What should the minimum wage be in the United States?

[BoberFett]

The choices available are too low. If corporate CEOs have a minimum of $10,000 per minute, why should the rest fumble in the gutter with $7.95 per hour? Let us all be rich and then we'll see just how special your fancy car and house really are.

Ah, liberal wisdom...

 

[shady28]

Buying local as much as possible is a partial antidote to this race to the bottom. We see this now in the resurgence of farmer's markets, for example. But most people simply don't care, up until someone in a far away cubicle gives them the axe.

And that's the truth. Apathy is the killer on many fronts.

Orwell was wrong, Huxley got it right (1984 vs A Brave New World) :

"Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information.

Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egotism.

Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us.

Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance.

Orwell feared we would become a captive culture.

Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of the feelies, the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumblepuppy."

 

[LTC8K6]

Where do you get 50 cents?

The overwhelming majority picked $0/hr

Most probably meant that there shouldn't be a mandatory minimum wage, not that it should be set at 0...

That is, the market should define it, not the government.

 

[crashtech]

Most probably meant that there shouldn't be a mandatory minimum wage, not that it should be set at 0...

That is, the market should define it, not the government.

Well, that's what I meant when I voted zero, since there was no option for "abolish minimum wage." If someone doesn't like the pay, they are free to go elsewhere, or even better, start their own business and see how easy it is. In fact, I think everyone who complains about their employer should have to try and create their own business before any of their criticisms can be taken seriously.

 

[Matt1970]

Lets drop it to damn near zero. Heck, make it zero. Lets bring back slavery.

Also, lets make sure we subsidize the costs of businesses as well. Do they need to spend $x for every product they sell at $y? Well, let the tax payer's money (which said businesses will never have to contribute) pay for $x!!

I mean, lets ensure NO money is being spent by businesses - just that they make it.

These fucking whine-athons about how businesses are being hurt is such bull shit. And, it's all based on some asshole mom n pop shop that knows fuck all about balancing and dealing with their budget and spend.

Then, when their business closes down, herp-a-derps come out in droves, crying how immigrants ruined said mom n pop shop's dream, because herp-a-derp herp-a-derped and there is herp-a-derp as a result. Herp-a-derp.

Stow it.

Business has been booming for quite a while in America,.. for the business owners. What has NOT been booming is the working class. They get gutted all the time. There is no trickle down economics.

And, the worst of it all, work class traitors being volunteer talking heads for the rich. Here is a wake up call; they don't know or care who you are - you will not be rewarded for your cheerleading efforts on the Koch Brothers Team. Because, much like the NFL cheerleaders,.. you are NOT making any money off of your ra-raing; you are being used and cheerfully announcing it to boot. Idiots.

You seem to have a problem with mom n pop shops.

 

[boomerang]

You seem to have a problem with mom n pop shops.

I think there is a much more serious, much deeper problem. I pick up the vibe of someone stretched very tight that is about to snap.

 

[realibrad]

Buying local as much as possible is a partial antidote to this race to the bottom. We see this now in the resurgence of farmer's markets, for example. But most people simply don't care, up until someone in a far away cubicle gives them the axe.

Buying local is not the solution either. See, some places are horrible at growing things. Places like the Arizona Desert cannot grow the variety or quantity of food needed to support the local population, without a huge expense of moving resources. Its far better for the world if you grow the food in a place where food production is less expensive because the area is conducive to farming.

Mega cities tend to be better for the environment per capita relative to what is produced because of this very idea. Transportation does cause pollution, but if that population were spread out, the pollution created would be far greater.

Buying local may not always be more expensive, but its also not true that it is the solution you think it is.