What is a livable wage and should Government be responsible?

[Pr0d1gy]

The only thing a private employer is responsible for is generating profits for its shareholders.

That is a horribly misguided, economically destructive, unethical, and socially dangerous viewpoint. I would hope adulthood would give you more clarity as you grow up.

 

[MrColin]

Its really simple. And its the only real answer to our nations wage problem.

If the CEO wants more money, everyone else makes more money as well.

I think the idea of a liveable wage is an abstract idea. What might be liveable to a single mom will be different to a wall street banker.

Wages and livability need to be relative to each other.

Another similar approach that may work better to what you proposed would be to ramp the company's tax rate to reflect the disparity between its highest and lowest paid employees. Companies that treat the people at the bottom like dirt shift costs on to all the rest of us and this scheme could recoup those costs.

 

[schmuckley]

A "livable" wage in the US is $700 to $1100 a week.If the government butted out and stopped robbing the oil industry and cramping small businesses;It could become the norm.

 

[ivwshane]

A "livable" wage in the US is $700 to $1100 a week.If the government butted out and stopped robbing the oil industry and cramping small businesses;It could become the norm.

Please do tell how the government is robbing the oil companies and cramping small businesses. I'd like to see what the details are that you are speaking about.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

That is a horribly misguided, economically destructive, unethical, and socially dangerous viewpoint. I would hope adulthood would give you more clarity as you grow up.

Hate to break your Progressive Paradise (aka false utopia), but the poster was correct. Outside of obviously clarifying that they do such within the realm of law - The only thing an employer is responsible for is generating profits for their shareholders.

If you disagree, seek help. And basic skills.

 

[ivwshane]

Hate to break your Progressive Paradise (aka false utopia), but the poster was correct. Outside of obviously clarifying that they do such within the realm of law - The only thing an employer is responsible for is generating profits for their shareholders.

If you disagree, seek help. And basic skills.

Actually that isn't quite correct. The company has several responsiblities to its shareholders;


http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Social_responsibility_of_business_towards_shareholders#page1

Read any companies "promise to its shareholders" and you will see its not just about earning profit.

Costco for example has this philosophy; Obey the law, take care of its employees, take care of its customers and it's shareholders will be rewarded.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Actually that isn't quite correct. The company has several responsiblities to its shareholders;


http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Social_responsibility_of_business_towards_shareholders#page1

Read any companies "promise to its shareholders" and you will see its not just about earning profit.

Costco for example has this philosophy; Obey the law, take care of its employees, take care of its customers and it's shareholders will be rewarded.

Actually, that is quite accurate. Anything other than law is done for ethics and compliance - *Hint* That's code for PR for people like you will blow them into infinity if someone does a report on their cashiers being paid decent wages

 

[waggy]

In reality for a long time now it's been the big businesses controlling the government to suit their agendas.

In our society there has to be some that are poor and without things. Giving everyone a home/car/wireless device/etc just makes each of those things cost more.

"Back in the day" in America it wasn't too common for families to all live together. If Grandpa died a lot of the times Grandma was brought home due to the lack of rights women had. It wasn't preferred.

In the 50's we saw women working in order to provide more disposable income. In the beginning, many were able to afford two new cars, upgrade their homes, get a pool, go on long vacations....within a few years everything got so expensive a second income was almost required to just get by.

Today with more and more 'adult kids' not leaving the nest and just blowing money on luxury items we will begin seeing things really creep up as the economy improves.

I remember down here people talking about getting checks from Obama if he got elected. I am not sure where those rumors started, but people were pretty damn sure they'd be getting $50k or more.

spot on.

i will add in that people seem to be "needing" more then our parents/grandparents did. from cell phones, far larger homes, TV in every room, etc.


I remember watching stories with people thinking they were going to get paid when obama was elected. it was rather comical.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

spot on.

i will add in that people seem to be "needing" more then our parents/grandparents did. from cell phones, far larger homes, TV in every room, etc.


I remember watching stories with people thinking they were going to get paid when obama was elected. it was rather comical.

Pull out the YouTube videos, I'll grab the popcorn!

 

[ivwshane]

Actually, that is quite accurate. Anything other than law is done for ethics and compliance - *Hint* That's code for PR for people like you will blow them into infinity if someone does a report on their cashiers being paid decent wages

Well you can continue to talk out of your ass while I have provided a citation as well as an example to back up my claims.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Well you can continue to talk out of your ass while I have provided a citation as well as an example to back up my claims.

