General Discussion

SoutherDem

(2,307 posts) Mon Jun 4, 2012, 10:40 PM Jun 2012

Is it time for Maximum Wage [View all]

We have a minimum wage which isn't enough to survive on but each time someone talks of raising it we hear from the Republicans how it will cost jobs.

Shouldn't we have a maximum wage. The most any employee (executives) could get paid? This could be a maximum salary or the maximum gap between the average rank and file vs. the CEO. Lets say $500,000 was the most unless the lowest paid employee got at least $1 for every $240 the executives made.

Currently the average executive gets paid around $475 for each $1 the employees make. But, they can't afford raises, benefits and are cutting back.

If the money to pay the rank and file more costs jobs doesn't the big paycheck of the executives also cost jobs?

I am not sure if I am serious or just pissed. But, I would love to see what others feel.

73 replies

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Is it time for Maximum Wage [View all] SoutherDem Jun 2012 OP

I think that's a non-starter. But I do believe it's possible to raise the minimum wage RZM Jun 2012 #1

Start by doubling it over the next 2 - 3 years and then raise it to Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #16

With a price cap on essential goods and services. FrodosPet Jun 2012 #20

That assumes an inflation that can't happen in this economy. We're in a depression, Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #23

Do you have an example of where extended price controls hack89 Jun 2012 #26

Price floors seem to work just fine. Why not price caps? Zalatix Jun 2012 #32

Ask Venezuela hack89 Jun 2012 #36

Milk/Cheese, in the United States Zalatix Jun 2012 #51

History show that price caps don't work hack89 Jun 2012 #56

What should minimum wage go to to a subsistence level? SoutherDem Jun 2012 #28

I think so. Beyond, say, 10 million a year, 100% tax. morningfog Jun 2012 #2

Let's say 99%. YellowRubberDuckie Jun 2012 #12

That's fine. I was suggesting the 100% only on the potion above the $10 million. morningfog Jun 2012 #18

I see. YellowRubberDuckie Jun 2012 #22

$10 million? The Koch's would STARVE on that! Zalatix Jun 2012 #33

No - it would open the door for even more ways for our corporate overlords to take our money. Initech Jun 2012 #3

Yes, there will always be new ways to screw people SoutherDem Jun 2012 #29

That's why we need to tax stock options at the same level as wages. Zalatix Jun 2012 #53

Yes! Best idea I've heard all day. limpyhobbler Jun 2012 #4

You got my point SoutherDem Jun 2012 #30

I Think Only a Few Athletes Have *Wages* Over $10 Million a Year On the Road Jun 2012 #5

Capital gains taxes would take care of it. YellowRubberDuckie Jun 2012 #13

You wouldn't limit that SoutherDem Jun 2012 #31

I actually wouldn't mind ctaylors6 Jun 2012 #65

I do agree about the athletes and film/TV stars SoutherDem Jun 2012 #72

Then they will fire all the labor and contract it out. dkf Jun 2012 #6

Since there is always a way around things SoutherDem Jun 2012 #34

It's an idea I agree with in theory Neue Regel Jun 2012 #7

I agree! SoutherDem Jun 2012 #35

I think it is in Germany -at least it use to be when my friend was there on business- that a CEO lookingfortruth Jun 2012 #8

I don't know how Germany works SoutherDem Jun 2012 #37

I agree completely. I was just trying to say there is a cap the government has on how much CEO can lookingfortruth Jun 2012 #54

I don't support limits at this time and maybe never will but I do believe strongly in a multiple TheKentuckian Jun 2012 #9

They can make as much as they want, as long as WE tax a large percentage of every extra dollar they pampango Jun 2012 #10

That would be another way to do it. SoutherDem Jun 2012 #38

With their cry that raising the minimum wage will cost jobs madokie Jun 2012 #11

Alternatively, how about a graduated inheritance tax starting @ 40% on the third million and Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #14

Good idea SoutherDem Jun 2012 #39

Thanks. Limiting Inheritance is key to broader economic balance. Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #52

I disagree SmileyRose Jun 2012 #15

You may disagree, but you get my point SoutherDem Jun 2012 #40

sometimes I think DU is becoming a place of fantasy. cali Jun 2012 #17

Of course it is SoutherDem Jun 2012 #42

They'll just go the Steve Jobs route - lower their salary to $1.00 (breeze paying taxes on that). HughBeaumont Jun 2012 #19

I did say a maximum pay gap (RATIO) as an option. SoutherDem Jun 2012 #44

Doesn't go far enough. meaculpa2011 Jun 2012 #21

Interesting thought SoutherDem Jun 2012 #45

Instead of trying to put bandaids on capitalism TBF Jun 2012 #24

I totally agree SoutherDem Jun 2012 #46

I actually feel the same way TBF Jun 2012 #57

It works in Sweden - they seem to have found the proper balance. nt hack89 Jun 2012 #61

Not so fast, TBF Jun 2012 #63

So what do you intend to replace it with? nt hack89 Jun 2012 #64

That's always the first question from the typical red-baiter. TBF Jun 2012 #66

I have no real problem with socialism hack89 Jun 2012 #67

Sure, no problem - TBF Jun 2012 #68

When things get really bad, socialism will not be what people turn to. hack89 Jun 2012 #69

Well I think many people TBF Jun 2012 #70

Socialism requires a high degree of civic unity and agreement hack89 Jun 2012 #71

Correct you are - TBF Jun 2012 #73

Nnnnnnope cherokeeprogressive Jun 2012 #25

SO, if you put a cap on my maximum earnings I'll make a work around AngryAmish Jun 2012 #27

That and CEO's don't necessarily need a wage 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #43

SO, do we give up? SoutherDem Jun 2012 #47

No, just a more progressive tax rate 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #41

With that progressive tax rate SoutherDem Jun 2012 #48

I really think any kind of tax reform must *start* 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #49

Yes, that would do nicely. SoutherDem Jun 2012 #50

I don't think it would have the effect you want FreeJoe Jun 2012 #55

Maximum wage notion actually picking up global momentum TooMuch Jun 2012 #58

Thanks for the information SoutherDem Jun 2012 #59

Hmm.... no and I will tell you why nadinbrzezinski Jun 2012 #60

Sure. Why not? lumberjack_jeff Jun 2012 #62