Minimum Wage

[MtnBiker]

The 101 congress is likely to pass an increase in the federal minimum wage. The democrats want to pass it while they are in controll for political feel goodness and the republicans will go along with it. I don't have the exact figure of minimum wage earners but it is quite a small number and even smaller when it is for a persons that are the head of a house hold. So my point being is our elected officals are purposing and passing legislation that really does not help the country out rather helps themselves out politically.

[TheSage]

Gee, MtnBiker, maybe you're not really the team player we all thought you were. You just don't understand what it takes to run a country. Stop the drama. Just stop it! :dev:

[MtnBiker]

:laugh: :laugh:

[Gaffer]

The 101 congress is likely to pass an increase in the federal minimum wage. The democrats want to pass it while they are in controll for political feel goodness and the republicans will go along with it. I don't have the exact figure of minimum wage earners but it is quite a small number and even smaller when it is for a persons that are the head of a house hold. So my point being is our elected officals are purposing and passing legislation that really does not help the country out rather helps themselves out politically.

It's all for political posturing. They can't really effect anything important so they will do crap like this to make it look like they are doing something for the American people.

[Gunny]

The 101 congress is likely to pass an increase in the federal minimum wage. The democrats want to pass it while they are in controll for political feel goodness and the republicans will go along with it. I don't have the exact figure of minimum wage earners but it is quite a small number and even smaller when it is for a persons that are the head of a house hold. So my point being is our elected officals are purposing and passing legislation that really does not help the country out rather helps themselves out politically.

In your opinion, what are the pro's and con's of increasing the minimum wage?

[jillian]

The 101 congress is likely to pass an increase in the federal minimum wage. The democrats want to pass it while they are in controll for political feel goodness and the republicans will go along with it. I don't have the exact figure of minimum wage earners but it is quite a small number and even smaller when it is for a persons that are the head of a house hold. So my point being is our elected officals are purposing and passing legislation that really does not help the country out rather helps themselves out politically.

Well, that's a bit contradictory. It only helps the dems politically if, in fact, it helps voters. If it doesn't help voters due to a purportedly small number of minimum wage earners, then it can't possibly help the dems for that reason. So, perhaps it's being done because it's the right thing to do to try to make sure, in the richest of countries, that all its citizens have a living wage.

[TheSage]

Well, that's a bit contradictory. It only helps the dems politically if, in fact, it helps voters. If it doesn't help voters due to a purportedly small number of minimum wage earners, then it can't possibly help the dems for that reason. So, perhaps it's being done because it's the right thing to do to try to make sure, in the richest of countries, that all its citizens have a living wage.

But jilly, dem voters don't look at actual consequences of legislation, they will "feel good" about it even if nobody is helped. They're not exactly rocket scientists.

[darin]

Well, that's a bit contradictory. It only helps the dems politically if, in fact, it helps voters. If it doesn't help voters due to a purportedly small number of minimum wage earners, then it can't possibly help the dems for that reason. So, perhaps it's being done because it's the right thing to do to try to make sure, in the richest of countries, that all its citizens have a living wage.



But Raising the Minimum wage really HURTS voters - but voters can be idiots enough where they don't see it. The People who vote assheads like Pelosi and McKinney into office aren't affected by the minimum-wage legislation - they tend to HAVE jobs. Who will suffer are those looking for work, because small-businesses aren't hiring, or laying off because of Socialist-minded folk "leading". :(

[pegwinn]

Well, that's a bit contradictory. It only helps the dems politically if, in fact, it helps voters. If it doesn't help voters due to a purportedly small number of minimum wage earners, then it can't possibly help the dems for that reason. So, perhaps it's being done because it's the right thing to do to try to make sure, in the richest of countries, that all its citizens have a living wage.

Your logic is sound. Problem is that logic and reality (especially where politics is concerned) rarely coincide.

Why? Because a higher minimum wage will simply be passed on to consumers. So the cost of a happy meal will go up, and the guy who says "<a title="First Cousin to Mr. 'You want fries with that?'"><u>you want to supersize that</u></a>?" has no further incentive to improve himself.

I don't oppose the idea of a living wage, I oppose the intrusion into our business lives. Uncle Sugar already has waaaaaay to much power on local matters.

Minimum wage by rights should be a State or even City issue. Cost of living is not the same from sea to shining sea and seven bux isn't going to magically fix that.

[Gaffer]

Your logic is sound. Problem is that logic and reality (especially where politics is concerned) rarely coincide.

Why? Because a higher minimum wage will simply be passed on to consumers. So the cost of a happy meal will go up, and the guy who says "<a title="First Cousin to Mr. 'You want fries with that?'"><u>you want to supersize that</u></a>?" has no further incentive to improve himself.

I don't oppose the idea of a living wage, I oppose the intrusion into our business lives. Uncle Sugar already has waaaaaay to much power on local matters.

Minimum wage by rights should be a State or even City issue. Cost of living is not the same from sea to shining sea and seven bux isn't going to magically fix that.

