Dem Platform Committee Votes Down $15 Min Wage Amendment

[CaptainSensible]

82. The Rubicon where Min Wage, Living Wage and Meet Basic Needs Wage

So I see mention of a LIVING WAGE, a MIN WAGE and a WAGE ENOUGH TO MEET BASIC NEEDS. I have to say that in my mind these are three independent amounts. In Atlanta, where it isn't cheap, a lifestyle that affords a one bedroom apt costing say $970 mo, a single healthy adult could live well on less than $24k. Might not be the most exciting, but you wouldn't be "bumming" necessarily. A roommate would certainly improve things considerably.
So that's BASIC NEEDS WAGE.

Next is the MIN WAGE of $30k ($15 hr), would obviously provide a somewhat nicer living experience for sure worn the extra $6k added from the $24k I'm certain a "BASIC NEEDS" existence could be had quite comfortably.

And finally, the LIVING WAGE SCENARIO. I'm not convinced that indexing the MIN WAGE to "the" LIVING WAGE would provide any useful info. Afterall, the $15 MIN WAGE rejected by the DNC, is likely not attached to a LIViNG WAGE because it has already exceeded a fair portion of the numbers found at the MIT calculator.

As for $30k a year as a proposed living wage, assuming this figure is a realistic number, I cannot honestly imagine a cashier or grill operator at McDonald's a $30k a yr compensation.

This arrangement betrays the legitimacy of the fast food business model, without a doubt. Whole Foods had boasted of paying a living wage for more than a decade. I'm not certain of the current rate actually.

But Whole Foods operates a unique business model. Their employees who are paid a living wage CANNOT afford to shoo due groceries there. Partly because their retail prices are inflated to accommodate the extra cost incurred by maintaining their commitment to pay a living wage. Although I'm not sure that by removing the increased markup, a single adult could afford to shop for groceries at Whole Foods.

I have no idea where you live but if you're living costs to meet basic needs for a single adult and a one bedroom apt, come close to $30k a yr, something is out of sync.

I suppose one person's basic needs compared to the next night very well differ greatly. Naturally lifestyle plays a huge role, but if a new minimum wage paying $15 hr was approved, I would absolutely be blown away.

Do you mind if I ask your location, whether you've finished school yet, graduate, new job yet or been at it for a while already? Just curious.