"Social Responsibility of Business' to Shareholders" Bwahahaha. Yes... social responsibility... oh lawdy, this guy... You're good you...

 

[alkemyst]

spot on.

i will add in that people seem to be "needing" more then our parents/grandparents did. from cell phones, far larger homes, TV in every room, etc.


I remember watching stories with people thinking they were going to get paid when obama was elected. it was rather comical.

Six of my ex-wive's friends all lived together in a 3 bedroom apartment. They literally had an LCD TV in every room and two in each bedroom. 3 of the 6 had custom painted cars with boom systems and big wheels.

I am sure most of it was stolen. Most never had cash to even eat lunch and would always beg for money from the other workers.

 

[jaqie]

In my honest opinion health care in this country is so broken that it needs completely redone from the ground up. The only reason I even say this here is because it has major direct influence on the living wage, I don't want to post a political discussion.

With full health care including dental and prescription coverage, a living wage in this country would be $8-15 an hour depending on where you live. Some places bus is included in residency, some there are no bus lines and you must have a car, some places bus alone is near $200 a month... rent variations, et cetra.

 

[alkemyst]

At least in Florida:

Workmans comp caps income at $1225 a week and pays out only 66.67% of that ($816).

For the reimbursement for an injury they pay out only $306 a week (max if you are still working and making the same money) and $612 (max if you lost your job or making less).

I am considered 4% total disabled (fortunately this comes from a book and doesn't actually reflect loss of movement potential, some can have a 1% total disability and not be able to even function daily). My pay out was a whopping $2448.

According to workman's comp the max wage one needs is $816 per week. Which is sad.

 

[jaqie]

According to workman's comp the max wage one needs is $816 per week. Which is sad.

At first I thought you were talking about per month, and I was a bit envious.
Then I saw per week and went O.O
um... You do realize that folks on disability get a max of right around $720 a month to live on, right?

If you are wondering why I am on it, check the threads started by me, you will find threads I posted as to why I am on it. Rest assured I am not being lazy or other crap.

My point is... How in the hell do you think it is to live on ~$700 a month here in usa? $800 a week is fantasy money to me - if I had that much I would have a nice car and my own (small) house and be able to afford real medical care and maybe healed enough to be able to work part time instead of the BS I get because I am on medicare and medicaid... did you know they don't even cover treatment of neurological problems of any kind for any reason, even if that is the reason you are disabled in the first place?

 

[alkemyst]

In my honest opinion health care in this country is so broken that it needs completely redone from the ground up. The only reason I even say this here is because it has major direct influence on the living wage, I don't want to post a political discussion.

With full health care including dental and prescription coverage, a living wage in this country would be $8-15 an hour depending on where you live. Some places bus is included in residency, some there are no bus lines and you must have a car, some places bus alone is near $200 a month... rent variations, et cetra.

Why can't those people just get Medicaid and food stamps? There are also plenty of low-cost/free clinics with you can prove you can't afford things. Caridad is one such place here.

The problem is they feel entitled to not want to have to sit at a free clinic all day long for anything they need. They insist on having the newest phones and even pay to break their contracts, they need home theatres and designer clothing. They need $100/month data plans.

 

[alkemyst]

At first I thought you were talking about per month, and I was a bit envious.
Then I saw per week and went O.O
um... You do realize that folks on disability get a max of right around $720 a month to live on, right?

If you are wondering why I am on it, check the threads started by me, you will find threads I posted as to why I am on it. Rest assured I am not being lazy or other crap.

My point is... How in the hell do you think it is to live on ~$700 a month here in usa? $800 a week is fantasy money to me - if I had that much I would have a nice car and my own (small) house and be able to afford real medical care and maybe healed enough to be able to work part time instead of the BS I get because I am on medicare and medicaid... did you know they don't even cover treatment of neurological problems of any kind for any reason, even if that is the reason you are disabled in the first place?

The problem is Workman's Comp is insurance not disability. They elected to cap the wages they insure at an amount I was getting paid 20+ years ago.

I also have elected to pay for my own AD&D policy so my payout will be more than what S/S will pay. I know some getting $1000 or more on disability though. Was this an issue with not earning enough credits into S/S? That does suck.

