New Minimum Wage: $6.55/HR

[OrdinaryLife]

True. So, should it be set at something more like $30 per hour?

At first read, "Huh? $30 and hour?" Until you do the math. It is a reality check! Gross, it will give you $57,600. You remove taxes, SS, and all the others, and you are still struggling. Especially if you have a family.

I think it's not unreasonable to retink the wage per hour and increase it according to the area in which a person lives. To take in the cost of living and what it costs the state in Food Stamps, welfare, and Section 8 housing. How much is each state spending on people to help them get by and have a roof over their heads??? I'm thinking it must be a *huge* amount of money.

 

[Shazza]

Give me a minute to think this through - you are saying the Government demands that this be paid, but then they take money from other people to pay for it? That can't be right. What if people don't agree with paying folks to lay around - can they say they don't want to pay?

All our taxes are paid to the government, they get all the money and disperse it as they think it should, we as tax payers want our money to go to more hospitals, education, maintenance of our roads, but the government give it to welfare and dole bludgers, there is some of the monies going to the hospitals etc but not enough.

 

[drew]

I would love to see anyone house themselves pay a power bill keep a car running pay for auto insurance ect. and eat on 6.55 an hour.
And if you need child care forget it.
You wonder how some of these children get left with boyfriends who abuse them?Believe it, there are many people faced with that and not just burger flipping teenagers.
And Im sure most of them dont have the luxury of pondering abstracts like government interference.

ahhhh...if you are living on minimum wage you might want to consider using BIRTH CONTROL!!
That goes for the nonworking abusing boyfriend too!

 

[OrdinaryLife]

ahhhh...if you are living on minimum wage you might want to consider using BIRTH CONTROL!!
That goes for the nonworking abusing boyfriend too!

See, I have to disagree with the point you are making here. Why should people who are working at minimum wage not be able to have a life? They are working their butts off and trying their damnest to do the best they can. Because of that they should into birth control and not have families? Why should they have none and those who make a better dollar be allowed to? That is not a solution.

I think there is a strong bias against the "minimum wager" vs someone who makes 4 times that. These people are not lessor than. It's simply wrong, IMO, to paint a broad picture across the wall.

Just say'in...

 

[OrdinaryLife]

OK, how about a minimum wage of $50 per hour?

LOL! I'm sure *many* would love that number!!! Obviously, there is no sure fix. I think it's very sad knowing that there are many who do make a decent wage and are struggling right now. You put in what the minimum wager has and it's frightening. How do they do it?

They have no choice but to go to state government and apply for aid. Many are not lazy and just sucking up freebies. They are hard working people financially stuck.

 

[kline]

ahhhh...if you are living on minimum wage you might want to consider using BIRTH CONTROL!!
That goes for the nonworking abusing boyfriend too!

LOL,yeah that might not hurt either,can we make birth control for the abusing boyfriend retroactive?
Somebody mentioned 50.00 an hour for minimum wage...I could get by on that I think!

 

[dingo]

ahhhh...if you are living on minimum wage you might want to consider using BIRTH CONTROL!!
That goes for the nonworking abusing boyfriend too!

Here in Australia when you give birth you recieve $5000 if you have twins you receive $10000 and so on.....this payment is received for every child born not just the first child..so we now have babies been born just so the "parents" can get their hands on the cash to go buy plasma tvs and such.....makes sense doesnt it

 

[KansasCutie]

See, I have to disagree with the point you are making here. Why should people who are working at minimum wage not be able to have a life? They are working their butts off and trying their damnest to do the best they can. Because of that they should into birth control and not have families? Why should they have none and those who make a better dollar be allowed to? That is not a solution.

I think there is a strong bias against the "minimum wager" vs someone who makes 4 times that. These people are not lessor than. It's simply wrong, IMO, to paint a broad picture across the wall.

Just say'in...

But how is it fair to bring an innocent child into this world if you cant afford to feed them or yourself at times? Having a child is not required to 'have a life'. I would love a brand new mercedes but being a 21 year old college student that is far from my reality point right now....Would it be logical for me to put a down payment on one right now and hope i can figure something out down the road to pay for this expensive car that i in no way can afford?

If you are working a minimum wage job and want children...you have a few choices.
A) Get an education and work a higher paying job.
B) Work 2 or 3 minimum wage jobs. (It is possible)
C) SAVE for a couple years THEN have children so you are not living paycheck to paycheck and asking the government for help to feed your children.

just my opinion!

