Minimum Wage Boost Races Through House

[Kymistry35]

Thanks JanetElaine.

Calus, my mother also worked hard and received raises, but it is hard to get anywhere when you start off at $4.75 an hr. Even as manager she would only earn $6.75. I have a college degree and I still don't make crap, along with the rest of the people in this town where the only jobs readily available are fast food and industrial mills. I would like to know where you think people with no education are going to make high wages.

 

[calus_3]

Thanks JanetElaine.

Calus, my mother also worked hard and received raises, but it is hard to get anywhere when you start off at $4.75 an hr. Even as manager she would only earn $6.75. I have a college degree and I still don't make crap, along with the rest of the people in this town where the only jobs readily available are fast food and industrial mills. I would like to know where you think people with no education are going to make high wages.

Well, local economics can be one of the things that does cause lower wages. Move or get a job in a neighboring area that pays better. I drive an hour plus each way every day to earn the salary I need to pay my bills. I guess I could go to the Kroger around the corner that I could walk to and get a minimum wager, but that won't pay the bills.

I started out at $3.50 an hour some years ago. Nothing I have done has been magic. I didn't think up the next great widget. There were great years and there were lean years.

I never said people earning minimum wage don't work hard or lacked character. No doubt they work hard. They don't need to work hard, they need to work smarter.

$6.75 is much better than $4.75, no?

Cal

 

[Masterj]

Well, local economics can be one of the things that does cause lower wages. Move or get a job in a neighboring area that pays better.

Cal

Riiiight. Because it costs no money for a person to move or have a longer commute. I am sure you realize that areas with higher paying jobs also have higher costs of living.

 

[julianne]

Cal

I know that when I see on the main page that you have been posting in a thread such as this that it will be........ entertaining.

 

[calus_3]

Riiiight. Because it costs no money for a person to move or have a longer commute. I am sure you realize that areas with higher paying jobs also have higher costs of living.

Exactly, which is why commute times around the nation are increasing significantly while people live where they can afford it and work where they get the best salaries. I wish it weren't that way but sitting down in the street and pounding my feet and hands on the pavement isn't going to pay the bills.

Look people.....I am not saying that anything I advocate here is easy. It isn't. Most times, it isn't palatable either.

Cal

 

[calus_3]

Cal

I know that when I see on the main page that you have been posting in a thread such as this that it will be........ entertaining.

I'm always eager to please!

Well, I am certain that if a few members could track me down I might get my eyes clawed out...no doubt about that!

The way I figure it, it is time to stop the cycle of nonsense. It is time to stop telling the chronically enabled, that their circumstances--which most of the time they HATE--are just peachy and that it is the best they can do. I am not trying to demean anyone but if the truth of reality makes you feel bad, you gotta take a look at your life. I have no problem saying what needs to be said.

It sucks being the bad guy...really does. But to tell someone who is completely and totally mismanaging their life that what they are doing is okay, that's not me and it isn't right. So, I speak the truth. For some, that hits home and they get mad at me. I can go on. My hope is that after the skirmish is over and people start thinking about what I said....they will agree.

Because the mouth and fingers wage war at me but the heart of hearts does not lie. Sometimes, the loudest opponents are the ones that know you are right. Change is difficult and scary. But if one person says, "that Cal is a real ass but he was right" and changes their life and the lives of their family, it will have all been worth it.

In this case, relying on the government to manage your pay raises is DUMB.

Winston Churchill said it best......"It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what is required".

Cal

 

[Nova]

The economy is flying right now...there are no shortage of consumers for products.

Your critcal flaw is that your economic models appear to believe that most people are working at minimum wage....they aren't. Minimum wage is set to protect youth from being taken advantage of....it is NOT meant to support an adult and certainly NOT MEANT TO SUPPORT A FAMILY.

You gotta work pretty damned hard at screwing up your life in virtually every area to end up on minimum wage as an adult. You have to kick that work ethic up to an even greater level....BAM....to continue to stay at minimum wage for more than a few months. That's dedication, foks.

Cal

Cal, you really need to get out more. Protecting part-time youth workers may be one purpose of minimum wage laws, but it isn't the only one.

Where I live, some of the primary beneficiaries of minimum wage laws are senior workers, who need to work to supplement their Social Security and Medicare. I'm pretty sure you don't want these seniors to be on welfare instead.