 

[jaqie]

Why can't those people just get Medicaid and food stamps? There are also plenty of low-cost/free clinics with you can prove you can't afford things. Caridad is one such place here.

The problem is they feel entitled to not want to have to sit at a free clinic all day long for anything they need. They insist on having the newest phones and even pay to break their contracts, they need home theatres and designer clothing. They need $100/month data plans.

Who is this "they" you speak of?
Anyone on unemployment or comp can get food stamps.
If I sat in a clinic all day I would need to go to the emergency room - I cant even sit up for long without getting very sick half the time. My normal doctor makes me wait for hours even knowing this. Even then the free clinics just refer me to specialists which I cannot afford - didja think of that? No.

Medicaid and medicare is what I am on. I just got through telling you how bad that care is - but I barely hit the tip of the iceberg. It's a nightmare for those on it that have problems they don't want to cover, which is a lot.

I have no phone, I could never get a contract if I wanted one. I had been using kricket but was no longer able to pay the $40 a month fee for it so am now using google voice as a phone. That plan DID have a data plan, unlimited, with a 1gb per month full speed cap. Did you know that most services require you to have a phone, even if you cannot afford one? My clothing comes from goodwill and from walmart sale rack. How about you? Home theater? I have a kenwood KM-208 amp which though it goes for $200 online, I got it for $15 because the switches inside are oxidized. I got the speakers, 2.0 speakers, for $100 10 years ago, and they are one of the old school speakers designed for full range. Yes, I have a home theater, my computer is it.

I call bullshit on what you say. Every word of it.

 

[alkemyst]

A "livable" wage in the US is $700 to $1100 a week.If the government butted out and stopped robbing the oil industry and cramping small businesses;It could become the norm.

They aren't robbing the oil industry. It's because the 'banks' own the oil industry and control our government. They have been in control since pretty much right after our founding fathers started this country.

Small businesses are cramped.

If everyone started making $50k a year, the price of goods and services would just increase.

This has been proven especially during the 50's when wives began 'gaming the system' by taking on jobs of their own which allowed their families to buy the new cars, bigger homes, pools, RV's, boats, etc.

Soon every wife really needed to work at the middle class and lower level to make ends just meet and had to downsize, skip the boat/RV, but lucky to have a pool and hope their used cars don't break down...

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

You are what you make of yourself. Do you deserve a luxury suite paid for the rest of your life? Apparently that's what you proclaim. Or do you just need speaker upgrades every 5 years?

 

[alkemyst]

Who is this "they" you speak of?
Anyone on unemployment or comp can get food stamps.
If I sat in a clinic all day I would need to go to the emergency room - I cant even sit up for long without getting very sick half the time. My normal doctor makes me wait for hours even knowing this. Even then the free clinics just refer me to specialists which I cannot afford - didja think of that? No.

Medicaid and medicare is what I am on. I just got through telling you how bad that care is - but I barely hit the tip of the iceberg. It's a nightmare for those on it that have problems they don't want to cover, which is a lot.

I have no phone, I could never get a contract if I wanted one. I had been using kricket but was no longer able to pay the $40 a month fee for it so am now using google voice as a phone. That plan DID have a data plan, unlimited, with a 1gb per month full speed cap. Did you know that most services require you to have a phone, even if you cannot afford one? My clothing comes from goodwill and from walmart sale rack. How about you? Home theater? I have a kenwood KM-208 amp which though it goes for $200 online, I got it for $15 because the switches inside are oxidized. I got the speakers, 2.0 speakers, for $100 10 years ago, and they are one of the old school speakers designed for full range. Yes, I have a home theater, my computer is it.

I call bullshit on what you say. Every word of it.

Being disabled is a lot different than the people I was talking about, many of them are working under the table.

Even in the private sector, unless you get group coverage you may have exclusions on issues they will treat.

In the past I struggled. I was still using my 32" CRT TV I purchased in 1997 up until my g/f moved in and had her own 46" LCD TV. My TV is still smaller than most of the people I know that make half what I do.

My home theater is modest, I purchased it in 1997 as well.

I also paid for my own health insurance from about 18 to 23 until I was covered under an employers plan. My insurance costs limited the car I could purchase and how much spending money I had.

 

[BoberFett]

The Onion wins again.

www.theonion.com/articles/nation-just-wants-to-be-safe-happy-rich-comfortabl,33335/