General Discussion

Solly Mack

(96,832 posts)

77. As for me, if you're old enough to work you deserve a living wage

Thu Apr 7, 2016, 01:05 PM

Apr 2016

16 or 65, if you're working, you deserve a living wage.

I live in a rural area, and it gets so tiresome to read how people in my area don't need 15/hr. More especially from people who have no fucking clue what the economy/transportation/jobs/prices is/are like where I live. 15/hr is a start, but it is by no means a wage that would cause anyone in my area to be living large.

A lot of people claim to care about poor people until it comes to paying them a living wage, then suddenly people want to be the judge on how the poor should live and what (always lower) wage would be good enough for them.

If you're a college graduate and making less than 15/hr, it's not the fault of the person supporting their family by working at the local Burger King. That BK worker needs a living wage. Looking for someone to blame? Blame those who deny people a living wage, blame those who think Americans ought to work themselves to death and be grateful for the opportunity, blame government, blame the corporations for caring more about their profits - don't blame the low-skilled worker that deserves to earn a living wage.

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A 16 year old should absolutely make $31K [View all] Recursion Apr 2016 OP

I'd rather 16 year olds be in school, but if... stone space Apr 2016 #1

Isn't there a child labor law against that? brush Apr 2016 #68

I would hope so, as I would much prefer to see them in school. stone space Apr 2016 #74

Exactly, no kid should have to work full-time instead of being in school, even at a higher minimum brush Apr 2016 #80

See my post #111. JDPriestly Apr 2016 #123

15 an hour would sure help cut down on the amount the gov't or parents pay for college huh? hollowdweller Apr 2016 #129

Not clear what you're saying. brush Apr 2016 #170

"should", yes philosslayer Apr 2016 #2

Someone who is legally required to Recursion Apr 2016 #3

Huh? philosslayer Apr 2016 #4

Minimum wages set the minimum pay rate at which one person may hire another Recursion Apr 2016 #5

"May" hire. Not "Must" hire. My original question stands. philosslayer Apr 2016 #10

If it's a bright, energetic, talented, computer-savvy kid, Nye Bevan Apr 2016 #14

If, if, if philosslayer Apr 2016 #17

If he's not worth $15 per hour, and the law says you have to pay him that, Nye Bevan Apr 2016 #19

If hes bright and qualified he can probably get 15 an hour today. Travis_0004 Apr 2016 #46

Case in point.. cannabis_flower Apr 2016 #55

Nobody is "required" to hire anyone, but if they do, they should pay them a living wage world wide wally Apr 2016 #6

Nobody is required to retain somebody if they are not worth what they are paying them. hollowdweller Apr 2016 #122

Were they ever? world wide wally Apr 2016 #134

No employee in a capitalist economy is ever paid what they are worth. fasttense Apr 2016 #177

The same people who are hiring them at minimum wage now Marrah_G Apr 2016 #26

Mic drop? How about mic fail? 7962 Apr 2016 #92

There are very few $7.25 an hour 16 year old workers today :) Sunlei Apr 2016 #109

See also: child labor laws lapislzi Apr 2016 #143

D'oh, everyone who can profit from doing so in some way. L. Coyote Apr 2016 #7

Well that was simple philosslayer Apr 2016 #15

What kind of skilled laborer does a small business deserve to employ for $15 / hour? Orrex Apr 2016 #20

Thank you! noamnety Apr 2016 #22

How about if my business plan depends on me... meaculpa2011 Apr 2016 #33

If it's your own business noamnety Apr 2016 #38

So if the price of a pizza goes from $15 to $20... meaculpa2011 Apr 2016 #70

Why twist my words? noamnety Apr 2016 #121

Sorry. Not trying to twist your words... meaculpa2011 Apr 2016 #142

See my post #111 to put this in the perspective of the cost of a college education at a state JDPriestly Apr 2016 #126

So what would currently take 2 hours labor to buy, would now take 1.3 hours. It's cheaper. Glassunion Apr 2016 #145

Not for the customer... meaculpa2011 Apr 2016 #147

So pizza should not be affordable to those earning minimum wages? Glassunion Apr 2016 #154

Okay. You may be right... meaculpa2011 Apr 2016 #156

Unless your business is built solely on the premise of paying people the very minimum allowed by law Glassunion Apr 2016 #159

I don't know your situation, but sometimes the owners need to absorb some of the increase in costs, Hoyt Apr 2016 #178

Then your business plan is untenable Orrex Apr 2016 #50

+1 nt laundry_queen Apr 2016 #183

Thats when you hire landscapers for outside/ cleaning service for inside and you pay a set rate. Sunlei Apr 2016 #67

I was in business for seven years hfojvt Apr 2016 #152

You can easily find online calculators for living wage by region Orrex Apr 2016 #160

the calculators are just somebody's guess hfojvt Apr 2016 #171

No, they're a calculation. Orrex Apr 2016 #172

except that if people are clearlg living on less than a livable wage hfojvt Apr 2016 #179

You're arguing that your work has no value and that we should all be serfs Orrex Apr 2016 #182

I know we are supposed to celebrate small business people and farmers in the U.S.A.... hunter Apr 2016 #28

