California conservative multimillionaire supports minimum wage increase

[GandD 5,966]

I respectfully disagree. I think the main discussion should be whether to raise the minimum wage at all. That is my point.

Sure, there are def pluses and minuses to raising the minimum wage. No doubt any raise would be passed on to consumers or lead to a decrease in hours of employees. Why not just say that? Instead you suggested any increase would be similar to a very very high increase. Which just isn't true.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I think the main discussion should be whether to raise the minimum wage at all.

Why should the discussion not start with whether the minimum wage should or should not be allowed to fall year after year. After all, the minimum wage has been falling for the last almost 5 decades. I'd be perfectly fine with simply bringing it back to where it was back in the late 60's - that would be about $10.50 today. In some places, a higher minimum wage would probably be justified but that's a local issue.

[Boiler 46,202]

California is expensive, $20 would be more reasonable.

[unsmiley 111]

Sure, there are def pluses and minuses to raising the minimum wage. No doubt any raise would be passed on to consumers or lead to a decrease in hours of employees. Why not just say that? Instead you suggested any increase would be similar to a very very high increase. Which just isn't true.

Not really, I never said (or implied) that. Actually any increase would be an overall negative in my opinion. But carrying the logic of those that demand a minimum wage increase further, how can they say it is not true that if $15 is good for a recipient, much more than that wouldn't be even better for a recipient?

[GandD 5,966]

Not really, I never said (or implied) that. Actually any increase would be an overall negative in my opinion. But carrying the logic of those that demand a minimum wage increase further, how can they say it is not true that if $15 is good for a recipient, much more than that wouldn't be even better for a recipient?

Actually, a that high of an amount would be devastating for them as it would drive consumer goods to insanely high prices. Now, a small increase that is half absorbed by the employer and half absorbed by consumers would be a net gain to minimum wage folks and would have little effect on the economy. As MBD said, if you account for inflation, cost of living, etc, they're actually earning less now than back in the day. If you compensate for these things and pay them what they used to make, you'd return them to the level supported by businesses 30-40 years ago. That way you wouldn't have to venture in to new territory so to speak.

[unsmiley 111]

Actually, a that high of an amount would be devastating for them as it would drive consumer goods to insanely high prices. Now, a small increase that is half absorbed by the employer and half absorbed by consumers would be a net gain to minimum wage folks and would have little effect on the economy. As MBD said, if you account for inflation, cost of living, etc, they're actually earning less now than back in the day. If you compensate for these things and pay them what they used to make, you'd return them to the level supported by businesses 30-40 years ago. That way you wouldn't have to venture in to new territory so to speak.

OK, now we are talking in a civil manner. Can I point out that no one cares that my income, and that of several colleagues, has dropped 2/3 in three years, and that is in real dollars (ie: not adjusted for inflation like the above minimum wage figures). And I don't blame others for not caring as times are tough all around. And of course I would be "perfectly fine" with someone subsidizing me to get me back where I was, but that sure ain't gonna happen, and it would not be fair if it did. Income losses like mine probably have a larger effect on the economy than those that earn minimum wage. But wealth transfers are not the answer, and minimum wage jobs were never intended to be long term. Improving the economy is the best answer to these problems.

[Boiler 46,202]

The economy improves and creates more minimum wage/part time jobs.

Wages are wealth transfer, by definition.

[GandD 5,966]

OK, now we are talking in a civil manner. Can I point out that no one cares that my income, and that of several colleagues, has dropped 2/3 in three years, and that is in real dollars (ie: not adjusted for inflation like the above minimum wage figures). And I don't blame others for not caring as times are tough all around. And of course I would be "perfectly fine" with someone subsidizing me to get me back where I was, but that sure ain't gonna happen, and it would not be fair if it did. Income losses like mine probably have a larger effect on the economy than those that earn minimum wage. But wealth transfers are not the answer, and minimum wage jobs were never intended to be long term. Improving the economy is the best answer to these problems.

Civility is the best.

That is a shame about your wage. 2/3 of a drop is a lot. Do you have an idea on what may have caused it? Did you switch companies, was the job market flooded, or something else? I don't think you should blame others but its perfectly acceptable for you to question such a decrease. These types of changes make it very difficult for any one to create a stable life plan.

Some might say higher purchasing power in the hands of the lower level consumers could actually improve the economy. But of course, that is debatable too. Realistically, from my point of view, no one really understands all the ins and outs of our economic system, even the best. I feel like its more of a profit grab by those with hands to do so. VERY VERY few employers make the decisions they make for the good of the country.

[Boiler 46,202]

How about half the average wage as a minimum.

[GandD 5,966]

I would say start would adjusting the wage to match what it was at its highest in the last 50 years after inflation. Then we'll see what happens and the impact should be the end of the world. Nothing dramatic.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Ideally, the minimum wage should be high enough to allow for an individual (not family, just individual) to live and eat without government assistance.

My preferred approach would be three-pronged: a safety net for minors, a "high enough but no higher" minimum wage and UI not exceeding 6 months.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Ideally, the minimum wage should be high enough to allow for an individual (not family, just individual) to live and eat without government assistance.

My preferred approach would be three-pronged: a safety net for minors, a "high enough but no higher" minimum wage and UI not exceeding 6 months.

So in California where a 900 sq ft ranch cost 250,000+ and more a McDonald employee should make what $50/hour? So he can enjoy the weather out there. Maybe chase his dream to be an "actor"....Perhaps he could just move to N Dakota .. fight the -30 below weather and work as an oil rough neck .... My father was a child of the depression and people including him worked in many states searching for a better job. At times he worked for food and a tank of gas.... Maybe a few bucks in his pocket.

[GandD 5,966]

Gotta have McDonald's employees, even in California

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

So in California where a 900 sq ft ranch cost 250,000+ and more a McDonald employee should make what $50/hour? So he can enjoy the weather out there. Maybe chase his dream to be an "actor"....Perhaps he could just move to N Dakota .. fight the -30 below weather and work as an oil rough neck .... My father was a child of the depression and people including him worked in many states searching for a better job. At times he worked for food and a tank of gas.... Maybe a few bucks in his pocket.

Not everything is a stereotype dude.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Civility is the best.

That is a shame about your wage. 2/3 of a drop is a lot. Do you have an idea on what may have caused it? Did you switch companies, was the job market flooded, or something else? I don't think you should blame others but its perfectly acceptable for you to question such a decrease. These types of changes make it very difficult for any one to create a stable life plan.

Some might say higher purchasing power in the hands of the lower level consumers could actually improve the economy. But of course, that is debatable too. Realistically, from my point of view, no one really understands all the ins and outs of our economic system, even the best. I feel like its more of a profit grab by those with hands to do so. VERY VERY few employers make the decisions they make for the good of the country.

So is it a profit grab when someone risks his or her life savings works 80 hours a week making things in the business run...Realistically,you need to run a business or two before you understand how wages are set. It all comes down to numbers and meeting payroll.Now you throw in the high cost of his electric bill and uncertainty of kenyan kare due to your president and it is a wonder there are not more business on the edge of closing..