal to raise prices at theme parks, and resorts, and while they're at it they could freeze gas prices as well. Ridiculous? Fixing a national minimum wage makes about as much sense.

 

[Charade]

and they should also have the same insurance plan as the average American, and the same retirement package (or lack there of) as the average American. Since most of these incumbants are wealthy it wouldn't matter a who-hockey but it would be somewhat satisfying in principle.

Right. (I do actually agree)

And some of those wealthy are Democrats. I wonder where wealthy Democrats get their money since they abhor big business. Especially big oil and Walmart. I'd really like to take a peak into their portfolios the next time I hear a Dem rail against big oil.

 

[Cool-Beans]

How about we raise the minimum wage to $100 an hour? OK? Would that make everyone happy?

No, of course not, because then all the other wages go up, everything costs more, and the people at the bottom are still not as well off as everyone else.

I have always found the minimum wage argument silly. No matter where you set it, the folks who make it are still at the bottom.


Oh, and I flew back from Orlando with Dennis Kucinich recently. He flew first class, so he's doing OK financially. Certainly better than the vast majority of his constituents.

 

[mrsltg]

How about we raise the minimum wage to $100 an hour? OK? Would that make everyone happy?

No, of course not, because then all the other wages go up, everything costs more, and the people at the bottom are still not as well off as everyone else.

I have always found the minimum wage argument silly. No matter where you set it, the folks who make it are still at the bottom.


Oh, and I flew back from Orlando with Dennis Kucinich recently. He flew first class, so he's doing OK financially. Certainly better than the vast majority of his constituents.

I agree whole-heartedly. Why not make minimum wage $1,000,000 an hour? It really doesn't matter. The end result is the same. Business lays people off, hires fewer workers (because, believe it or not, skill is not required to flip burgers), and passes the cost on to consumers. People earning mimimum wage are consumers, too. There goes their raise. In addition, other workers begin having to spend more for everything and their businesses respond by giving them raises. And everything is back to the beginning again. Instead, the market should dictate what a certain task is worth. The government should not tell McDonald's the cashier should earn $10/hr. McDonald's should decide how many people want the job and set the pay appropriately. This is not hard.

 

[mrsltg]

I am a cm at the World and I make just a little over $7 an hour. Not because that is starting pay, but because I have been there long enough to have been given a raise and promoted to a department that pays a little better.

I am not stupid. I am not lazy. I am not an immigrant. I am a hard working person that does everything I can to bring magic to life for all those people that come to WDW for just that. I LOVE my job and I am VERY good at it.

Now - why is it again that I do not deserve a living wage?

Because you chose the job you have. I'm not certain, but I am fairly sure no one takes you to work at gunpoint. Therefore, you have the choice to work elsewhere for more money. You have the choice to improve your skills and education so you attain a better job. You are paid $7 an hour because that is what you are worth to the company you work for.

 

[Charade]

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/L...ote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00180

There you go. See who voted which way in your state.

(sorry if this was already stated)

Now isn't that interesting. All the 'yea's were "R"s

But a closer look reveals that it was attached to a defense spending bill. Apparently the Dems (all of them) didn't like the defense spending bill.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Please let me know what those jobs are. Seriously, I'm personally sick of dead end jobs.

Anyone who is good at installing floors/tile (that sort of stuff) will do well. Good plumbers make a fortune!

Nurses do considerably better than minimum wage and need only an associate's degree (or diploma from a hospital).

Lots of clerical workers make a LOT more than minimum wage.

Good places to go work if you want to get promoted without a degree are hotels and banks.

 

[Laz]

I am a cm at the World and I make just a little over $7 an hour. Not because that is starting pay, but because I have been there long enough to have been given a raise and promoted to a department that pays a little better.

I am not stupid. I am not lazy. I am not an immigrant. I am a hard working person that does everything I can to bring magic to life for all those people that come to WDW for just that. I LOVE my job and I am VERY good at it.

Now - why is it again that I do not deserve a living wage?

It sounds like you are working yourself up the ranks. That is great! Are there more opportunities for growth within WDW? Have you talked to your superiors or human resources about advancement? Why wait for the government to advance your wage? It sounds like you have the work ethic and desire to do it yourself!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I am a cm at the World and I make just a little over $7 an hour. Not because that is starting pay, but because I have been there long enough to have been given a raise and promoted to a department that pays a little better.

I am not stupid. I am not lazy. I am not an immigrant. I am a hard working person that does everything I can to bring magic to life for all those people that come to WDW for just that. I LOVE my job and I am VERY good at it.

Now - why is it again that I do not deserve a living wage?

You must be young. People don't necessarily get what they deserve. My cousin's toddler doesn't DESERVE to have cancer, but that's what she has. If your parents never told you, then I will: Life's not fair.

If you want more money, go make it. You can either start up your own business or work for someone else who has done that. If you work for someone else, you'll have to prove that you are worth more.

It is all in your hands. Don't fall victim to the idea that everyone is keeping you down, and you have no choice but to be poor.

You can do anything! Just make up your mind to do it and get busy DOING and not thinking up reasons why you can't. That's a pep talk, so go, girl!

 

[Charade]

I am a cm at the World and I make just a little over $7 an hour. Not because that is starting pay, but because I have been there long enough to have been given a raise and promoted to a department that pays a little better.

I am not stupid. I am not lazy. I am not an immigrant. I am a hard working person that does everything I can to bring magic to life for all those people that come to WDW for just that. I LOVE my job and I am VERY good at it.

Now - why is it again that I do not deserve a living wage?