So corps like Wal Mart R.A. Ganoush Apr 2016 #40

How is it you afford to pay minimum wage now? Egnever Apr 2016 #45

That wasn't my point though R.A. Ganoush Apr 2016 #57

It's a ridiculous point Egnever Apr 2016 #61

Sometimes a small business doesn't have "pricing power" 1939 Apr 2016 #153

The average grounds maintenance workers make 11.68 an hour (BLS data). Glassunion Apr 2016 #158

I hope this is just a few small businesses. Delmette Apr 2016 #133

Back in the early 1980's pay for skilled labor was higher than $15.00 L. Coyote Apr 2016 #141

Now you want skilled workers for $15 an hr, lol. B Calm Apr 2016 #18

unskilled? the post mentioned sweeping floor and taking out trash and clean toilets -- what kind saturnsring Apr 2016 #23

what kind of skill is needed for that - AlbertCat Apr 2016 #51

what's wrong with you i wasnt looking down on anyone saturnsring Apr 2016 #91

Which is the harder job? We do not value hard work in our country! hollowdweller Apr 2016 #127

It's not how strenuous the work is skepticscott Apr 2016 #148

In the real world, the vast majority of minimum-wage jobs are held by adults. Aristus Apr 2016 #49

Don't argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and beat you with their experience. Vincardog Apr 2016 #86

Not even to China. The factories on Mexico's border pay $7 a day to make our washers/dryers & Sunlei Apr 2016 #97

See my post 111 in which I compare $31,000 to the cost of a year of UC at Berkeley. JDPriestly Apr 2016 #120

Hours worked shouldn't matter. Why discriminate against part time workers? B Calm Apr 2016 #8

Part time hourly workers should make less than full time hourly workers, yes? Recursion Apr 2016 #9

They are already making less than a full time employee. B Calm Apr 2016 #11

For what reason? Kentonio Apr 2016 #30

Because wages are paid by hours worked? Recursion Apr 2016 #31

Ah! No sorry, I think we both meant per hour. Kentonio Apr 2016 #37

Ah, sorry, agreed Recursion Apr 2016 #66

Absolutely. Kentonio Apr 2016 #89

I thought there were laws preventing 16 yr-olds from working 40 hours liberal N proud Apr 2016 #12

Depends on the state. jeff47 Apr 2016 #21

I don't think it's legal for children to work those hours, not sure though if state/federal child.. Sunlei Apr 2016 #13

If you pay some people by the hour they tend to drag out the work to get more hours. saturnsring Apr 2016 #24

Some do, probably best to pay kids * by the job rather then the hour.Like sweep floors for $30. Sunlei Apr 2016 #34

It sure as hell isn't in NY R.A. Ganoush Apr 2016 #39

I think the Federal minimum should be about $20 an hour.Including farm workers & prisoners get 100% Sunlei Apr 2016 #43

I've only had to process a few H1-B applications R.A. Ganoush Apr 2016 #59

All legal and fair on visa paperwork. I think foreign visa required fed minimum wage is why Congress Sunlei Apr 2016 #62

I'd like to see a cite for that if you don't mind R.A. Ganoush Apr 2016 #72

a cite for what? visa people who are hired to work are required to be paid our federal minimum wage. Sunlei Apr 2016 #90

No sorry, not that part R.A. Ganoush Apr 2016 #95

Nevermind, I found it R.A. Ganoush Apr 2016 #100

Individuals not so much but America brings in 'crews' of foreign workers to do forestry work, resort Sunlei Apr 2016 #108

OK, that I can definitely see happening R.A. Ganoush Apr 2016 #146

And if the employer thinks someone is dragging out the work... thesquanderer Apr 2016 #52

That's true, but I think it's better to supervise & make them resweep the missed corners :P Sunlei Apr 2016 #88

Recommended. H2O Man Apr 2016 #16

Yes. One of the things that bothers me about this debate noamnety Apr 2016 #25

I was kicked out of my home for being gay DetroitSocialist83 Apr 2016 #27

ugh Egnever Apr 2016 #53

Slight issue with this. Visionary Apr 2016 #29

So all the companies who current require that work done will just choose to close instead? Kentonio Apr 2016 #32

if the law becomes mandatory, all affected businesses will raise prices a bit to accomodate steve2470 Apr 2016 #44

Not really. Companies like Amazon that use massive amounts of automation will be less affected, Nye Bevan Apr 2016 #54

shrug steve2470 Apr 2016 #60

As long as you are OK with the implications. Nye Bevan Apr 2016 #63

What I'm hearing from you is this: HughBeaumont Apr 2016 #76

Business owners are constantly weighing the benefits versus the costs of automation. Nye Bevan Apr 2016 #81

And . . . again . . . how does Capitalism as is continue? HughBeaumont Apr 2016 #87

Indeed, if you are going to enact policies that preclude large numbers of low-skilled people Nye Bevan Apr 2016 #93

So, inflation then? n/t HillareeeHillaraah Apr 2016 #55

from what I've read, a small amount nt steve2470 Apr 2016 #58

Every attempt to improve worker conditions has met with the same response Orrex Apr 2016 #75