 

[OrdinaryLife]

But how is it fair to bring an innocent child into this world if you cant afford to feed them or yourself at times? Having a child is not required to 'have a life'. I would love a brand new mercedes but being a 21 year old college student that is far from my reality point right now....Would it be logical for me to put a down payment on one right now and hope i can figure something out down the road to pay for this expensive car that i in no way can afford?

If you are working a minimum wage job and want children...you have a few choices.
A) Get an education and work a higher paying job.
B) Work 2 or 3 minimum wage jobs. (It is possible)
C) SAVE for a couple years THEN have children so you are not living paycheck to paycheck and asking the government for help to feed your children.

just my opinion!

I do not think you can (nor should) equate wanting a Mercedes to wanting a family. How many can truly receive a higher education? You're a college student. You know (or have an idea) what tuition costs even if it's a 2 year college. It's not cheap by any means. So, if a person works 2-3 minimum wage postitions, how do they even attend classes with a work schedule that could be over 50+ hours a week, easily? Many jobs require a weekend.

Community college here in my area costs $3600, $111 per credit. That is for the resident of the state. It's $7000, $336 per credit for out of state residents. Add in $300 process fee and books/supplies between $882-$900. Add all up the working hours, tuition, and trying to find the classes at any possible hour you can attend, it's not so easy on any level.

Yes, a person can save their money until they are financially in a place to have a family. If they are working 2-3 jobs to keep a roof over their head and food on the table, will it ever be possible for anyone to be able to live like others do? I guess not. It's not like many people in this world are out to take advantage of "the system". I think that is a very sad stereotype that has been made. I know for a fact there are really good people out there trying their damnest to get ahead, but are stuck between a rock and a hard place. No matter how they try to change their life/living/working situation.

IMHO

 

[kline]

Work 2 or 3 minimum wage jobs(full time I presume)??
I would like to see anyone pull that off for an extended period of time.
House yourself .Eat.....and pay tuition?
Right.
Its amazing how full of condecending advice people who have never had a minimum wage job since they were in high school living with Mom and Dad are for those for whom its a daily reality.
Frankly the unwed mother popping kids caricture applied over anyone who doesnt happen to be economicly fortunate as others is offensive.
It gets thrown out by pro business arch conservatives every time this subject comes up.
Economic injustice is at the root of many of this countries biggest domestic problems.
Its disheartening how thouroughly the propaganda by those with a vested interest in the rich few getting richer has been absorbed.

 

[KansasCutie]

I do not think you can (nor should) equate wanting a Mercedes to wanting a family. How many can truly receive a higher education? You're a college student. You know (or have an idea) what tuition costs even if it's a 2 year college. It's not cheap by any means. So, if a person works 2-3 minimum wage postitions, how do they even attend classes with a work schedule that could be over 50+ hours a week, easily? Many jobs require a weekend.

Community college here in my area costs $3600, $111 per credit. That is for the resident of the state. It's $7000, $336 per credit for out of state residents. Add in $300 process fee and books/supplies between $882-$900. Add all up the working hours, tuition, and trying to find the classes at any possible hour you can attend, it's not so easy on any level.

Yes, a person can save their money until they are financially in a place to have a family. If they are working 2-3 jobs to keep a roof over their head and food on the table, will it ever be possible for anyone to be able to live like others do? I guess not. It's not like many people in this world are out to take advantage of "the system". I think that is a very sad stereotype that has been made. I know for a fact there are really good people out there trying their damnest to get ahead, but are stuck between a rock and a hard place. No matter how they try to change their life/living/working situation.

IMHO

But do you see my point? Having a child/mercedes is not required to have a life. Its a luxury and privilege in my opinion. Just because you 'want' a family doesnt mean you should get it no matter what your financial situation is. You can't get everything you want. Having a family is a beautiful thing....IF you can afford it. Just because you 'want' children but cant afford it...why should i have to pay for them??? How is that fair? I didnt get the opportunity to enjoy the sex that night the baby was conceived...i dont get to love, play, hug, or raise the baby. I never even know the baby exists......how is that fair??? When i have children...i would like to use the money that i work hard for...for my own children, not yours.

The statement that college is too expensive therefore you just cant go is ridiculous. Yes it is expensive to go but there are ways around it. It doesnt mean everyone who goes to college is just rich or comes from a wealthy family. Theres students loans, scholarships or you can even make monthly payments to pay tuition...how much easier does it get? I was also not talking about people in college trying to have children...i meant adults who graduated from college. Working 3 minimum wage jobs is highly possible. I have people in my classes that are working 3 and are still there in class with me. Its not easy...but it can be done. I worked 2 minimum wage jobs during my first year of college and still maintained a 4.0 each semester...its very possible.

