Forum Post: A Fair Idea from a Working Class Slob
Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 8, 2011, 8:13 a.m. EST by JesseHeffran
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I think the minimum wage should be enough where a forty hour a week job gives me the dignity to look my child in the eye and say we live in the greatest nation in the world. A job that does not make me feel as though I'm on a hamster wheel always being expected to sacrifice a little more, run a little faster, so my superiors can buy their third house, second yacht, and vacations where ever they please. So yes, I believe the minimum wage should be a dignified wage.
A fair share is enough that when a family member works forty hours, s/he is able to put food an the table, pay the utilities, have health insurance, school supplies for their children and save enough for retirement, while the spouse is able to stay home and do the house work.
A fair share is enough that I’m able to pay my taxes just as efficiently as the middle class Americans do. If the manager of a company paid his line workers enough to pay for the needed infrastructure (taxes), then wouldn’t his tax liability be less? Wouldn’t he feel more inclined to grow his company, fueling the economic expansion we all crave and need? Economic growth, in my opinion, is the process of having full employment. Economists say that full employment is an unemployment rate of two percent. This rate should be applicable when every worker works one full time job. A worker should be counted as the primary wage earner in a household. Having one person in a household responsible for earning a living and the other responsible for managing the home could expand the job market. If the family chooses to have both of their grown ups or more able bodies work then they should be taxed at a higher rate. This incentivizes families to take their fair share and penalizes those who believe they deserve more, with out working harder and smarter.
A working class, Superiorly loyal, Objectionably Bright (SLOB), slob should be as valuable to his nation as those who clime the ladder of success. If his actions are as valued as those of his superiors, who knows, maybe he will take pride in the American way.
If board members and stock holders were to demand that the top pay rate for the CEO or president of a firm were tied to the wages of the lowest earner, then we might see some changes.
That is a good idea too.
Will there also be a law to prevent outsourcing if US salaries become too high for an employer? Some jobs just aren't worth that much to an employer. Your dream takes us toward a government that cares for us with artificially raised wages, if that's what people want fine. A free market is based more on supply and demand. Labor in the US is already seen as being too costly. I doubt raising the minimum wage will help that.
Well, if Wall Mart does not want to sell its garbage at a fair wage. I won't loose sleep.
Walmart gives people what they want, low priced junk. Companies that pay more for labor tend to charge more for their goods and also tend to loose market share. Doesn't matter if we sleep well or not a company doesn't care it will do what's best for itself, which is usually tied to what the customer wants.
i don't think you are critically reading what i wrote. instead you are trying to nit pick it a part. but we can go circles. i love to debate, even with those who cant think. i rather have high priced stuff than struggle to survive in an unjust system.
You're proposing major changes to an economic system that works well for a majority of people. I think that would give one the right to pick at nits. Raising wages artificially could raise prices and you will find yourself back where you started again.
I don't think it's that people "want" low priced junk from walmart but don't see the causes that drives us all to park there. However, I think most people have a gut feel that there is something terribly wrong about this mess, hence OWS.
I don't see the "most people" aspect as reflecting reality, just my opinion. Too bad though, it had, maybe still has, a chance to organize political strength and get some real changes.
"most people" may not reflect reality today. How many times have we heard 'the 99% is really only XX%' But with, dare i say, every indicator pointing downwards, the real percentage is constantly increasing.
1) By July 4th that percentage should be significantly larger and
2) A significant bolstering of political strength lies in the NYCGA public endorsement of the 99% Declaration.
This is just my two thoughts. Why are you taking it so seriously? I am not the one out there protesting. I am just making suggestions that I believe would lower the unemployment rate and allow everyone to love their nation.
I take you at your word for the most part. I don't know you so I would give you the courtesy of believing you are sincere. My honest opinion is that your particular solution wouldn't work. Has nothing to do with who is or isn't protesting.
Read my views then tell me where my Ideas are lacking clarity. This idea, you see above, is just one of millions of ideas I come up with daily. You'd love to have me grow your company, but I am anti-Gult, and you can't have me. http://www.citicommons.com/
I think your views are clear, I just don't agree with you.
well, that is the beauty of a republic.
most humans aren't needed for labor
Makes it difficult then to argue for a higher wage when your efforts are actually worth less.
yes, it's all who owns what
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