And if you think - as you apparently do - that everyone is compensated with precise equivalence to his or her cleverness and diligence, you haven't spent much time in the American workforce over the past 25 years.

But as for your argument above - "BALONEY!" - well, you got me there. How insightful...

 

[calus_3]

Cal, you really need to get out more. Protecting part-time youth workers may be one purpose of minimum wage laws, but it isn't the only one.

Where I live, some of the primary beneficiaries of minimum wage laws are senior workers, who need to work to supplement their Social Security and Medicare. I'm pretty sure you don't want these seniors to be on welfare instead.

And if you think - as you apparently do - that everyone is compensated with precise equivalence to his or her cleverness and diligence, you haven't spent much time in the American workforce over the past 25 years.

But as for your argument above - "BALONEY!" - well, you got me there. How insightful...

Yeah, you did get me there...I admit it. Old people are also beneficiaries of the wage hike and for them I do support the hike. Maybe put an age restriction on where those under 18 and those above 60 get the hike but everyone else doesn't. Not a bad idea there.

I have been in the work for for the past 23 years and throwing out the few exceptions, I can GUARANTEE you that people are hired and compensated based on their abilities and experience. Now whether they live up to those talents, that's a different story.

Cal

 

[Nova]

Yeah, you did get me there...I admit it. Old people are also beneficiaries of the wage hike and for them I do support the hike. Maybe put an age restriction on where those under 18 and those above 60 get the hike but everyone else doesn't. Not a bad idea there.

I have been in the work for for the past 23 years and throwing out the few exceptions, I can GUARANTEE you that people are hired and compensated based on their abilities and experience. Now whether they live up to those talents, that's a different story.

Cal

WS doesn't have enough storage space for me to list all the exceptions I've personally witnessed over the years.

Your conclusion that people are hired/fired and compensated with precise fairness requires that people with power always make rational decisions. You and I both know that isn't true.

But I don't want to give you the impression that my view is completely opposite to yours. I agree that people should work hard and use the brains they've got and that if they do, in general, they and everyone else will be better off.

 

[calus_3]

WS doesn't have enough storage space for me to list all the exceptions I've personally witnessed over the years.

Your conclusion that people are hired/fired and compensated with precise fairness requires that people with power always make rational decisions. You and I both know that isn't true.

But I don't want to give you the impression that my view is completely opposite to yours. I agree that people should work hard and use the brains they've got and that if they do, in general, they and everyone else will be better off.

Well, at least we agree on something!

Cal

 

[JanetElaine]

I don't have to know anything about you.

If I lost my job today and couldn't find anything else doing anything else but stocking shelves at Wal Mart for minimum wage...I would certainly do it. I don't fault anyone for starting at minimum wage. But you can bet your butt I would be working like a dog, working extra hours, learning to do more than one thing, asking for new responsibilities, etc. Anything to advance myself. The first job that came open for a cashier, I would take it. Then I would go to a shift manager or something better. I certainly wouldn't stay there.

Advancing yourself and bettering yourself isn't a trait of the rich, the educated, or the lucky.

The truth hurts sometimes, don't shoot the messenger. Instead of being angry at me for telling the truth, use that anger to advance yourself.

Cal

Maybe for you, advancing yourself is making more money and working longer hours. Other people have different values.

And I am not angry at all.... in fact I am having a ton of fun with this. I can just imagine how you picture me and my family and I am 100% certain that you are 100% off.... lol.
If you feel like it, please give me a description of what you think how me/my family live and how we got to be here. Honest, I am typing this with a big smile on my face and would like to hear it, just for chits and giggles.

You say the truth hurts sometimes, well it sure didn't hurt me.... BUT.... it may just be your truth.... and not everybody's truth. That's why you'd need to know more about me before you can make such sweeping statements and be right.
That's why I said you don't live in the real world, because you don't seem to see that not all people are alike, and different people have different values and goals, and different reasons for doing things the way they do them. Know what I'm sayin'?

Making more than minimum wage wouldn't mean an advancement for me as a person at all, and neither would it make me a better person.

Looking forward to your reply! (Really).

 

[Nova]

Maybe for you, advancing yourself is making more money and working longer hours. Other people have different values.

Thanks, Janet. I was afraid to mention to Cal that I spent more than 10 years in higher education to qualify for a job that paid less than I was already making.