 

[Liz]

I'll probably get flamed for my opinion, but I don't believe in minimum wage laws, being imposed on independent buisnesses. IF the federal government or state government wants to legislate minimum wage laws for their employees, that's fine. I say let the market decide. If you want socialism, then move to a socialist country!

 

[believe09]

ahhhh...if you are living on minimum wage you might want to consider using BIRTH CONTROL!!
That goes for the nonworking abusing boyfriend too!

STANG-youch that hurt!!! So in your experience the minimum wagers are the single moms with multiple pregnancies and revolving door boyfriends?

In my section of the world, the minimum wagers are by and large immigrants who are working their way into citizenship or being able to work in their areas of expertise...I once met a shoe salesman who was a part time MIT professor and was a nuclear engineer in his birth country...for example.

Now, what I cannot figure out is how they make their childcare work? Ahhh yes-it's that 2 parent and bring the relatives too that makes it all come together for them.

I genuinely think that this is what we are missing-not the 2 parent family, but the "we are all in this together as a family" thing.....

OOps-I have perhaps strayed off topic...

 

[OrdinaryLife]

But do you see my point? Having a child/mercedes is not required to have a life. Its a luxury and privilege in my opinion. Just because you 'want' a family doesnt mean you should get it no matter what your financial situation is. You can't get everything you want. Having a family is a beautiful thing....IF you can afford it. Just because you 'want' children but cant afford it...why should i have to pay for them??? How is that fair? I didnt get the opportunity to enjoy the sex that night the baby was conceived...i dont get to love, play, hug, or raise the baby. I never even know the baby exists......how is that fair??? When i have children...i would like to use the money that i work hard for...for my own children, not yours.

The statement that college is too expensive therefore you just cant go is ridiculous. Yes it is expensive to go but there are ways around it. It doesnt mean everyone who goes to college is just rich or comes from a wealthy family. Theres students loans, scholarships or you can even make monthly payments to pay tuition...how much easier does it get? I was also not talking about people in college trying to have children...i meant adults who graduated from college. Working 3 minimum wage jobs is highly possible. I have people in my classes that are working 3 and are still there in class with me. Its not easy...but it can be done. I worked 2 minimum wage jobs during my first year of college and still maintained a 4.0 each semester...its very possible.

No, the statement that college is too expensive is not ridiculous. I am paying for *3* college educations. 2 who are out for the last four years and one going into a senior year. Yes, they worked as well. Student loans, scholarships...yeah been there as well. Yes, they also worked. Debt is in the hundreds. That is reality.

So, how does a person who does not have any of these benefits head off to even a community school? Tell me, please. I'm a 50 year old woman and I cannot afford a 2 year college.

 

[believe09]

I'll probably get flamed for my opinion, but I don't believe in minimum wage laws, being imposed on independent buisnesses. IF the federal government or state government wants to legislate minimum wage laws on their employees, that's fine. I say let the market decide. If you want socialism, then move to a socialist country!

OK-interesting idea. What is the benefit to business and the worker??

 

[Liz]

OK-interesting idea. What is the benefit to business and the worker??

Since this is the USA, I think it is supposed to be a capitalistic society. Why should government dictate to independent business or corporations what they should pay their employees?

The benefit to business owners is that they get to take ownership in deciding what to pay their employees, which is the way I think it should be for business owners. Employees are free to work (or not to work) for any employer.

 

[OrdinaryLife]

Since this is the USA, I think it is supposed to be a capitalistic society. Why should government dictate to independent business or corporations what they should pay their employees?

The benefit to business owners is that they get to take ownership in deciding what to pay their employees, which is the way I think it should be for business owners. Employees are free to work (or not to work) for any employer.

So, if an independent employer hires an employee, what would be the fair wage to pay?

 

[Liz]

So, if an independent employer hires an employee, what would be the fair wage to pay?

That would be up to the employer/business owner to decide.

 

[OrdinaryLife]

That would be up to the employer/business owner to decide.

Okay, but there must be some kind of an idea what would be fair to both employer to employee. If the minimum wage is at $6.55 per hour, how much lower would be fair?

I'm truly asking. I'm honestly interested.

 

[kline]

That would be up to the employer/business owner to decide.

Perhaps if business hadnt proven its total and utter disregard for whats even remotely 'fair' to the employee time and time again Govt would never have had to be involved.
The scenario your suggesting would allow business to lowball jobs out to whoever was desperate enough and hungry enough to take 1.00 an hour like some kind of 'Grapes of Wrath' replay.
And dont even try to say that business today wouldnt be that utterly ruthless like their 1930's predecesssors because they certainly would.