I can't believe this even needs to be pointed out here. Kali Apr 2016 #165

Right? Orrex Apr 2016 #168

Seriously! freebrew Apr 2016 #175

Yes - many low wage jobs are very physical GreatGazoo Apr 2016 #35

madness Mr Dixon Apr 2016 #36

First of all, most 16yr olds are protected by worker rights. glowing Apr 2016 #41

I think a $15 an hour law is justified for teens but should be phased in slowly steve2470 Apr 2016 #42

When I was a minimum wage worker... LuckyTheDog Apr 2016 #47

very good points. I wonder if thats where Obama got the $10.10 minimum wage he pushed for years. Sunlei Apr 2016 #64

Why arbitrarily choose 1968? Taitertots Apr 2016 #82

Because that year was when the wage was "worth" the most. 7962 Apr 2016 #96

Right. LuckyTheDog Apr 2016 #102

That doesn't mean it is the right number. Taitertots Apr 2016 #161

Information about current national minimum wage (no copyrights, all govt. material) steve2470 Apr 2016 #48

States also have minimum wage laws. California's minimum wage will be moving up to $15 per hour JDPriestly Apr 2016 #115

My first thought when I see these posts that think the jwirr Apr 2016 #65

excellent points! nt steve2470 Apr 2016 #69

Not for sweeping floors.... humbled_opinion Apr 2016 #71

Without unions My Good Babushka Apr 2016 #73

this ^^^ Kali Apr 2016 #169

Standing ovation!! Silver_Witch Apr 2016 #173

As for me, if you're old enough to work you deserve a living wage Solly Mack Apr 2016 #77

Exactly! My Good Babushka Apr 2016 #78

Yep. 30 years ago at least. Solly Mack Apr 2016 #163

Why should an uneducated kid make more than me? scscholar Apr 2016 #79

Who is responsible for your pay, but you? My Good Babushka Apr 2016 #83

That is an argument for why you should make more Orrex Apr 2016 #85

you are so funny SoLeftIAmRight Apr 2016 #155

It depends. Is your degree in Performance Bassoon from The University of Arizona? Glassunion Apr 2016 #162

It's bass clarinet... scscholar Apr 2016 #166

Because there is always truth in humor. I was going to school for a degree in music myself... Glassunion Apr 2016 #167

Your jealousy is disgusting. Odin2005 Apr 2016 #181

I would recommend the debate be based on an 18 year old. CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #84

why should rural poverty My Good Babushka Apr 2016 #98

I would agree.. CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #104

We live in rural Pennsylvania My Good Babushka Apr 2016 #114

On the other hand... CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #124

I'm very sorry to hear that. nt My Good Babushka Apr 2016 #125

The same reason 100k in NYC isnt considered wealthy. 7962 Apr 2016 #112

My son rents apartment... CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #116

Well, I disagree My Good Babushka Apr 2016 #118

Why would you discriminate against workers in rural areas? B Calm Apr 2016 #103

See above. CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #105

Okay I looked above and I see nothing in your above post B Calm Apr 2016 #107

'Not as worthy' CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #110

Thanks for explaining why you think rural workers should be held back. B Calm Apr 2016 #119

B Calm... CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #128

I agree, but this is not a perfect world we live in. B Calm Apr 2016 #131

Yes... CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #135

Yeah, I thought the same Rebkeh Apr 2016 #94

I think we owe our kids an education scioto99 Apr 2016 #99

Yes, the minimum wage should be $15/hr mountain grammy Apr 2016 #101

Aree Ferd Berfel Apr 2016 #106

And on that income, he or she can live and save for college. JDPriestly Apr 2016 #111

We should not be discussing wages for a 16 year old... CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #113

I started working very young -- carrying ads from door to door when I was younger than I care JDPriestly Apr 2016 #117

At 16 I had my own business. CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #132

The good old days. One of my daughters started a business at 12, but she did not make a lot JDPriestly Apr 2016 #138

Damn.. I'm only making slightly more than that at age 39... Blue_Tires Apr 2016 #130

at least Jr. can pay his own car insurance and cell bill... ileus Apr 2016 #136

We have a brand new, cheap labor conservative on the board Warpy Apr 2016 #137

It should not matter what the minimum wage is... CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #139

from 2013 but still very relevant steve2470 Apr 2016 #140

Why don't we back up and look at ALL minimum wage workers csziggy Apr 2016 #144

You post does not fit the myopic view some have in regards to living wages. Glassunion Apr 2016 #149

Thank you n/t csziggy Apr 2016 #151

Thank you! Solly Mack Apr 2016 #164

Actually I would have loved a full time summer job at 16 hfojvt Apr 2016 #150

I had a full-time summer job when I was 16... meaculpa2011 Apr 2016 #157

A 16-year old SHOULD BE IN SCHOOL!!! Herman4747 Apr 2016 #174

New argument from the right... freebrew Apr 2016 #176

People who think minimum wage jobs are mainly for teenagers are privileged middle class assholes. Odin2005 Apr 2016 #180

Sure Avalon Sparks Apr 2016 #184