This is the problem. You don't deserve anything provided by someone else. If you don't think you're earning enough, *you* need to find a an employer that's willing to pay you what you think you're worth.

It's pretty clear that WDW thinks $7/hour is what you're job is worth. They know that people like you who love to work there are willing to accept that kind of pay.

There's really no right or wrong when it comes to pay. I would love to make twice what I earn now but my company thinks what they pay me is what the job is worth. If I want to make twice as much, I need to make the necessary changes to get there.

 

[Charade]

This sickens me. The GOP is looking out for business as usual. It has always been the conservatives who have worked for big business.The majority of the lower class is not white. They are minorities. These minorities, growing up in ghettos, are told to rise up. Fighting through poverty and violence and horrible school systems, they are supposed to go to college. nevermind they can't afford it, thats what affirmitive action is for. Yeah right. So, the majority, not having a college education, are supposed to live on minimum wage. It should be enough for them and a partner. If they have kids, its their fault. They must be crazy to want to create another person to love. And people wonder why the crime rate is up.

Did you see that all the yes votes where Republicans? Not a single Democrat voted for it.

 

[Quinn222]

As with everything in this world, you have to pick your battles, and giving away money to people who have no desire to work or better themselves is, in the end, NOT going to be a service to society, it will merely drain funds from more useful endeavors and waste it on the wasteful. If the people do want to better themselves, then by all means - give them a hand up, not a hand out.

I'm trying to find a diplomatic reply to this but there just isn't one and language that springs to mind isn't the sort of thing I like to say. This smacks of moral superiority (which, by the way, you have no claim to whatsoever as your argument in and of itself is immoral and evil.) No one is 'giving' money to these people. They are working as hard and probably a whole lot harder than you are and they deserve a decent wage. It will not hurt the economy, the same number of jobs are still needed and if you and I have to pay more for stuff, too bad. It will be made up for by the millions who will have more buying power because they are making a decent wage. It is just this attitude towards the working poor that is turning this country into a place of the haves and the have nots. How would you like to work very hard for year after year and never get a raise?

There are plenty of people who work very very hard in school and would have loved to go to college but since the republicans have cut almost all funding for that, it's not an option for them. There are those who are not college material. They are working all day at poverty wages and have just as much right as you do to earn a living wage. No family should have to work three or four jobs just to get by. We keep our poor poor by foolish and self righteous attitudes such as this. Since all those working poor are so far beneath your contempt I suggest you stop using their services and see how far you get. You can't buy gas, shop at most retail stores, have your lawn cut, eat out, have your clothes dry cleaned. Oh, eating food is probably out, farm workers are low paying jobs. Try and see how valuable all those services are to you. Maybe you'd just prefer the return of slavery so you won't have to pay those pesky low class people at all?

 

[AllyandJack]

Here we go again.....

Some jobs aren't careers and they weren't mean to raise a family, own a home, plan a retirement, etc.

I agree....everyone should be offered health insurance. That doesn't mean the employer has to pay for all of it, but employers are in a better position to get better rates on better plans and they should at least make the offer.

These minimum wage jobs were meant for high school students, college students, part time workers....not jobs people have forever. It's a starting point. You start running the register....then you become department manager....then maybe manager of something else....store manager....district manager....whatever.

I made minimum wage. DH made minimum wage. I think we all did at one point. You don't stay there and, if you do, you have to accept that.

When my DH was 22, he was still living at home and making minimum wage. One day, an electrician came to work on the building where he was the janitor. He started talking to him and then enrolled in a class. He put in his time as an apprentice and now he's a project manager making more than I do and providing all of the benefits for the family. He never went to college. He was one of 6 kids who grew up in the projects with no father. I grew up in the projects, too and went to a rough, inner-city Boston public school. I don't accept any excuse about anyone's lot in life. Many of my classmates (and I was the minority as a white student) went on to Harvard and MIT and Brown. Some of them went on to own hair salons after going to cosmetology school. They started making minimum wage washing hair and now they're the boss.

It is not the business owner's problem that someone didn't achieve more or didn't learn a skill or didn't get some sort of education. Nobody owes anybody anything.

 

[Quinn222]

If you want more money, go make it. You can either start up your own business or work for someone else who has done that. If you work for someone else, you'll have to prove that you are worth more.

This is a joke right? You don't actually believe this?

He makes $7 an hour. Starting a business might be a little tricky. Assuming he has the skills for that he has neither the start up money nor the time. Since he probably has to work two full time jobs just to eat and pay rent. Since the minimum wage is so low he's not going to find a job where he lives that pays better. Why would they pay better when the govt. says it's okay to not pay a living wage? They can righteously point out that they are paying two bucks over the minimum! (best not to mention that a living wage is $15 an hour.) Maybe he could move to a place that offers a better wage but guess what? When you only make $7 an hour you don't make enough money to move. You don't make enough moeny to even move across town because you can't save enough to make first/last and deposit. Even if you're working two or three jobs.

 

[Cool-Beans]

It will not hurt the economy, the same number of jobs are still needed and if you and I have to pay more for stuff, too bad. It will be made up for by the millions who will have more buying power because they are making a decent wage.

They will have exactly the same buying power, because now they have to pay more for everything, too. In your words, "too bad."

Where would you like to set the minimum wage. I'm thinking $100.00 / hour, but $1,000 or $1,000,000 will do as well.

It doesn't matter WHERE it is set, those folks will still be at the bottom.

So, where do you want to set it?

 

[Charade]

Messagge to the OP. You might want to change the title of this thread after you read who and how they voted on that bill.