Your definately right on that peg. Cost of living is a regional thing. Cost of living in my area is way less than in NY. I can live fairly well here in ohio on 2000 a month, while in NY I couldn't even get by.

And a minimum wage hike will definately drive prices up. It will create inflation and posibly start a recession. Which the dems would love because they could blame it on Bush.

[MtnBiker]

But jilly, dem voters don't look at actual consequences of legislation, they will "feel good" about it even if nobody is helped. They're not exactly rocket scientists.

That's right. A raise in wage pay will directly effect very few people, rather it is feel good legislation that the dems can point to.

[MtnBiker]

In your opinion, what are the pro's and con's of increasing the minimum wage?

Con - allowing the government to force a business to pay a certian amount for asset.

[manu1959]

pro-people make more money

con-those same people will spend that money to pay for the increased cost in goods and services their raise created

[Gunny]

Your definately right on that peg. Cost of living is a regional thing. Cost of living in my area is way less than in NY. I can live fairly well here in ohio on 2000 a month, while in NY I couldn't even get by.

And a minimum wage hike will definately drive prices up. It will create inflation and posibly start a recession. Which the dems would love because they could blame it on Bush.

Reminds me of when I was on active duty. When the military got their meager rations raised a bit at the beginning of the year, all the fast food joints, convenience stores and gas stations jacked their prices accordingly. We're just the middle men.

[Mr. P]

Raise minimum wage and you raise the cost of living. This ‘living wage’ argument is BS. Wages increase, product costs increases. All that will change is prices.

[MtnBiker]

Actually I don't believe the raise in minimum wage will effect the economy to much. Why?? because most employers already pay higher than minimum wage. The market demands it. I'm in the food industry, traditional it pays lowest for entry level positions. Currently non of the people I deal will start near the minimum wage, no one will work for that wage. Thus the market has already ajdusted itself(regionaly of course).

[Gunny]

Con - allowing the government to force a business to pay a certian amount for asset.

It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't, CATCCH-22, IMO. The MSgt's got it right .... any raise given will immediately be snatched up by jacking up prices. It isn't really going to mean a thing at the "Ramen noodles for dinner" level.

I'm waiting to see what happens when they actually open the Toyota plant here in San Antonio. They're talking $15 per hour wages. This is a blue collar town and $15 per hour isn't the average wage. If retailers and wholesalers jack their prices to snatch up that $15, this city's in for some financial woes.

[Gunny]

Actually I don't believe the raise in minimum wage will effect the economy to much. Why?? because most employers already pay higher than minimum wage. The market demands it. I'm in the food industry, traditional it pays lowest for entry level positions. Currently non of the people I deal will start near the minimum wage, no one will work for that wage. Thus the market has already ajdusted itself(regionaly of course).

Try starting in a construction trade. You'll see that minimum wage REAL quick.:wink2:

[MtnBiker]

Try starting in a construction trade. You'll see that minimum wage REAL quick.:wink2:

Understandable.

[manu1959]

Raise minimum wage and you raise the cost of living. This ‘living wage’ argument is BS. Wages increase, product costs increases. All that will change is prices.

how about the fed rate is 5.15

california is 8.00

what is that 60% higher

http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm

average home price usa 215k

average home price california 350k

what is that 60% higher

http://www.realestateabc.com/outlook/overall.htm

duh....................

[manu1959]

Try starting in a construction trade. You'll see that minimum wage REAL quick.:wink2:

join a union.....minimum wage will be like 30 / hr for pushin a broom

[Gunny]

join a union.....minimum wage will be like 30 / hr for pushin a broom

I am not a union man. Having said that, I can easily the purpose for unions, but not at the level of excess they currently operate at. Where I work, if the boss says overtime, you work or lose your job. There is no protection for the worker.

At the same time, union employees are so protected they're just clock-punchers, and it costs so much to feed the union bureaucracy, they've priced themselves out of business.

[Mr. P]

join a union.....minimum wage will be like 30 / hr for pushin a broom

I was just gonna mention unions..picked up a bit of info today..supposedly their wage is tied to a % above minimum..so there ya go, any increase will cause a domino effect and we stay in neutral..no doubt prices will rise.

[Mr. P]

One other factor to consider; if the wage is increased the result is MORE income tax paid, sales tax too. Who does that work for, the average Joe? Hell no, it’s just more for the politicians to spend and the cycle never ends.

[Gaffer]

One other factor to consider; if the wage is increased the result is MORE income tax paid, sales tax too. Who does that work for, the average Joe? Hell no, it’s just more for the politicians to spend and the cycle never ends.

Its a back door tax increase. And we all know the dems love tax increases.

[Gunny]

One other factor to consider; if the wage is increased the result is MORE income tax paid, sales tax too. Who does that work for, the average Joe? Hell no, it’s just more for the politicians to spend and the cycle never ends.

"The road goes on forever and the party never ends ......."