 

[JanetElaine]

If you are an adult and are making minimum wage, there is something significantly flawed about your life and what you have been doing with it. You need to get on the BALL and improve yourself and your circumstances. Don't give me the "you don't understand" nonsense. It is true and you know it.

Cal

No, it isn't true. And you do not understand. Because there are so many possibilities in people's lives that you, nor I, could even begin to think of them all.

For someone who is your identical DNA twin, I am sure your theory is the truth.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Ya'll are getting a little personal on this thread, no????? Besides, aren't most of you supposed to be at work? You're getting paid to argue about minimum wage? Shame on you!!! LOL

 

[JanetElaine]

Ya'll are getting a little personal on this thread, no????? Besides, aren't most of you supposed to be at work? You're getting paid to argue about minimum wage? Shame on you!!! LOL

Oh Jeana please don't throw a lock on this thread! Isn't this what discussions are all about? I'm just only getting warmed up! LOL

I will remain civil though... if you catch me at being un-civil, well I don't need to tell you, but feel free to kick my butt (or send me a warning, whichever is your policy lol).

And besides, I've been off work for an hour already.... no computer access there, anyway!

 

[czechmate7]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Ya'll are getting a little personal on this thread, no????? Besides, aren't most of you supposed to be at work? You're getting paid to argue about minimum wage? Shame on you!!! LOL

My work hasn't yet figured out "Websleuths" site doesn't have anything to do with the medical field !! :silenced:

 

[Nova]

Ya'll are getting a little personal on this thread, no????? Besides, aren't most of you supposed to be at work? You're getting paid to argue about minimum wage? Shame on you!!! LOL

I'm not sure if you meant me, but if I stepped over the line I am sorry. Calus and I sometimes get a little assertive with each other, but I'm pretty sure neither of us takes it personally.

Still, if I'm contributing to a unwelcome "tone," I apologize.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

I'm not sure if you meant me, but if I stepped over the line I am sorry. Calus and I sometimes get a little assertive with each other, but I'm pretty sure neither of us takes it personally.

Still, if I'm contributing to a unwelcome "tone," I apologize.

You all seem to be handling it well. I'm just trying to save the thread. I think all short of name calling should be ok.

 

[calus_3]

Maybe for you, advancing yourself is making more money and working longer hours. Other people have different values.

And I am not angry at all.... in fact I am having a ton of fun with this. I can just imagine how you picture me and my family and I am 100% certain that you are 100% off.... lol.
If you feel like it, please give me a description of what you think how me/my family live and how we got to be here. Honest, I am typing this with a big smile on my face and would like to hear it, just for chits and giggles.

You say the truth hurts sometimes, well it sure didn't hurt me.... BUT.... it may just be your truth.... and not everybody's truth. That's why you'd need to know more about me before you can make such sweeping statements and be right.
That's why I said you don't live in the real world, because you don't seem to see that not all people are alike, and different people have different values and goals, and different reasons for doing things the way they do them. Know what I'm sayin'?

Making more than minimum wage wouldn't mean an advancement for me as a person at all, and neither would it make me a better person.

Looking forward to your reply! (Really).

Well, lots to talk about here...

First, let me clarify the statements I made previously. If you CHOOSE to take a minimum wage job...because, for instance, you need a job that lets you work while the kids are in school--that is one thing. If you take a MW job to allow you to take care of a sick relative--that is another. If you have absolutely no other options in your life and are using a minimum wage job as a means to raise a family of four--as an adult--something is desperately wrong.

When I make these statements, I don't do so as a "hey, I am better than all of you", I make them as wearing my career counselor hat.

As for goals and objectives and style of each person, sure I understand that. I could make a LOT more money in my company if I were willing to travel...but I don't want to miss my family. It's all about choices. However, given that, if something in my life changed and I needed some significant income boost, a travelin I would go.

You mentioned in another post...about how I viewed your family...but then you deleted it. But since I saw it, I get to reply.

I would guess that you are a mother of three children....two boys and a girl. I would imagine that you are newly divorced (within three years). You probably are an outstanding mother and somewhat of a firecracker! :innocent: I envision you as a redhead with green eyes and are probably tall and thin. Am I close?

 

[JanetElaine]

Hmm yeah, it probably would have been nice of me to apologize as well. If I stepped over the line somewhere I apologize as well, Jeana.
I'm sorry I was too braindead to do this right away and instead went on the whole 'awwww don't lock it' routine.

Sincerely,
JanetElaine